Be a night owl — or an early bird.

Refreshed inventory typically pops up in the early mornings, because many people may post new items late at night.

Find sellers who provide bright, clear pictures of the item.

The red velvet chair that caught your eye online may be positively orange in real life!

Show your interest immediately.

Respond to a post right away — a phone call (rather than an e-mail, which can be overlooked) may put you at the top of the list and separate you from the pack of potential buyers.

If you’re a Bargain Betty, do your research.

Look for other online vendors, a local dealer or even a low-end auction house in your town to see whether the online seller has a fair asking price.

Ask for proof of name brands.

Sellers may call attention to name brands in order to entice consumers, so ask for a photo of the company’s sticker on the item or a scan of a certificate of authenticity.

Don’t fall prey to shady sellers!

Fraudulent sellers often only accept money by wire transfer, bank transfer or cash. Opt for payment via credit card, Paypal or even an escrow service (a licensed company that will collect and send your payment to the seller based on instructions agreed upon by both parties).

Stop before you click the “buy” button!

Clear these issues with your seller first:

• Does the item have any defects? Has it experienced any trauma I should know about?
  
• Will the item come in one piece, or will I have to reassemble it?
  
• If a damage occurs during shipping, who will be responsible for paying for repairs? Remember, used furniture typically comes with no warranty!
  
• What’s the return policy? If I decide to send it back, how much time do I have to do it?
  
• Will I need to pay a commission?
  
• Will I be charged a restocking fee simply to return the item, or will I get 100 percent of my money back?

Next page: Websites where you can find steals!