Burial plots, porcelain babies and of course, used underwear can all be found on the retail giant eBay. So, for this year’s holiday shopping, you may be surprised when I encourage you to give eBay Canada a shot. The site, while still playing host to a variety of bizarre secondhand items, now sells more new and fixed-price items than anything else. Many of these new items come directly from the retailers or from one of eBay Canada’s designer collaborations.
“The new eBay is very different than what our heritage is,” says eBay Canada’s country manager Andrea Stairs. “Increasingly we see ourselves as a partner to retail, allowing traditional retail to access a whole other set of customers.”
For the 2012 holiday season, the company enlisted high-end designers Billy Reid, Chris Benz, Tibi, Ruffian and more to create exclusive pieces for the eBay Holiday Collective.
On display in Toronto until Saturday, Nov. 17, eBay is presenting their holiday collection alongside a variety of other new and used luxury goods found on the website. Using the slogan, “shop when inspired,” the shop’s staff (mainly PR) is encouraging guests to use the eBay mobile app. Each product has a coordinating QR code that visitors can scan to purchase or bid on the item in real time. The eBay pop-up-shop will be open 24 hours a day in front of the Windsor Arms Hotel off of Bloor Street in Yorkville.
Exclusive to Canada and Toronto, the pop-up shop is only one of the many promotions and extras that eBay Canada has planned specifically for their national audience. For purveyors of fashion, the site’s brand new Canada-only feature, Sample Row, offers designer apparel at a sample sale price. The items, many of which come from overstocked retailers, are all new and guaranteed to be authentic, says the company’s PR manager Megan Vickell. In January, the company will release its Valentine’s Day jewelry collection for which they enlisted three Canadian jewelry designers to create exclusive pieces just for eBay.
eBay Canada Holiday Pop-Up Shop in Yorkville
Pop-Up Shop allows visitors to scan QR codes to explore product listings
Regardless of the changes, shopping on eBay can still be intimidating; seller legitimacy, product quality and purchase procedures are all things to consider when buying or bidding on an item. To help you navigate the waters, I’ve come up with some tips and asked Andrea Stairs for her advice on getting the most out of your eBay experience.
Specifiy your searches
Browsing through the more than 350 million live listings can be overwhelming. The best way to find what you’re looking for is to gradually specify your searches. Most items won’t be categorized to a T, so if you’re looking for the best deal, begin with a broad search. If you’re looking for a specific brand item, then search for the brand, if not, begin with a broad term like “boots”. Next, narrow down the categories on the left-hand menu. Then, specify the condition, price, size and other options in the same menu. Here you can also choose if you want to bid on an item or just see items with the “buy it now” fixed-price option. If this doesn’t narrow down the search to a reasonable number, then add some more keywords.
Use keywords
When you find something you like or if you already have something in mind, look for specific keywords that will yield similar results. Many overseas sellers won’t use terms that you’re used to. For example, the search “Round Collar” will yield far more results than “Peter Pan Collar”.
Listen to what the price tells you
Many goods that are manufactured overseas will be cheaper in price, but also cheaper in quality. For a first-time buyer, Stairs recommends beginning with a mid-range price point. “Don’t start with a $.99 item…things are worth what they’re worth; you’ll be disappointed,” she says.
Sort, sort, sort
Add your price preference to the left-hand menu, and then sort the results by lowest price first to see the best deals within your budget.
Another great way to sort the search is by “ending soonest” if you’re bidding, so you don’t have to wait to get what you want. Most items are listed for 7-10 days, so if an item says it has 6 days left, expect the bids to go up between now and then.
When you find an item you like, click on it to review the listing. “Make sure that you read the listing and understand the shipping,” says Stairs.
Pay attention to shipping
I mainly search products with free shipping so there are no surprises later on. Some sellers will offer combined shipping, which is usually written somewhere in the listing. The listing will also include the seller’s return policy and more details about the product. Take note of the estimated delivery date. Some items can take more than 30 days to arrive, so make sure the item will be delivered on time.
“If you have any questions, email the seller,” says Stairs. “eBay sellers know that buyers contact them and they’re willing to provide more details.”
Target top sellers
Stairs also suggests sticking to the top sellers. These sellers have been evaluated by eBay staff and buyers to ensure that they’re reputable and reliable. The seller will have a “Top Rated Plus” seal beside their name on the top right of a listing.
Clicking on a seller’s name displays their feedback and an “Items for sale” button to browse their other listings.
Paypal is your friend
When you’ve decided on an item and are ready to purchase, Stairs recommends using Paypal. Paypal offers full refunds if, by some chance, the product does not arrive or is not as described. I’ve personally dealt with Paypal and the service was excellent. They really stand by their refund policy.
eBay really is the website where you can find anything and everything; from children’s toys to Birkin bags. Give it a try for yourself or for the holidays. Visit the pop-up shop to learn more about eBay mobile and to ask the staff any questions you may have about the site.
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Mollie Paige writes for the Toronto Standard. You can follow her on twitter @MolliePB
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