Ebay Buyer Tips (Part one)

Ebay buyer
As a buyer, you can take precautions to help ensure a successful trading experience. Before bidding or buying Before you bid or buy, make sure you're comfortable with the listing and the seller. Your bid or use of Buy It Now is a commitment to purchase the item.
Evaluate the listing
Review the shipping terms, refund and return policy, and other terms and conditions.
Make sure that you're eligible to bid on the item. If the seller has any buyer requirements that you don't meet, contact the seller for permission prior to placing a bid or using the Buy It Now feature.
Make sure that the seller offers your preferred payment method and that the payment method offers purchase protection.
Know the item
Confirm the authenticity of the item.
If you have questions, use the "Ask seller a question" link on the listing.
Use common sense. If something seems too good to be true, it often is.
Know the seller
Check the seller's Feedback Profile.
Review the seller's current items to get an idea of this person's areas of expertise. For example, if the seller has only sold recipes, and then lists a plasma television, make sure that you're comfortable with the transaction before you bid.
If you're unable to contact the seller, don't bid on the item.
Make sure your seller can communicate with you
Update your contact information,
Update your contact details including your email address, whenever it changes.
Block spam
Make sure that you don't have any spam blocking software installed that may limit a seller from communicating with you.
If you have computer or connection problems, you can access your eBay account through any computer with Internet access, such as those at a library or a friend's house.
Tip:
If the seller offers to sell you the item directly without bidding on and winning the item on eBay, please don't respond. Instead, report it to ebay.
Know before you buy.
Here are some tips to help you buy more confidently.
Know the item.
Review the item description,
checking for any discrepancies.
Compare the item to similar items.
Assess the condition of the item. Be realistic in your expectations of used or older items.
Contact the seller with any questions about the item's condition. To ask the seller a question, click the "Ask seller a question" link on the item listing.
Review details about shipping, insurance, and payment options.
Use extra caution if an item is listing significantly below the manufacturer's suggested retail price, or if the listing has a significantly delayed shipping time.
Make sure that the item is legal and allowed according to ebaylisting policies.
Confirm authenticity.
When buying collectibles, take steps to confirm that the item is authentic. For example, you can get opinions about sports memorabilia, coins, stamps, and jewelry.
Consider having a third-party authentication service inspect the item.
Consider escrow for high-priced items.
Popular higher-priced items (computers, jewelry, and electronics) can carry a higher fraud risk. Give extra scrutiny to the transaction. Learn more about escrow services.
Use caution if you pay through an escrow service. Use http://www.escrow.com/, our approved escrow service.
Use caution with overseas transactions.
Remember that different laws might apply.
Allow additional time to receive your item. For more information, see buying globally.
Insure your items.
Many sellers include shipping insurance or offer it as an option. If your package is lost or damaged in transit, contact the shipping company directly.