Does the Recession Mean Better eBay Deals?

However, there are still some items that haven’t gone down in price. Shawn Crandall, at Dave and Adam’s Card World, one the largest sellers on eBay, pointed out that bidding competition largely depends on the type of items buyers want: “There has been a lot of stories on ‘steals’ or ‘great deals’ found on eBay. For single, non-vintage cards overall there are a lot of great buying opportunities for collectors. [But] for many of the items we sell that are listed with a straight bidding format, we have seen a little decreased demand but overall we have not dropped prices in response to this. Some items sell for more than they would have a year or two ago.”

Buyers should also beware of prices that seem too low. Sometimes there is a reason for a seeming steal of a deal. A seller whose eBay store creates a low overhead situation, as well as a wholesaler, can afford to charge lower prices than competitors online and off. However, some merchandise is so cheap because it is damaged, a knock-off, or a second. When buying on eBay, you need to be careful. Reviewing feedback about a seller is one way to determine trustworthiness.

If you are truly determined to win an eBay auction, and you are still running into some competition, there are some measures you can adopt to increase your chances. Bidding odd amounts ($15.07 instead of $15), using a proxy bid to automatically raise the bid each time someone surpasses you and sniping an auction (watching until the final moments and swooping in at the end) can all increase your chances of winning.

Avoiding eBay? Here Are Five Sites You Need to Know About

5 Places to Find Good Toys Cheap

—For the best rates on loans, bank accounts and credit cards, enter your ZIP code at BankingMyWay.com.