Auction Sites - How to Bag Yourself an Online Bargain!

By Shirlene Moore

It always makes me laugh when I see a product (for example a portable telephone), going for about $5 more on an auction site than you're paying in the retail shops.

Why does this happen? People get so excited, when they find something that's a good buy, they just "have to have it". If a few people are in this boat, all of a sudden (normally at the end of the auction) they enter a bidding war - the end result is that the seller gets a great price for his product, and the buyer could have driven 2 minutes down the road & picked the product up at the shops - saving on both delivery time, delivery costs & money.

So... how do you avoid this, and how do you ensure that you really get a good bargain online?

Well there is only one way really - research. Even if you spend a day researching - at least know what it is you want to buy, and around about how much it costs. If you want a portable phone - check out how much a portable phone is at the shops (check the online shops & let your fingers do the walking), and then set your maximum price.

For example - if a phone is going for $45 at the shops, decide on a figure of $35 (remember you are going to have to pay for shipping as well - you don't want to pay $40 for a phone, then $5 shipping).

Then... go to the auction sites, find your phone (preferably find those that are due to finish sooner rather than later), and put it on your watchlist. Shortly before the auction is due to finish come back & place your bid - that way you are less likely to be involved in a bidding war. Even if someone does bid against you - stick to your original price. If they bid $36 - leave it at that - don't go that extra $2, because then you're going to be paying more at the shops (and don't forget - buying off auction sites, means you normally don't get warranties - so if you're looking at the same price, the shop is the way to go).

Another way to get an online bargain is too constantly keep an eye on the closing $1 auctions. You need to know the approximate values of products - but if something looks like a good buy - go for it - even if it's a dud, you can always stick it back on the auction site for $1 - someone else is sure to pick it up! When you are doing this, don't forget to check out the shipping (I recently got stung $40 for shipping, on a $1 auction when I forgot to see what the shipping costs were).

So... hope you found a few good tips in there - happy bidding!

Shirlene

Grizzlynut - Online shops for New Zealand

Shirlene owns an online shopping network in New Zealand. At http://www.grizzlynut.co.nz you will find thousands of online shops, freebies, wholesale sources, games, dating, contests & more.