Comments on: “Secret” eBay and Craigslist Hacks That Will Save You Thousands of Dollars Online

By: Nisha

Nisha — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:26:30 +0000

Hi Erica,
I would like add a point to your eBay suggestions. Rather than hovering over your computer during the final bid, where you not only use up your time but you run the risk of getting emotional over your bid and spending more than you planned, I suggest using a site like eSnipe.com
For a very modest fee,(Never less than 25 cents and never more than $10) you just tell eSnipe what the highest amount that you are willing to pay is and they come in at 6 seconds (Or any buffer time that you choose), before the close and bid for you with your highest amount but ebay then bids that for you only in the next highest increment so you never pay more than just above the previous high bid.
This not only keeps you from getting emotional and going over budget but it also prevents the other bidders from getting emotional and going over their budget since the bid is closed by the time they see yours. So you do everybody a favor:)
Say hi to Richard for me!

By: Susan Cartier Liebel

Susan Cartier Liebel — Sun, 18 May 2008 10:48:23 +0000

Erica,

I recently discovered Bradsdeals.com which I get by e-mail alerts and have already scoped out major savings on every type of product imaginable, plus there are a few tips and tricks, coupon codes, etc to reduce prices further. They have tons of electronics which I wouldn’t as a rule purchase used.

Thanks for your tips on ebay. I’ll have to remember that as I just purchased Wii and all accessories!

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:42:05 +0000

I like your ingenuity. These are really nice tips!

By: Paul Dizmang

Paul Dizmang — Sun, 04 May 2008 12:19:35 +0000

Great article; I have used ebay often but never have used the save feature. Thanks for the tips!

By: ericabiz

ericabiz — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:42:54 +0000

@Cathy: Isn’t it great? I love eBay.

@Travis: Excellent! (I IM’ed Travis and we talked about setting up his photo business as a DBA or a corporation so he can write off all his photography expenses.)

@Johnny: I’m a third-generation Bears fan. My grandmother grew up near Chicago. Thanks for the laugh!

@Will: Thank you!

@Jen: Doh! You win “comment of the day” award. You got me…that’s what I get for trying to do math late at night! I’ve edited the number. I added $10 for shipping, since I would have ordered it online otherwise. Buying it here in California would have been even more expensive due to sales tax.

By: Will

Will — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:59:37 +0000

I believe that was an honest mistake from Erica’s part, Jen! Lol

I’m mad that we all commented on the article but none of us spotted it… Go figure, he he he

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:10:41 +0000

I can’t understand how you saved $291 on the purse. If it was originally $390 and you bought it for $209, my math says you saved only $181. Can you clarify?

By: Will

Will — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:53:29 +0000

My kind of post! No fluff, just good solid, “here’s how to do it” information!

Keep up the good work

By: Johnny Storm

Johnny Storm — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:48:53 +0000

Wait, what? You’re from Indiana, yet you root for the Bears?!? Blasphemy!

By: Travis Isaacs

Travis Isaacs — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:29:56 +0000

I watch the photo/video feed like a hawk! Just recently I bought an *mint* external flash for my SLR for ~50% of what it originally retailed for.

While I do save money in buying gently used gear, it’s still pretty tough on our household budget