EBAY is one of the most popular online marketplaces, whether you’re buying or selling there’s always bargains to be bagged or cash to be earned.
The website is a treasure trove for unwanted items like rare coins, clothes and furniture.
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There really is something for everyone, no matter if you’re buying just for you or looking to sell it on for a bit of profit.
But, if you’re scrolling for some top deals not everything is worth your money.
We spoke to shopping expert Rebecca Bebbington at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk about the items you should be adding to your basket and the ones that aren’t worth your cash.
She said: “Shopping for goods on eBay is one of the best ways to grab a deal as the site is a monster in the global marketplace for people looking to sell items and make money.
“It can be tricky to navigate through the endless amount of options to choose from and figure out which sellers are legitimate or not, but if you look in the right places and for the right people – you could find yourself with an absolute gem of a bargain.”
Rebecca advised it’s important to always be on the lookout for deals, and compare prices to other outlets to see how much you’re saving by shopping second-hand.
As always though, it’s important not to get too swept up in the moment and spend more than you planned only to then regret it.
Remember that it’s only a bargain if you want it in the first place – and always compare prices ahead of purchasing.
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Plus, if you are looking to sell the item on then have a look at how much it could go for on somewhere like Facebook Marketplace or Vinted.
Rebecca has shared her top choices for items you should buy on eBay and those that you probably should leave where they are.
Items you should buy on eBay
1. Clothes and shoes
If you’re looking to give your wardrobe a bit of a refresh on the cheap, eBay could be the place for you.
Second-hand clothes shopping is all the range these days, and there are certainly plenty of apps and online shops to choose from.
But because eBay is one of the biggest out there, there’s a huge variety of clothing and accessories to choose from.
Rebecca said: “Buying second-hand has become one of the biggest fashion revolutions in the last few years, and eBay’s marketplace is booming with stylish collections.
“Sellers are flogging branded items for prices under a tenner, so it’s worth checking out!”
An example of these low prices is a pair of Vans trainers for just £7.50, these cost from £40 new online.
2. Household appliance parts
When a household appliance breaks down in your home it can be pretty costly to buy a new one.
According to Rebecca, eBay is the place to go if you want to simply replace the part that has stopped working.
“If your washing machine or dryer has partially broken down, it could be worth purchasing the parts you need rather than spending hundreds on replacing the whole thing,” she said.
“Look for the specific brand and model as people sell appliance parts separately if they have them spare.”
She managed to find a tumble dryer belt for just £6.19, hundreds of pounds cheaper than replacing the whole thing.
Bear in mind that you might have to pay for a professional to install the part, but this could still work out cheaper than buying a new item.
3. Garden equipment
Now that spring has finally sprung and the sun is shining again, it’s the perfect time to give your garden the clean-up it needs.
Picking up brand new gardening tools can be a bit pricey and if you’re not going to use it that often it might not be that worthwhile.
Instead, why not see what you can pick up second-hand on eBay.
Rebecca said: “Look out for some rakes, seeds and even some outdoor furniture that’s knocked down for a bargain.”
You can find herb seeds for as little as 50p, for example, and they could be just the right thing to give your garden a refresh.
4. Indoor furniture
One thing many people will agree on is that you can grab some great pieces of pre-loved furniture on eBay too.
Plus Rebecca says it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on for its deals throughout the year, where you can find up to 15% off wardrobes, beds and armchairs.
She said: “You could even make more money by purchasing pieces of furniture as part of an upcycling project – grab some paint stripper, sandpaper and some brushes to get started.”
One of the best bargains we found is a recliner armchair, complete with a footstool, for just £11.50.
A set like this could cost hundreds of pounds new.
5. Books
If a book is out of print and pretty rare, it’s always worth scanning through eBay to see if a second-hand version is up for grabs.
Rebecca says that whether you’re looking for these or discounted popular reads or even colouring books – there are ‘bundles’ to choose from.
“Some sellers have offers where you can buy three and get 20% off the overall purchase which can help save the pennies,” she pointed out.
You can grab adult colouring books for as little as £2.99 on the marketplace, and if you get two you get another two free.
Similar style books can be sold for as much as tenner, so that’s a pretty good deal.
Items to avoid on eBay
1. Watches
You will likely see big-brand designer watches listed on eBay for low prices.
But, Rebecca says it’s probably a bad idea to pick these up.
The expert said: “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
“Be cautious of deals on expensive designer brands as it could be a scammer who is planning to send you an empty package.”
She warned that if anything looks suspicious, report the account immediately before you part ways with your money.
If you are looking to buy a watch on eBay it’s always best to search out a reputable seller and make sure they have more than one listing too.
2. Jewellery
Getting excited for pieces of jewellery you spot online could also be a mistake.
Rebecca warned: “Rings and necklaces could be counterfeit items from scammers pretending it’s real gold and silver.
“It could cost more to get it checked for authenticity compared to what you buy it for online.”
Shoppers who are looking to pick up jewellery should make sure the seller has more than just one listing and is reputable.
3. Gift card codes
Another thing you may have spotted online that could be a big waste of your money is gift card codes.
That’s because there’s a chance they could have been stolen from stores and not properly activated in stores.
By the time you’ve paid for and received the code, your money could be wasted.
Rebecca urged shoppers: “Be cautious and don’t fall for this scam.”
4. Fans
With the weather warming up, it’s prime time for people to list their old fans to earn some extra cash.
According to the eBay expert, this isn’t really a good thing.
She said: “Some people could be selling broken fans or those full of dirt and grime without you knowing, so always be sure to ask for lots of images before buying.”
5. Concert tickets
Another item to be extra wary of at this time of year is gig tickets.
Bands and artists are all starting to kick off their summer tours, which Rebecca says has led to a surge of fake concert tickets being sold to eager fans.
She says it’s important to be “extremely cautious” when parting with your cash.
“Look up the policies for fraudulent purchases in the instance of a worst-case scenario,” she warned.
Elsewhere, we’ve chatted to a charity shop expert for the items she always looks for and those she would leave firmly on the shelf.
Plus, if you’re in the mood for some bargain hunting, here are five items to always pick up and four to avoid at a car boot sale.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
