The ABCs Of Bidding

And Buying On EBay

Wherever you go, and whoever you talk to, you're probably hearing about people getting great deals on items they buy through eBay. If you're ready to try your hand, here's your chance to learn more.

Exactly What Is An eBay?

It's an online auction website, and not just any auction site -- eBay is the biggest one in the world. If you know how an auction works, then you already know roughly how eBay works. Someone puts something they want to sell on the site, and then buyers come along and place bids on it. The highest bid wins the item! It's that simple version.

Being an online auction makes eBay a bit different, though. Buying and selling are not reserved for high-ticket items. eBay accepts almost any item, no matter how small, and will then advertise it on their sites all over the world. It's a powerful combination of an orderly upscale auction and a chaotic marketplace on the streets of Marrakesh.

How Does Bidding On eBay Work?

When you place a bid, you are making an offer to pay a certain amount for an item on sale in an auction. Bidding on eBay is a little more complex than a normal auction. On eBay, you enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay for each item, and then eBay places the bids on your behalf. You could enter a maximum bid of $100 for something, and end up paying only $25, if that was the highest maximum bid anyone else placed.

The best introduction to eBay is to dive in and give it a try. First, you want to go to the eBay website for your country. If you don't know the address, just go to www.ebay.com and you will find it. Once you have the front page of your country's website, you should see a big box marked "esearch." Just type into the box anything that you'd like to buy; say -- an opal ring.

When you enter an item, the website gives you a list of opal rings for sale, along with how much people are currently bidding for them, and the time when bidding ends for each item. Click on each of the listed items, and you can read the description. If you find an item you want, and are willing to pay more than the current highest bidder, then you enter your maximum bid.

How Can I Buy What I Want?

On the item's description page, scroll down to the bottom and type the maximum you are willing to pay (your maximum bid) into the box. Then simply click the "eplace bid" button (you will need to sign in once you press the button, or go through a quick registration process to get an eBay username).

eBay will let you know if someone else's maximum bid on that item is higher than yours, and you'll have an opportunity to change your bid. Otherwise, you're now the new highest bidder! You can sit back and wait until the end of the auction. Meanwhile, if someone else outbids you, eBay will notify you by email, and you can revise your bid.

Sounds like a fabulous and effortless shopping experience, doesn't it? Now, if you're ready, it's time to jump into the eBay.