| Do your research | | | | part in further auctions. |
| Buying online is easy and saves you time, but you | | | | In practice, there is usually not much more you can do |
| should never cut corners on your product research | | | | if a party agrees to buy or sell a paintball gun or |
| before you decide to buy a paintball gun or a paintball | | | | accessory but does not complete on the deal. |
| gun accessory. You hear so many unhappy stories of | | | | Check out the buyer or seller's online reputation |
| people who bought a paintball gun or accessory in | | | | However, before you start bidding for a paintball gun, |
| haste which did not actually meet their needs, or was | | | | check out the other party's online reputation at the |
| not compatible with their other paintball gear. You need | | | | auction site to find out what other people say about |
| to know about a products features and reputation, | | | | them. On eBay, buyers and sellers are rated and you |
| whether the manufacturer is still in business and can | | | | can even contact people who have previously done |
| service your paintball gun, and it all comes down to | | | | business with the buyer or seller. If you see some |
| thorough research. There is no substitute for proper | | | | negative comments, then seek further clarification from |
| research and it should not be rushed. You will regret it | | | | the comment maker as to what the problem was with |
| if you do. | | | | the buyer or seller. Then form your own opinion as to |
| Finding an online paintball gun auction | | | | whether you can trust the buyer or seller. |
| A quick search in Google should give you a list of | | | | Keep a record of all communications |
| paintball gun auction sites. A good place to start is | | | | If you send e-mails to the other party then keep a |
| eBay. You will need to register with the paintball gun | | | | record of these. Likewise, if you speak to them on the |
| auction site before you can take part in auctions. Make | | | | phone, make a note right away of what was said and |
| sure you read the auction site's rules and be aware of | | | | date the note. Such e-mails and notes are evidence of |
| any fees or commissions for which you will be | | | | what was agreed between the parties and these will |
| charged. | | | | be useful if you have to refer the matter to the auction |
| The photograph | | | | site if the other party does not complete the deal. |
| Buyers should check that the paintball gun in the | | | | I have found that you can tell a fair amount about a |
| photograph is the paintball gun that the seller says it is. | | | | paintball gun seller from how they respond to |
| If the seller has not posted a photograph, then ask to | | | | questions, and how quickly they respond. Send off an |
| see a photograph of the actual paintball gun or paintball | | | | e-mail with a few product and payment questions and |
| gun accessory being sold. Do not be satisfied with a | | | | then see how the seller responds. If the response is |
| picture of the product taken from the manufacturer's | | | | evasive or misleading or rude, then trust your gut |
| website. | | | | instinct and do not contract with the seller. |
| Sellers should take a photograph of the paintball gun or | | | | Price, payment and delivery |
| accessory since a photograph will give you a much | | | | As a seller, many auction sites will allow you to put a |
| better chance of making a sale. You want the buyer | | | | reserve price on your paintball gun or paintball gun |
| to see a good photo showing all the paintball gun's | | | | accessory so that it cannot be sold for a lower price. |
| features, including upgrades, so take a number of | | | | Common forms of payment are credit cards or |
| photos, experiment with background and lighting and | | | | PayPal, but each seller will have their own |
| see which looks best online. | | | | requirements, of which a buyer should be aware. It is |
| You are entering a binding agreement | | | | always a good idea to e-mail to confirm how payment |
| An agreement to buy or sell a paintball gun or paintball | | | | is to be made. |
| gun accessories through an online auction amounts to | | | | If you are selling, make sure you get payment |
| a binding contract, but this will not stop some people | | | | confirmed before you despatch the goods. |
| refusing to go through with the deal after the | | | | Buyers should be aware that con artists sometimes |
| agreement has been made. | | | | pose as sellers in order to get buyers to send money |
| The auction site will have rules governing transactions | | | | transfers, for example 'wiring' money through Western |
| and failure to complete on an agreed deal, and you | | | | Union, so be very suspicious of anyone who insists on |
| need to be aware of these and have recourse to | | | | payment in this manner. |
| them if something goes wrong. Sites vary in the | | | | Shipping costs will in most cases be additional to the |
| degree to which they become involved when a party | | | | price, and they should be quoted separately. If none |
| fails to complete, but you should always report those | | | | are quoted, then ask. Also ask when you can expect |
| that flout the rules to the auction site. In most cases | | | | to receive the paintball gun. |
| people who break the rules are prohibited from taking | | | | |