Expert: Marvinator - 9/20/2004

Question
hello there

i am from pakistan and plan to buy a pda pocket and simliar gadgets online

please guide me as i am new to internet shopping
i mean i want to know following

-does ebay support shipping to pakistan
-which country ebay should i use and what will be the shipping charges to my country
-is it safe and are there chances of fraud
-lastly is ebay a good site for shopping for pdas and simliar gadgets


i will be thankful for a detailed answer especailly about shipping rates

thanks

Usman


Answer
Since this seems to be several questions in one, let me take them one at a time.

1) - Does ebay support shipping to pakistan?
Ebay is a venue.  The sellers are all independant and are not affiliated with eBay in any way.  The best analogy is to view it like the classified advertising in the local paper.  The seller pays the newspaper to run the ad. The buyer picks up a newspaper and views the ad, but they don't buy the item from thepaper, they contact the seller and all their transaction is done without the newspaper even knowing.  Ebay works the same way.

So, in answer to your question, it depends on the seller.  Some sellers will sell to someone out of the US and others do not.  I suggest you get an electronic payment method (Paypal as an example) so as to make payments quickly and securely. This also makes you look more appealing as a buyer.  Also, keep in mind that just because someone doesn't expressly forbid bidders from out of the US, it is always best to write and ask if the seller does, in fact, ship to Pakistan. Ask how they pack, and how much they know about shipping to your area.  Always ask your questions before you bid.


2) - Which country ebay should i use?
 Thatis purely up to you, but you will find more local resources with an Ebay that is from your area.  If there is no Ebay in Pakinstan, then use the main Ebay, www.Ebay.com to access auctions.  You will find the same auctions on all sites.

3) - What will be the shipping charges to my country?
 You can find the shipping via any of the shipping companies by going to their site and inputing the information.  Even the United States Postal Authority has a site which you can use to calculate shipping.  

 Be warned however that there can be discrepancies. Being that most users are amateur business people, mistakes can be made.  In addition, some sellers feel justified in charging a 'handling fee' and this can add just about anything to your final charge.  Again, ask before you bid.

4) - Is it safe and are there chances of fraud?
 Ebay is as good as the user makes it.  Ebay is a secure site, but like anywhere else, Ebay (and Paypal) is plagued with those who only want to use ebay for underhanded dealings.  Scam artist abound, pfishing emails are prolific and some sellers are just bad.  

 You can deal with this by learning as much as you can about the Ebay system, and doing what you can do prevent anything happening to you.  The more aware you are, the better off you will be.

5) - Is ebay a good site for shopping for pdas and simliar gadgets?
  Ebay is only as good as the bidder.  It is not uncommon to find items selling on ebay for more than you can buy them at a local store.  Sometimes people get caught up in the bidding and the frenzy of the moment.  
  Again, as above, you need to know the system, and how to use it to your own benefit.  Learn how to read a seller by their feedback and how to tell when a deal is 'too good to be true'.  Once you week out these 'bad items' what is left is the best deals you can find.  It may take a while, especially when dealing with computers or consumer electronics, but it can be done.

If I can be of further help, please feel free to return and ask more questions.