Buying on Bob Shop is quick and easy. Whether you're shopping on our website or through the Bob Shop app, this guide will walk you through the entire buying journey, from finding products to leaving feedback after your order is complete.

1. Find the right product

With millions of listings across a wide range of categories, there are plenty of ways to discover products on Bob Shop.

You can search using keywords in the search bar, browse by category, filter results by price, condition, and more, save items to your Watchlist and compare listings from different sellers before making a purchase.

When viewing a listing, be sure to check:

• The product description.

• Photos.

• Item condition.

• Seller ratings.

• Shipping information.

If you have a question about a product before buying, use the Ask the Seller feature on the listing page.

2. Buy or bid

Bob Shop offers multiple ways to purchase items, depending on the listing type.

Buy Now

Purchase the item immediately at the listed, fixed price, by clicking on add to cart. You can then proceed with payment or continue shopping for more.

Auction

Online auctions on Bob Shop allow participants to bid for items online and bids are open for all to see. The winner is the highest bidder and the price is the highest bid, providing the (optional) reserve price has been met.

You can enter your bid amount in the space provided on the listing and press the bid now button. When you’ve entered your bid, you will be taken to a confirmation page where you can enter your maximum bid amount.

You will receive an email confirming your bid.

For the best experience when bidding:

• Refresh your browser periodically during the final minutes of an auction to see the latest bids.

• Avoid opening multiple tabs for the same auction.

• Ensure you have a stable internet connection when placing bids close to the closing time.

Make an Offer

Some listings allow you to submit an offer below the listed price. The seller can accept, decline or counter your offer.

Auctions with Buy Now

Some auction listings include a Buy Now option, allowing buyers to purchase the item immediately at a fixed price instead of bidding. This option is only available on auction listings with a quantity of one.

If you choose not to use Buy Now, you can place a bid as normal. Once the highest bid reaches the Buy Now price, the Buy Now option is removed and the auction continues through bidding until it closes.

3. Use your Cart

If you're purchasing multiple Buy Now items, simply add them to your Cart before checking out. Items from multiple sellers cannot be combined into a single order.

Your Cart allows you to:

• Purchase multiple items in one checkout.

• Review your selected products.

• Remove items before payment.

• Continue shopping before completing your purchase.

Auction items that you've won will also be available for checkout once the auction has ended.

4. Complete your checkout

Once you've bought or won an item, it's time to complete your order.

Navigate to:

My Account > Buying > Orders or select Checkout directly from your Cart.

During checkout you'll:

1. Review your cart: Verify all details in your cart (items, quantities, subtotal), then click Checkout to continue.

2. Shipping & address: Confirm your delivery address and choose your shipping method, then click Continue to payment.

3. Select payment: Choose your preferred payment method and complete your order.

Shipping costs are automatically calculated during checkout.

5. Pay for your order

Bob Shop offers a range of secure payment options to make checkout simple and convenient.

If you pay via bank transfer and need to send proof of payment, please email it to: proof@bobpay.co.za

6. Track and manage your order

After your payment has been completed, you can keep track of your purchases at any time.

Navigate to: My Account > Buying > Orders 

From here you can:

• View your orders.

• Check payment status.

• Track your shipment (where tracking is available).

• Contact the seller if you have questions about your order.

You'll also receive email notifications as your order progresses.

7. Receive your item

Once your parcel arrives:

• Inspect the item to ensure it matches the listing.

• Confirm that it arrived in the expected condition.

• Contact the seller promptly if there are any issues.

If you need assistance resolving a problem, our support team is here to help. Feel free to reach out to us at hello@bobshop.co.za / 010 005 6200.

8. Rate your seller

After your transaction is complete, you can leave feedback about your buying experience.

Navigate to: My Account > Buying > Ratings

Your feedback helps:

• Reward excellent sellers.

• Assist future buyers in making informed decisions.

• Maintain a trusted marketplace.

We encourage honest, fair and constructive feedback based on your overall experience.

Buy on the go with the Bob Shop app

The Bob Shop mobile app lets you shop wherever you are.

Tip: Opt to receive SMS alerts in order to stay up to date with your bids and the items in your watch list.