The classifieds are a veritable treasure trove for would-be bargain hunters and a great place to source out those more unusual purchases (where else can you find a second hand anvil at short notice?) But the doctrine of caveat emptor applies -- let the buyer beware -- and it can be a far cry from high street shopping if you later discover you've not quite got the bargain you thought you had. What follows are a few common sense guidelines to buying through classified ads.

Research
Before you approach sellers through classified advertisements it's well worth doing a bit of research first. Find out the going rate for the product or service you're looking for and compare the market. If something is being offered for substantially lower than the usual asking price, there's probably a reason. Cynical as it may sound, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Although don't forget that many products sold through the classifieds are going to be second hand and that does mean you'll pay less for them. It can be difficult to work out what would be a reasonable price for a used item -- however, as the saying goes, something is only worth what a person would be willing to pay for it. Set yourself a budget before you begin your search and imagine how much you'd be prepared to spend on the item in question. You can then use this as a guide when browsing the ads.

If you're looking to buy an electrical or technological item, research the current models and what features they might have that may not be present on older models. Particularly as we fast approach the digital switchover, many audio-visual products will soon be outdated and therefore aren't worth spending a great deal of money on only to have to replace them in a few years' time. The same goes for computing and IT products which can be made obsolete very quickly and even domestic appliances which now have to conform to energy efficiency standards. See if you can find out what the average life span of the product is and check the age of the one for sale -- mobile phones for example only last a few years and aren't designed to continue working well over a long period. In some cases, a new battery or other small repairs can help increase the life of the product and that's also something worth looking into. Also remember when buying second hand, the product may not come with its original manual or user guide so see if this is available to download from the manufacturer's website or appropriate technology forums. This can save hours of frustrating fiddling around with meaningless buttons and switches.

Ask Questions
If you're looking into local services, make sure you ask for references and check with the appropriate industry bodies to ensure (where appropriate) that the service provider has the necessary qualifications and registration. A quick phone call to the vendor is all it takes to get the information you need to follow these enquiries up, and any professional tradesman or other service provider will not only understand your reasons for doing so, but also find it run-of-the-mill. If someone is reluctant to provide you with details of appropriate body registrations, go elsewhere.

Even private sellers should be willing to answer queries from potential buyers without appearing hesitant or secretive. If you're looking to buy specialist collector's items or memorabilia then asking the seller questions directly might be the only way of ascertaining the item's history. Check for certificates of authenticity or other evidence that the item in question is the genuine article before handing over large sums of cash.

The Sale
Some items are small enough simply to be posted although do expect the seller to wait for receipt of payment, and if paying by cheque or bank transfer to wait for the funds to clear, before sending your item out. Larger items may have to be collected in person. If you can arrange to do this in a public place, a pub or coffee shop for example, then this is a good idea. Alternatively, see if a friend is free to go along with you. Most people are good, decent folk but it pays to be cautious when arranging to meet someone you don't know. If you find you have to go alone, at least make sure you tell someone where you're going and what time you expect to be finished. Give them your mobile phone number and the address you're heading to and ask them to call at a pre-arranged time to make sure that you stay safe.

When you see the goods, check them over carefully. Don't feel obliged to go through with the purchase if it turns out that the item is not what you were expecting. It's ok to take some time to think about it, and even to go away and mull it over -- although be aware that the item may well have been sold by the time you come back! Always be polite and courteous and thank the seller for their time.

Use Your Common Sense
These guidelines are based on simple common sense. They are not intended to be negative or work from the assumption that all people are con artists -- or worse! As stated earlier, most people are good, decent folk. But having read through these points, you should be a little more prepared for the sorts of pitfalls that might otherwise make your classifieds experiences disappointing ones and not rush into any purchases you might later regret. And as they say -- one man's trash is another man's treasure... So get out there, and snap yourself up a bargain!
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14 August 2008
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18 July 2008
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04 July 2008
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23 June 2008
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09 June 2008
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