Hi,
I'm trying to access this guide, but can't figure out how to access it. There is nothing to click on when I hover over the supposed link. Has it been removed?

We have just updated our forums that will be the problem, I shall repair the guide asap

Remember Ebay has changed a little since mid last year and is now very geared up for business sellers. A lot of the bigger dealers are now setting up an "Ebay shop" and listing there used caravan stock and there's good business reason. An Ebay listing has massive internet presence as "google" searches bring Ebay listing very high up in the pecking order.
Lots of advertising clout for very little money and no salesmans commision to pay!!

To cut a long story short you will find a lot of reputable sellers on Ebay these days along with the bad of course.

You can use the feedback system to check if buyers have seen fit to leave negative feedback against caravans purchased - this can be left even if they refused to buy on arrival!

Click on the "buying" feedback tab on the sellers feedback page as this will show any caravans they purchased and at what price!! (unless the auction was a "private" one)

Also if you see a caravan for sale on Ebay or indeed any classified's that takes your fancy, do a "google" search for exactly the same description and if the vendor has recently purchased the caravan to sell on, the old ad will show up somewhere in the results even if the advert has been deleted as the pages will be "cached" for a period!! Look for telltale marks on the caravan pictures such as the LPG sticker placement to see if its the same one.

A good tip for online classified's is right click the pictures and save to your desktop, then open them using miscrosoft picture manager or similar. You can then blow the pics up to whatever size you want and often all the damp corners, damaged woodwork, bodywork dings etc magically appear saving you a fortune in petrol!!

Lastly and we've all said this before, if the seller is asking for a deposit on auction end the caravan is always but ALWAYS a complete and utter nail. Its a ploy to make you feel obliged to buy the van regardless of problems. Think about it, if the caravan was good why would the seller be worried you won't buy it on arrival??

I recently agreed a price to buy a caravan listed on Ebay (in supposedly immaculate damp free condition) from a car dealer in Dudley who wouldn't let me drive there, pick up and pay in cash that day without sending a deposit first?? He flatly refused, why? Because without doubt the caravan wasn't as described. He didn't get my business, he didn't get my cash, don't let these vermin get your's! Sales of goods act does stipulate a business seller CAN ask for a non-refundable deposit, so unless you've paid by Paypal or credit card you'll have to go to court to even try to recoup your dosh.

You can buy with confidence on Ebay and other online sites so long as you are sensible about it, if its too cheap its for a reason, if they are asking for a deposit its for a reason, if there's bad, few or no pictures etc etc etc.

Happy Caravanning
Andy

I agree, Its all about being sensible and for the buyer to do some research too.

Andy, some good points. Thank you for highlighting them!