A lot of this will be common knowledge for the more experienced ebayer, but still, maybe worth a read!

I've found over recent months, buying items on ebay is getting increasingly more expensive.

However, there are still a lot of bargains to be had! Also, the following advise could further increase your chance of saving.

Obviously, rule number one is SHOP AROUND!

Firstly, look for sellers who accept the payment method you want to use... not everyone accepts paypal, and strangely, not everyone will let you pay cash & collect in person - even if you only live down the road!

Check the item prices, as you sometimes see a wild variation in price on the exact same item!

Check the P&P cost, and whether your item will be insured against loss or damage during shipping. Some sellers with a cheaper item price will more than make up the difference with inflated shipping costs.

Check the sellers reputation & returns policy (if appliccable).

If you know what you're looking for, do a search, but check the box to include items from the European Union. I say this because you don't have to pay UK duty & VAT for items purchased within the EU (whereas you do outside the EU if the item value is over £32).

I collect 1:18 scale model cars, particularly the AutoArt brand, so I'll base this example around an AutoArt 1:18 scale Lamborghini Gallardo in metallic orange...

The standard High Street store price is around the £45 - £55 mark, but by the time you've driven into town, paid half a days wages to park (if you can find a space!) I find it more convenient to shop online. Anyway...

Ebay shop price from UK seller = £54.99 + £7.99 p&p Total: £62.98*

However, another UK seller has the same item:

Ebay shop price from UK seller = £53.99 + £5.90 p&p  Total: £59.89*

This is a saving of £3.09!

But, by including the EU in my shop search...

Ebay shop price from German seller = £39.58 + £12.18 p+p  Total: £51.76*

Okay, p+p costs more, and I may have to wait up to 10 days to receive my item, but I saved a further £8.13! Make this kind of saving over multiple purchases - it soon mounts up!

Obviously this doesn't work for all items on ebay (such as various car parts as mentioned on another of my guides), but it is worth making a little extra effort.

Also, whilst browsing for Christmas gifts, I found that some sellers registered as business users list their items slightly cheaper in their Ebay shops than on their regular auction listings, and those with online shops outside of Ebay (they usually have an external web link on their auctions or on their 'ME' page), their prices are cheaper again, or contain offers such as 10% off if you spend a certain amount, or even free postage.

They do this because not everyone includes Ebay shops in their searches. Ebay shops don't show up by default in searches, and not everyone knows how to include them in searches. So, shop sellers list some items in regular auctions to get themselves noticed. Selling items in their shops is cheaper than regular auctions as the fees are reduced, and most sellers will reduce the item price accordingly.

There are several ways of searching for Ebay shop items. The most obvious is by suing the 'Shops' tab at the top left of the screen, under the search bar.

But, if you want to see regular auctions and listings from privare sellers as well, you could use the 'advanced search' link which is next to the 'search' button by the search bar. Scroll down the page just over half way; under the heading 'Show Only' you'll see a check box next to 'buying options' and 'more buying options'. Next to the 'more buying options' use the drop down menu to select 'All items including shop inventory format'. This will check both boxes, and when you search for the item you're looking for, Ebay shops will be listed along side private sellers listings.

Another way would be to simply type in whatever you want to search for, hit the search button, then click the 'See additional buy it now items from eBay Shop sellers' link at the bottom of the page.

If you're looking to purchase multiple items, try to purchase as much as you can from one seller for cheaper, 'combined' postage... if you can't see what you want in their shop, drop them an email - they may have what you want in stock, but just not listed it!

Take full advantage of the 'best offer' feature! Use it wisely though... don't make ridiculous offers! If you've seen the same item cheaper from another seller who only accepts cash, but you want to use paypal, make an offer for the cheaper price from the other seller! Or, if you think the postage cost is a bit steep, take the postage cost from the item cost and make that your offer - if accepted, you're effectively getting free postage!

If you're still not certain whether or not you're getting a good deal, put whatever you're looking for into Google and search for the best price...

For example, I've just searched for 'LILLIPUT LANE COTTAGE MINCE PIE' (as my mum collects these little houses!)

Google listed H Samuel at the top of their results. The item price is £9.95 + £2.95 p&p

I typed the same into the Ebay search, which shows up 3 UK shop sellers. Two of them offering the same item price as H Samuel, but with cheaper p&p at £2 and £1.50 respectively. The third seller lists the item at £10, but with FREE postage! So in this instance, Ebay shops are a little cheaper than the High Street shop mail order service.

*I've not posted auction links due to the number of variables, mainly currency fluctuations, sellers adjust their prices or stop selling the item & obviously auctions expire, which would make the links useless anyway!

If you've made it this far, well done and thanks for reading!!

I hope this guide has been of use to someone... if I only managed to save one person a few quid, I'll be happy!