If, at some point, you were in search of the best online deal to purchase a product, you likely found yourself on the eBay website.
However, you may be questioning whether eBay operates in Kenya. The answer is affirmative – eBay is indeed available in Kenya.
The eBay platform in Kenya facilitates the buying, auctioning, shipping, and delivery of items to Nairobi and other cities within the country.
Undoubtedly, eBay is one of the most renowned e-commerce marketplaces globally, functioning as a platform for consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales.
With a vast international user base, eBay offers an extensive range of products, encompassing new and used electronics, designer clothing brands, and unique collectibles. This wide variety of items enhances its allure for both sellers and buyers.
The Benefits of Shopping on eBay
In Kenya, customers opt to shop on eBay due to the
a). Vast range of products
There is a vast range of available that may otherwise not be easily found. eBay, being a multinational online marketplace, offers the opportunity to purchase goods from the US or UK and have them delivered to Kenya.
The platform allows sellers to offer a wide array of items, giving buyers an exceptional variety to choose from.
From automotive parts to electronic devices, rare books to clothing, eBay offers a diverse range of goods similar to that of Amazon.
Furthermore, eBay operates in several countries and provides international shipping options for sellers.
b). Excellent Customer service
eBay boasts numerous advantages for buyers, including excellent customer service and buyer protection measures, competitive prices, a money-back guarantee, and an extensive selection of unique, vintage, and high-quality products.
c). Second hand items
One notable advantage of eBay is the ability to buy secondhand products. With the assurance of a money-back guarantee, buyers can be reassured that the products they are purchasing are as described.
In the event of flaws, non-delivery, or significant discrepancies from the advertised item, buyers can file claims to receive a refund.
However, buying products from the US, UK, or other markets and having them shipped to Kenya can present challenges. It is not uncommon to encounter inflated shipping costs, delivery complications, and other related issues along the way.
Guide to Shopping on eBay from Kenya
To shop on eBay from Kenya, follow these steps on the ebay.com US marketplace.
1. Creating an eBay Account
Start by logging into your search engine or directly accessing www.ebay.com. Once you’re on the site, locate the “Hi! Sign in or Register” option in the top left corner. Click on “Register” to initiate the process.
Enter your name, email address, and password to create your account. Alternatively, you can save time by registering through your Facebook or Google accounts. It’s recommended to create an account beforehand to easily save and monitor your desired products.
2. Browsing for Products or Exploring Product Categories
With your account set up, you can now begin shopping. There are two ways to find the products you want:
– Shop By Category: This option lets you browse products within specific categories such as women’s clothing or electronics.
– Search: Enter the name of the product you’re looking for, and you’ll receive relevant results as well as partial matches.
3. Utilizing Product Filters
Certain categories and products on eBay may generate numerous pages of search results. Instead of sifting through all of them, you can save time by using the search filters. These filters allow you to narrow down your search by criteria such as Price, Brand, Item Condition, Color, or Product Specifications. Additionally, you can sort the results based on options like Best Match, Newest Listings, Ending Soonest, Low to High Price, High to Low Price, and more.
4. Choosing the Desired Product
Once you’ve applied the necessary filters, browse through the filtered product results. Click on a listing that catches your attention to view detailed information and photos. Make sure to read the product description thoroughly, checking for sizing or dimensions, seller policies, and any relevant details. Pay close attention to any mentioned flaws or defects, as overlooking them may affect your buyer protection eligibility.
To gain further insight into the seller’s reputation, customer service, and timeliness, read reviews from other buyers. While a rating of 95% or above generally indicates a reputable seller, prioritize sellers with the highest percentage ratings.
5. Finalize Your Purchase
If, after carefully reviewing the product description and reading through customer reviews, you are still interested in purchasing the item, you have two options: you can either choose to Add to Cart or select Buy Now. Opting to Add to Cart is suitable when you prefer to consolidate all your purchases into one invoice, whereas Buy Now applies specifically to that one product.
6. Input Your Delivery Address
Proceeding to the checkout process is the next step once you have selected the desired product to buy. At this stage, you will be prompted to provide the necessary details for shipping, including the address where you would like the product to be delivered. This is where the role of shipping companies becomes crucial.
It is important to note that most products from eBay do not directly ship to Kenya. In this case, shipping companies offer a solution by providing warehouses where you can arrange for your forwarding address, allowing them to ship the products to you at affordable rates.
Top shipping companies used in Kenya include Savo Store, Kentex Cargo, and States Duka. It is worth mentioning that some shipping companies are specific to certain countries like the US or UK, and the shipping time may vary, so be sure to choose one that aligns with your preferences.
7. Provide Your Payment Details
eBay accepts a wide range of payment methods, which includes major credit and debit cards, PayPal, as well as eBay gift cards. Debit cards issued by Kenyan local banks and equipped with Visa or Mastercard functionalities are also accepted.
While eBay generally prioritizes the security and protection of its customer’s information, it is recommended to utilize a prepaid Visa or Mastercard debit card or PayPal for an additional layer of security.
8. Finalize Your Purchase
Once all the necessary information has been inputted, you are now ready to proceed with placing your order! Simply click on the “Confirm and Pay” button.
9. Order Confirmation and Delivery
Upon successful payment, eBay will confirm your purchase and display a message on the screen stating “Your Order’s In!” Furthermore, you will also receive a confirmation email sent to the email address registered with your eBay account.
Subsequently, eBay will initiate the preparation of your order for shipment to Kenya. The processing time may vary depending on the seller, but most sellers strive to process and dispatch orders promptly. Sellers will also provide a tracking number, allowing you to monitor the progress of your package when selecting a shipping option that includes tracking. eBay typically sends notification emails to inform you once your package has been shipped and again upon its delivery.
10. Leave Your Feedback
Leaving feedback after completing a transaction holds great significance as it serves as a valuable indicator for other potential buyers, providing them with insights into the seller’s reliability.
A guide on how to purchase eBay items using third-party shipping services in Kenya
Third-party services help reduce the costs incurred during shipping, especially since most online shopping platforms worldwide have not yet invested in global delivery. Normally, the shipping fees often surpass the actual cost of the item being shipped, when considering customs fees and taxes. Moreover, it becomes even more difficult to receive your item if you don’t have a debit card or a PayPal account.
The main reason why the majority of eBay customers in Kenya prefer this method is because they prefer to avoid online fraud and the associated risks.
To ship your eBay items to Kenya using third-party shipping services, you need to have both an eBay and a PayPal account. Alternatively, you can also provide the links of the items you want to purchase and have them delivered while enquiring about the shipping costs, customs taxes, and fees from your chosen third-party shipping company. Nonetheless, it’s advisable to have control over your purchases so that you won’t regret entrusting strangers with your financial information, especially if anything goes wrong.
With that being said, below is a detailed list of some of the top third-party shipping companies that facilitate item delivery.
1. KenTex Cargo
When it comes to efficiency, KenTex Cargo is one of the most renowned options. They offer weekly air shipping from the US to Kenya and also handle sea shipping to Nairobi from various locations like Kansas, Houston, Austin, and Oklahoma, just to name a few.
In case you purchase an item from the UK, it might need to be sent to the US first before being directly delivered to Nairobi by the company.
2. Myshopper.
MyShopper Shipping provides an easy way to buy goods from UK online merchants and ship them to Kenya.
To use the service, send desired items’ links to [email protected] and wait for a price quote. Payment is made via MPESA (till number 871485), and delivery address, phone number, and full names are required at checkout.
3. Air Cargo Global Kenya.
This is an additional third-party shipping service for ordering things from UK internet businesses.
Customers must email the company with order details and can get an estimate through their website.
Charges vary according to the item being shipped.
Air Cargo Global Kenya provides safe and secure shipping, timely delivery, and 24/7 customer service.
Customers can obtain a quote through the company’s website.
Selling on eBay from Kenya
If you find yourself with unwanted items or have something you’ve made and want to sell, eBay offers a viable option to consider.
To get started, follow these instructions:
Begin by logging into your account on the official website. At the top of the page, locate and click the “Sell” button. You will then be redirected. Alternatively, you can choose the “Sell your item” option to provide descriptive titles for your items.
Next, compile a comprehensive list of all the items you wish to sell.
Once you have completed this step, double-check the accuracy of the details you have entered. Additionally, make sure to set up an automatic payment method to cover any applicable fees.
Conclusion
eBay availability in Kenya benefits sellers and shoppers. It provides a diverse and extensive choice of products, allowing Kenyan shoppers to acquire items that may not be available in local markets.
Similarly, Kenyan sellers can increase their consumer base by tapping into the worldwide market. This process of getting started is simple. This post focuses on everything you need to know about buying and selling on eBay from Kenya.
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