When buying any item you should gather as much information as  you can. The amount of information needed is directly linked to the expense. For example: when buying an item of relatively little expense, such as a $5.00 to $20.0 item, the research value measured in time, can quickly add up to be more expensive time wise than the item being purchased. However one persons income can dramaticly vary from anothers. This too must be considered. For example; I would require my ten year old son to research a $20.00 purchase much more thoroughly than I would for obvious reasons. But If buying say, a motorcycle for $5500.00 it would definately be to your advantage to research various manufacturers, Models, dependibility, Longevity, re-sale value, ETC. With a purchase of such expense, I would want to take my time and learn as much as I could before even considering entering a bid. This research must be done ahead of time to prevent falling into the unwise "spontanious bidding syndrome" One more very important factor to consider when gathering information is the value of seeking wise counsel. If there is one thing the gameshow Millionaire has taught us, it is the value of picking you advisors wisely. I would not ask a divorced playboy for marital advice, or my garbage collector, (sorry) I mean "sanitation engeer" for information on investing in the stock market. But I would however ask one of my biker friends about the reliability and market value of say a 1956 Harley Davidson motorcycle, or how a panhead engine compares to say a knucklehead. If there is one thing a biker knows, It's Bikes. And finally when considering placing a bid on anything, Don't forget to always check their feedback scores before you bid. Don't be spooked by a couple of negative feedback comments. Consider what the comments say, and try to discern the spirit in which the comments were given. I would be careful of re-occuring  identical or similar negative comments. This can be very telling. It is often too late to be smart once you have done something stupid.

Well ! That's all I have to say about that.