Originally published January 25 2005
Protect yourself by using a credit card when bidding for items online
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Millions of customers make purchases on eBay every day but how can they protect themselves if "what they see isn't what they get?" Simple. Make your purchases by using a credit card that provides a buyer protection program such as Discover or American Express. That way, your credit card provider – not an unknown seller – will cover you.
QUESTION: I'm probably the last person left on Earth who's never bought anything on eBay, but I've heard stories about shady sellers, missing merchandise and PayPal problems.
Before I place my first bid, how can I protect myself?
ANSWER: Bidding and buying online is inherently risky business.
After all, you're relying on the kindness (or at least honesty) of strangers to deliver promised goods.
And that's true whatever way you pay.
The old-fashioned method - a money order- doesn't offer much in the buyer-protection department, but online payment services aren't much better.
Western Union's BidPay takes no responsibility for items procured through its use.
This benefit is limited to transactions with sellers who have the "PayPal Buyer Protection" icon.
Besides looking for the icon, you can further safeguard yourself by using Discover or American Express.
Both cards extend the same protection on PayPal purchases as they do for those made at brick-and-mortar stores.
If an item fails to arrive at your doorstep, you can contest the charge and the companies will credit your account until the dispute is resolved.
That $1,999, 3.5-carat diamond ring may seem like the deal of a lifetime, but bid on it sight unseen, and you're just begging to be robbed blind.
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