| In this day and age virtually everyone seems to shop | | | | rating of at lest 98.5% or greater, then you should |
| online; it is as common as drinking a cup of coffee it | | | | seriously consider moving on. Generally if a person |
| seems. Ecommerce truly has come a long way over | | | | has a feedback rating lower than that, then there is |
| the years, and it is only getting more secure as time | | | | probably a good reason for that, and obviously many |
| goes on. However, I still hear a good deal of stories | | | | of their customers had a bad experience with them. |
| about people getting ripped off when buying | | | | Another important thing to consider when buying on |
| electronics online, especially on eBay. This is mainly | | | | eBay, is the return policy, which is always listed in the |
| the case when you buy used electronics, especially | | | | auction details. Certain items, such as the Chinese |
| used computers, which often end up having worn | | | | made electric airsoft guns, for example, have a really |
| out, failing hard drives, or don't even have the original | | | | high defect rate, so knowing the return policy |
| hardware in them that they shipped with. | | | | BEFORE you buy is highly recommended. Also, look |
| Basically you are pretty safe purchasing electronics | | | | for the item location in the top right of the auction |
| from most of the big online retail stores | | | | screen; this will tell you where the item is being |
| (walmart.com, bestbuy.com, staples.com, and so on). | | | | shipped from, which determines how fast you will get |
| However, it is places like craigslist.org and eBay that | | | | it. |
| you have to be a bit more cautious about, at least | | | | Lastly, be sure to fully read an auction description |
| when purchasing electronics. But know this: these are | | | | before you make a purchase. Unfortunately eBay is |
| probably the 2 cheapest places you will ever find on | | | | rather notorious for having sellers that use somewhat |
| the internet for the most part. However, if you do | | | | (or sometimes downright) misleading auction titles, |
| not use a good deal of caution, and a good amount | | | | especially when it comes to electronics. Basically just |
| of common sense, then even if you do get a great | | | | be sure that there are no hidden surprises buried |
| deal, it still will not be worth much if you get a | | | | within the details of an auction description (especially |
| broken piece of hardware. | | | | the longer ones). For example, look for defects or |
| We will just cover eBay in this article, since Craigslist | | | | flaws in a product, which is rarely ever mentioned in |
| doesn't generally offer many electric based products. | | | | the auction title. In other words, it is just a matter of |
| The most important thing to look for by far when | | | | common sense, and reading the fine print; if you |
| using eBay, is the user feedback rating of the person | | | | follow this simple rule, you will be safe 99% of the |
| you are purchasing from. If they don't have a | | | | time or more. |
| feedback of at least 100 or more, and a positive | | | | |