|
| |
Seller Tips
Know Your Legal Obligations
 | Under federal law, you're required to advertise your product or service
and the terms of the sale honestly and accurately. You can't place "shill"
bids on your item to boost the price or offer false testimonials about
yourself in the comment section of Internet auction sites.
|
| You're prohibited from auctioning illegal goods. While many auction sites
monitor their sites to ensure that illegal items are not being offered, the
responsibility for ensuring that a sale is legal rests with the seller and
buyer. Some auction sites post a list of prohibited items as a guide.
|
| You are required to ship merchandise within the time frame specified
during the auction, or, if a time frame is not specified, within 30 days. If
you can't meet the shipping commitment, you must give the buyer an opportunity
to cancel the order for a full refund or agree to the new shipping date. To
learn more about your responsibilities when shipping products, see
A Business Guide to the Federal Trade Commission's Mail or Telephone Order
Merchandise Rule. |
Advertising Your Product
| When describing your item and its condition, state whether it's new, used
or reconditioned. |
| Anticipate questions buyers might have and address them in the description
of your item or service. |
| When possible, include a photograph of the item. The saying that a picture
is worth a thousand words is especially relevant in Internet auctions. |
| Specify the minimum bid at the lowest fair price you're willing to accept.
|
| Specify who will pay for shipping, and note whether you'll ship
internationally. |
| State your return policy, including who's responsible for paying for
shipping costs or restocking fees if the item is returned. |
| Let prospective bidders know whether you provide follow-up service; if you
don't, tell them where they can get it. |
Dealing with Bidders
| Respond as quickly as possible to bidders' questions about the item you're
auctioning or the sales terms. |
| When the auction closes, print all information about the transaction,
including the buyer's identification; a description of the item; and the date,
time and price of the bid. Save a copy of every email you send and receive
from the auction site or the successful bidder. |
| Contact the "winning" bidder as soon after the auction closes as possible;
confirm the final cost, including shipping charges, and tell the buyer where
to send payment. |
Arranging for Payment
| If you accept credit card payments from the buyer directly, bill the
credit card account only once you've shipped the product.
|
| If a buyer insists on using a particular escrow or online payment service
that you've never heard of, check it out. Visit its Web site. Be suspicious of
claims about being affiliated with a government agency. Call the customer
service line. If there isn't one, or if you call and can't reach someone,
don't use the service.
|
| Before agreeing to use an online payment or escrow service, read the terms
of agreement:
 | If it's an online payment service, find out who pays for credit card
charge backs or transaction reversal requests if the buyer seeks them. |
| Examine the service's privacy policy and security measures. Never
disclose financial or personal information unless you know why it's being
collected, how it will be used, and how it will be safeguarded.
|
|
| Be suspicious of an online escrow service that cannot process its own
transactions and requires you to set up accounts with online payment services.
Legitimate escrow services never do this.
|
| Check with the Better Business Bureau, state attorney general or consumer
protection agency — where you live and where the online payment or escrow
service is based — to see whether there are any unresolved complaints against
the service. Be mindful that a lack of complaints doesn't necessarily mean
that the service has no problems. |
| |
|
