Make a smart, safe purchase on eBay by following these tips.

• Do your reseach.

• Consider your buying options.

• Plan for paying for your purchase, including using PayPal.

Do your research

Learn all you can about the item. Read the item description carefully. Do you understand details about P&P, insurance and payment options? Avoid making assumptions about details that aren't included in the description.

Check the seller's Feedback. From the item page, click the number in brackets after the seller's User ID. You'll see what other buyers have had to say about doing business with the seller.

Ask the seller questions. If you have any questions or are unsure about something, get in touch by clicking the seller's user ID or the "Ask seller a question" link on the item listing page. Common questions include "Do you accept returns?" and "How do you deliver the item?" If you have bid on an item and are having a problem communicating with a seller through email, you can request the seller's contact information.

Research the item's value. Look at similar completed eBay listings using the completed listings search. You can also visit online shops that sell similar items and ask friends to help determine what the item is worth.

Make sure the item is legal and allowed. If you have any doubts as to whether the item you're interested in is allowed, check eBay's policies on prohibited, questionable and infringing items.

Consider your buying options

Determine the maximum amount that you're willing to pay for the item. Take into consideration how much you want the item, how difficult it will be for you to find another one and how soon you need it. Then decide the highest price that you're willing to pay.

Understand what entering a maximum bid means. eBay's bidding system allows you to enter your maximum bid once and the system will automatically increase your bid only as much as is needed for you to stay the highest bidder. Remember, each bid you place enters you into a binding contract. All bids are active until the auction ends. If you win a listing, you’re obligated to complete the transaction.

Make every bid a serious one. Don't bid on multiple similar items from different sellers if you only want one, because you may be the winning bidder in more than one auction.

Consider Buy It Now. Does the listing you're interested in have a Buy It Now option? If so, consider whether you are willing to pay the Buy It Now price in order to guarantee that you get the item without having to wait for an auction to end.

Look for the PayPal Buyer Protection symbol. When you pay with PayPal for an item that displays this symbol in the listing, you are eligible for up to £500.00 Buyer Protection at no additional cost in the event that you do not receive the item, or that the item you receive is significantly not as described.

Consider Best Offer. If the seller offers the Best Offer feature, then you can think of a price that you believe would be the best price for both you and the seller and make an offer for that amount. In some categories, you and the seller can counteroffer each other until you come to a price you both agree on.

Plan ahead for winning and paying

Ensure your contact information and email address is up to date. Check your personal information to make sure it is correct. Also, check that any "spam" blocking software that you have installed does not limit a seller from communicating with you.

Plan for alternative computer access. If you have computer or connection problems, or need to be away from your computer, you can access your eBay account using any computer with internet access. For example, you can monitor your bids through My eBay using the computer at your friend’s house or your local library.

Enable desktop alerts to monitor items. You can receive alerts for items you're bidding on or watching that are ending soon, outbid alerts when you're no longer the high bidder so that you can bid again, and Second Chance Offers on items you didn't win.

Pay with PayPal. After winning a bid use PayPal to pay for your item. PayPal enables you to send payments quickly and securely online using a credit card or bank account. For information, see Sending Payments with PayPal.

Enjoy bidding and buying on eBay!

• Contacting Your Seller

• After Purchasing Your Item

• Knowing the Rules for Buyers

• Avoiding Transaction Problems (for Buyers)

If you're looking for more help or have a question to ask, contact us.