How to spot the good eBay sellers and steer clear of the bad

Buying authentic designer handbags on eBay can be a harrowing experience. While there are great deals to be had, there are just as many bad ones. Since the new year eBay has cracked down on the counterfeit listings, however, the problem is far from resolved. The real burden falls on sellers and buyers respectively to not support the counterfeit industry. Handbag replicas are getting so good that many times it is a matter of ignorance on the buyer or sellers part. This guide will give some general guidelines for new ebayers on avoiding fake handbags.

So, you've found that handbag that has to be yours. Ok, stay away from the Buy It Now button! There are some simple steps you can take to make sure you will get what you pay for. First, check the sellers feedback. To give you a reference, powersellers must maintain a feedback score of 98% or better. Does this mean you shouldn't buy from a seller with a lower feedback score? It depends. It is sometimes possible to find the cause of the negative feedback, especially if it has anything to do with selling handbags. Obviously, you want to watch for phrases like "sold fake bag" and the like. If there is any question, contact the seller.

I must mention something here regarding feedback. Let me say first that I think a feedback score is very important and I support the system. However, there is one unavoidable flaw in the system: If you give a negative feedback, it is fairly likely, siding certain situations, you will receive the same. When you come across a transaction where both parties left negative feedback, there is a good chance that one party was more in the wrong, and the other did not deserve the negative feedback. Sometimes sellers with a solid positive score will "take one for team" and leave deserved negative feedback for a faulty buyer knowing they will receive the same. This is certainly not always the case, but something to keep in mind. That being said, there are plenty of sellers to choose from with perfect, or near perfect feedback; though this in and of itself does not guarantee authenticity.

Always check a sellers policies. Not doing so can land you in a lot of trouble. Always look for a return policy; most good sellers will offer one. If you are buying a "sold as is" product, be very sure of your purchase. Also, check the payment options and see if they are right for you. Opening a paypal account is a must. Some sellers only take paypal, and it does offer a degree of buyer protection.

Avoid sellers with private auctions and feedback. There are certain situations that may call for a private auction, selling a handbag is not one of them. Feedback is there for a good reason; making it private, probably not for a good reason. Enough said. Also, use extreme caution or completely avoid 1 day listings.

When looking at a listing, evaluate the photos (there needs to be photos by the way). A good seller should post many good photographs. Be wary of single stock (photos from the brands website) photos. Dishonest sellers will post a stock photo and send you a fake item. If you see a photo of a bag that is definitely authentic, but it is selling for $100, you can probably assume you won't get an authentic handbag. A stock photo among pictures taken by the seller is fine. A stock photo does not always mean a dishonest seller, but it is something to consider in your overall impression.

If there is anything left to question, i.e. not covered in the policies or a blurry photo, contact the seller. Also, many times identifying characteristics such as serial numbers and logos etc are hard to see in a photo. Do not leave it to chance. Also, save all your correspondence until you are completely finished with the transaction if there is any question of authenticity.

Look at a sellers other listings. If you see something questionable, use caution. Also, be wary of sellers that are selling large amounts of hard to get handbags or accessories.

And finally, probably the most common piece of advice you will hear on ebay: If its to good to be true, it probably is.

Good luck with all your purchases! For tips on selling handbags on eBay click here.