eGads! Can we trust online auction sites like eBay?

Wednesday, 13 July 2011 20:00

Dear Larry,

I was wondering what you knew about eBay auctions. Are they safe? —N.B.

Dear N.B.,

The primary role of eBay and similar Web sites is to bring together buyers and sellers in an open marketplace by facilitating the bidding process. But not surprisingly, these sites end up serving a significantly broader purpose: They also link up individuals with similar interests — antique lovers, collectors, electronics enthusiasts, you name it.

Since its start in 1995, eBay (ebay.com) has become by far the most popular of all the auction sites on the World Wide Web. According to eBay, its registered user population completes billions of dollars of transactions every year. Of course, popularity is exactly what an auction Web site is all about. Popularity attracts more buyers, which attract more sellers, which attract — you get the picture.

eBay’s statistics are certainly impressive. They boast a “catalog” consisting of hundreds of thousands of categories and hundreds of millions of items on sale on any given day, ranging from the rare to the mundane to the oddball. Fortunately, the site’s strong search engine makes it simple to find what you’re looking for. A recent visit to eBay revealed a circa 1910 Teddy Bear, a 19th Century French clock, a 1909 edition of Gulliver’s Travels, two center orchestra seats to “Wicked” on Broadway, a pearl bracelet, a 60-inch plasma TV, a jersey autographed by Wayne Gretsky, and an assortment of Mary Kay cosmetics. What’s your fancy?

While the great majority of transactions turn out just fine, eBay doesn’t actually participate in the consummation of transactions. It also doesn’t assist in verifying the authenticity of anything sold on its site, though it does offer some fraud protection. One way in which eBay makes this happen is in its never-ending quest to encourage honesty, trustworthiness and courtesy among its membership. It also maintains a sophisticated and extensive rating system that makes it easy to judge the credibility of a buyer or seller by seeing how others have rated them based on past transactions. You may even access the ratings of the people doing the rating.

For newcomers, eBay offers a walk-through tutorial that handholds the most naïve of its subscribers. Bidding, which typically “carries on” over a seven-day period, is made trouble-free. When you bid on an item, eBay will also keep secret your maximum offer so you don’t have to remain online 24 hours a day. As the auction progresses, eBay will keep you in the bidding up to your maximum bidding limit. Just be careful that you don’t overbid by getting caught up in all the online exhilaration and tumult.

Whether you’re looking to beef up your collection of Hummels, doing some last minute bargain hunting, searching for a friend or mate with similar interests, or selling your fine art via the fine art of a public auction, head on over to eBay.com, if only for a taste.

Just don’t quit your day job. This is Larry Schneider, logging off.

Larry Schneider is the owner of Accent on Computers, a Greenwich-based consulting firm catering to individuals, businesses and professional offices. PC and Mac services include computer setup, training, troubleshooting, virus resolution, networking, Internet, database and programming. Call 203-625-7575, visit Accentoncomputers.com, or send e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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