Browse > Tips

 
  Tips for Buyers
 
  Become a registered user:
We will need just five pieces of information:

1.  A "Username" -  this is how you will be known at the Photogon.
2.  A "Password" - choose a password that you can remember.
3.  Your name
4.  Your email address - must be valid and deliverable.
5.  Your phone number - released only to another user in a transaction with you. 
6.  Your address - not released to anybody unless you specifically tell us to.

Just click the Registration link in the top frame, or here to do it right now.  Once you fill out the form with the above items, you will receive an email with your temporary password.  You may change the password once you sign in.

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  How to Change your Password:
You will need your "Username" and your current Password.
Go the the Registration page, and you will see a form to change your password.
Enter your handle, your current password, and your new password twice.
You will never be asked for your password by any of the Photogon staff, so do not reveal it to anybody. 

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How to bid on an auction:
All listings will have a set of bidding fields near the bottom of the page.  You will need to enter your Username, password, and your bid.   You will see a minimum required bid amount that you must meet or surpass.  By using the Proxy Bidding System, you can bid your maximum price right away, and let your Proxy enter bids for you, at the minimum accepted.

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The Proxy Bidding System:
The Proxy Bidding System is designed to save you the time of watching every bid at the auction, and is used by all reputable internet auction systems.   Essentially, you bid the Maximum price you are willing to pay, right off the bat.   But your bid is actually kept confidential, and not posted.  Only the Minimum Required amount is bid for you.  Your Proxy then places bids for you whenever necessary to beat other bidders.  Your Proxy will only bid one increment more than your competition, and will never bid more than your maximum.  If someone bids more than your top price, you will be notified.

Here's an example:

Current high bid is: $100.00
Bid Increment is: $2.50
Next required Bid : $102.50
   
You bid your max.: $160.00
Your Proxy bids: $102.50
Joe comes along with: $105.00
Your Proxy bids: $107.50
Joe bids again: $125.00
Your Proxy bids: $127.50
John Moneybags bids: $175.00
Your Proxy does NOT bid: It emails you.

Another example:

Current high bid is: $100.00
Bid Increment is: $2.50
Next required Bid : $102.50
   
You bid your max.: $160.00
Your Proxy bids: $102.50
Joe comes along with: $200.00
Your Proxy bids its max: $160.00
Joe's Proxy bids: $162.50
Your Proxy does NOT bid: It emails you.

By bidding your maximum right away, you are sure not to pay too much at the end of an exciting auction.  If the bidding goes higher than your maximum, no problem, you probably would not have paid that much anyway.

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  What is the Photogon Grading Scale (PGS)?
It is often difficult to gauge the physical condition of an item based on the seller's description.  What exactly does "Mint" mean?   Especially when everybody seems to use it all the time?  The Photogon Grading Scale is a standard that is used by many dealers and reference books.  It is a 1-10 scale, with very specific criteria for each of the numbers.  If the seller is using the Photogon Grading Scale, you will see a X/10, followed by PGS, which will be a link to the Grading Scale description.  If the seller does not state an PGS rating for his item, email him and ask that he qualify his item on the PGS.

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