If you are eyeing on the latest android phone, smartwatch or tablet but do not want to get ripped off by the high price just because it’s the latest, turning to eBay could be the key to getting your hands on that shiny new gadget. When you decide to buy a tech item from eBay, you need to make sure you know as much as you can about who you are buying from. Deals on brand new computers, TVs and other gadgets on eBay are often at a price lower than most places you’ll ever see; you just need to know how to separate the good from the bad. Some retailers and manufacturers are selling refurbished gadgets through this online marketplace at a discounted price so you could bag yourself a bargain without having to break the bank. 

Don’t worry, you will have the same rights

Any item bought from eBay’s refurbished tech hub comes with a 12-month warranty just as a brand new gadget would, so there’s no need to worry should the item run into a problem. If you using PayPal to make payment, you will be covered by eBay’s money back guarantee. This means if the item doesn’t arrive, they’ll make sure you get your money back or a replacement. Do check the returns policy in case you change your mind about a purchase.

Do your research

Seller ratings and reviews are not enough. While some reviews can be legitimate from actual buyers, others may not.  A positive review could have been made by the friend of the seller, and negative one might be the ramblings of someone who didn’t understand what it was he was buying or is blaming the retailer for something beyond their control. Thus, the rule of thumb is if the name of the seller is not one you recognize, do some research.

Always do a price check

Not every seller, retailer or manufacturer is offering deals on eBay. Whatever the price, do a quick Google and Amazon search to make sure you are getting the best deal on that particular item.

Check the condition

Right under the title of a product, eBay lists the condition of the item.  If you are only interested in brand new items, make sure to check the condition section. It can be easy to overlook this if you are not being diligent. If you have no issue with buying refurbished or used products, make sure you know what you are buying.

Shipping your items from eBay

Shipping policies and practices can be overwhelming to those new to online shopping. It’s not as difficult as it might seem. Many eBay sellers and buyers use Shiply to transport tech. Shiply is an online shipment marketplace that connects shipping companies and customers. Shiply is a green company as they empower shipping companies to maximize spare vehicle space (thus reducing harmful CO2 emissions by reducing the number of otherwise wasteful trips), all while providing users with the best possible price for their shipment. You can learn more about Shiply before you pay for your tech items on eBay.

Happy shopping!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert “Bob” Reyes is a technologist, an ICT Consultant and Tech Speaker, a certified Google IT Support Specialist, and an Open Source advocate representing the global non-profit Mozilla (makers of Firefox) in the Philippines. Bob is a Technology Columnist for the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation and an aviation subject matter expert contributor for Spot.PH.

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