eBay is a treasure trove of unique finds at affordable prices and it has been an indispensable source for furnishing my flat. However, it can be a daunting and overwhelming place, so here is my guide to successful eBay shopping.
STEP 1 - KNOW WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR
eBay isn’t a source of inspiration for how you’re going to furnish and decorate your home. Be specific; have a clear idea in mind of what you’re looking for so that your search words are targeted and concise. Try out different search words until you find the combination that delivers you the best results. For example, if you’re looking for a 50s floor lamp, you could play around with these search words: retro, vintage, standing lamp, floor lamp, 50s, lamp, floor lamp, second hand, antique, iconic.
STEP 2 - SCROLL DOWN AND SCROLL SOME MORE
There are billions of products on eBay. This can make it a time consuming activity, but if you maintain a dogged search ethic, you’re certain to reap the rewards. Those diamonds in the rough will be found with persistence and perseverance. Keep scrolling through the pages of search results until you stumble across those hidden gems.
STEP 3 - LET EBAY HELP YOU
Make use of eBay’s features; create watch lists and email alerts, scroll down to ‘people who viewed this item also viewed’ and other related finds, follow your favourite sellers. Using these features will reveal the hardest of finds.
STEP 4 - BE OPEN MINDED
Don’t always expect to find the finished article. Furniture can be reupholstered, repainted and even repaired (though do be careful not to buy anything too damaged or irreparable). A well made, Victorian armchair can be reupholstered; still costing the fraction of the price therefore, of a brand new armchair of inferior quality!
STEP 5 - LOCATION
Don’t be put off by the location of an item or items which are too far away and “Collection only”. Sellers select this option because they don’t want to have to take things to the post office. Use a local courier company to collect. You can book a man and a van quickly and easily using www.anyvan.com. Local couriers will collect and deliver anything these days and it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.
STEP 6 - WHEN TO BID
Decide on your maximum bid before the end of the auction, but save placing it until the very last moment. Place it with 10 seconds to go; this will leave little to no time for someone else to place a counter bid. Equally, if you place your top bid but it isn’t high enough, at least you will know that you couldn’t have done any more.
N.B. Set an alarm or timer to notify you that the end of the auction is approaching, and make sure that you have good phone or internet signal, ready to be able to place your bid at the crucial moment! There is nothing worse than losing out on something that has been on your watch list for weeks because of a poor internet connection or simply because you missed the auction!
Good luck and happy bidding!
