Take Advantage Of Slow

eBay Auctions

Knowing when to bid is the key. Many auctions bring in a huge number bids while others get few or none. And the slower the action, the better for the buyer.

For one thing, you are sure to notice that summer is the slowest season online. Plus, there are generally more sellers than buyers these days. This creates many Ebay buying opportunities for you.

Take Time To Bid

Once you place your bid, others know that you are interested. And, that may make them interested too. Leave the bidding alone until you can wait no longer. It will help to keep the price down and you can come on in at the very last second and often walk away with a steal.

Offer Something

Sometimes sellers use the "buy it now" option, which is one of Ebays features. If the auction is almost over and no one has bid, use the Best Offer service to make them an offer. They probably have had the item on 2 or 3 times before and would love to get rid of it. They will accept your offer so they won't have to do it again.

Other Buyers Are Your Friends

Let's say there are 2 auctions for the same thing. If you and another buyer are both after the same item, why not email them and ask them to choose which one they want. That way, you can avoid raising the price of both auctions. Make a few friends and you can work together on auctions long term, taking turns to bid.

It's Okay To Be A Snob

Take the time to send the seller emails with questions. Make sure they realize that you are looking for a high quality product. This will help them feel better about selling the item to you even for less.

Market Forces

There are at present too many sellers on Ebay. This means you can get common items at very low prices. This will eventually force some sellers out of business. But when that happens, it will bring the supply versus demand back into balance.

Bulk On Ebay

If the auctions are slow, and sellers have stock that they've held for a long time, take the opportunity to purchase in bulk. Tell them you'll take 10 items off their hands, if they cut you a deal. You can save yourself quite a bit of money this way.

All of these things can help you become a better Ebay buyer. Look for the right auctions and bid right and you will save a good deal of money in the long run.