Buying -- Getting Started

Welcome to NimBid! It's easy to learn what you need to know to make your first purchase.

Step 1: Register

Step 2: Find items

Step 3: Consider buying formats

Step 4: Consider payment methods

Step 5: Use My NimBid (optional)

Step 6: Connect with NimBid members (optional)

Step 1: Register

Registration is free and simple. Register now, or learn more about registering. You can also take a   guided tour of registration.

Step 2: Find items

You can find items by browsing or searching.

Browse when you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for, or when you just want to explore the range of items in a particular category. To browse, click on a category in the left column of the NimBid home page.

Search when you’re looking for a specific item that you can describe using a few words. To search, enter a few words to describe the item in the Search box, which is found at the top-right corner of most NimBid pages.

Step 3: Consider buying formats

There are numerous ways to buy items on NimBid. Some buying formats include auction-style listings where sellers list items for sale to the highest bidder, and Buy It Now, which enables you to buy an item when you want it, at a known set price.

Step 4: Consider payment methods

Each seller accepts different payment methods. Carefully read an item description before you buy to find out what methods the seller accepts. Most sellers accept PayPal because it transfers funds immediately.

Although, Currently NimBid Is Only Supporting Payment Through PayPal.

Step 5: Use My NimBid (optional)

My NimBid enables you to track all of your NimBid activities – including buying, selling and feedback from one page. Once you've registered, you’ll have your own My NimBid page. Here you can watch what’s happening with items you’re interested in.

Step 6: Connect with NimBid members (optional)

Once you’ve registered, you can send messages to other members. Currently this service has been limited to messages related to items only but we are working on it to increase the performance and let you socialize aswell.

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Buyer Tips

Do your research

Consider your buying options

Plan ahead

Whether you're new to NimBid or are an experienced shopper, these tips can help you bid and buy safely and wisely.

Do your research

Learn all you can about the item. Read the item description carefully. Make sure you understand details about P&P and payment options. Don't make assumptions about details that aren't included in the description.

Find answers to your questions. If you have any questions or are unsure about something, click the Ask a question link in the listing. Common questions include "Do you accept returns?" and "How will you deliver the item?" If you've already bid on an item and are having a problem communicating with a seller through email, you can request the seller's contact information by contacting NimBid Support.

Check the seller's Feedback. From the listing, click the number in brackets next to the seller's user ID. You'll see what other buyers have to say about doing business with the seller.

Research the item's value. Look at similar completed listings by searching completed listings. You can also visit online shops that sell similar items and talk to friends to help determine what the item is worth.

Make sure the item is legal and allowed. If you have any doubts as to whether the item you're interested in is allowed, check our policies on prohibited, questionable and infringing items.

Consider your buying options

Determine the maximum amount that you're willing to pay for the item. Take into consideration what the item is worth to you, how difficult it will be for you to find another one and how soon you need it. Then decide the highest price that you're willing to pay.

Understand what entering a maximum bid means. Our automatic bidding system means you can enter your maximum bid once and the system will automatically increase your bid only as much as is needed for you to stay the highest bidder without going over your maximum bid.

Make every bid a serious one. Don't bid on multiple similar items from different sellers if you only want one. You could be the winning bidder in more than one auction, and you'd be obliged to purchase any items you won.

Consider Buy It Now. Does the listing you're interested in have a Buy It Now option? If so, consider whether you're willing to pay the Buy It Now price in order to guarantee that you get the item without having to wait for an auction to end.

Plan ahead

Ensure your contact information and email address is up-to-date. Check your personal information to make sure it is correct. Also, check that any spam blocking software that you have installed doesn't prevent a seller from communicating with you.

Start early if you plan to buy with Best Offer. The way to win with Best Offer is to start early in the listing so you can allow for time for the seller to respond.

Plan for alternative computer access. If you have computer or connection problems, or need to be away from your computer, you can monitor your bids or other account activity by signing in to My NimBid from any computer with internet access.

Shopping formats            

Comparing buying formats

1. Auction format
2. Buy it now
3. NimBid Shopping basket

For your enjoyment and convenience, NimBid offers several ways to shop.

 Comparing buying formats

Method

Benefits and Considerations

    Auction-style format

You bid up from the seller's starting price along with other buyers to get the best deal. You can watch the item to see how the bidding is going.

When the listing ends, the highest bidder wins the item and completes the purchase.

Benefits:

Bidding can be lots of fun.

You can find some great deals.

You can use the NimBid Feedback and, if needed, problem resolution services.

Considerations:

You need to wait until the auction ends to buy the item.

You might be outbid.

   Buy it now

You can buy the item immediately at a fixed price. This is can also be an option in auction-style listings.

If a seller offers this option, you’ll see the Buy it now icon next to the listing.

Benefits:

You can buy the item right away.

You don't compete with anyone else for the item. Once you buy it, it's yours!

You can use the NimBid Feedback and, if needed, problem resolution services.

Considerations:

If you want the item, you have to act fast. Buy it now items are only available for a limited time on auction-style listings.

   NimBid Shopping basket

The NimBid shopping basket is an easy way to keep track of multiple items you want to purchase. Any time you see an item you want to buy, you can add it to your basket.

Auction-style items that you bid on are added to your basket automatically. For fixed-price listings, click the Add to basket button and the item will be added to your NimBid shopping basket.

Buy it now items can be purchased straight away, and paid for in one transaction as long as all the sellers accept PayPal.

Benefits:

Lets you keep track of all the items you're interested in buying.

Allows you to pay for all your fixed price purchases and won auction-style listings in a single transaction.

Considerations:

Remember that an item in your NimBid shopping basket remains available on NimBid until you check out and pay for the item.