I'm reading a lot of conflicting advice about buying golf clubs on eBay, and I thought I should offer some common sense rules that I follow.

1. Read the description: if the seller is from Shanghai and you're paying $40.00 for a brand new Callaway, well it's pretty much your fault when you get ripped off. Seriously though, read the listing. Is it well written?  With few spelling and grammar errors?  Look at where the item is shipping from. Be wary of generic sounding locations (especially California), they are a common site for counterfeits. Read the feedback.  Does this person regularly buy and or sell on eBay? What is the feedback score?  What do the feedback comments say?  Does this person have a steady history of selling and or buying, one without a long period of inactivity followed by a ton of new listings as a seller?  Be very wary of this type of account!!! These are often hijacked accounts!!

2. Contact the seller. If you have a question about an items' authenticity, contact the seller. Get the serial number from the seller. Verify it with the manufacturer. Callaway is great about this. It's about a two minute phone call. Others like TaylorMade, request it in e-mail form, so it may take longer. IF YOU CAN'T VERIFY, DON'T BUY! If the seller won't give you the serial number until after you bid, stipulate in e-mail form through My eBay that you will not pay until the authenticity is verified. If the club comes back as a counterfeit, you will likely have to prove it, but most manufacturers are more than happy to do that in the form of an e-mail. Just make sure there is a contact number on the e-mail.  Always report suspicious activity!  Reporting makes eBay safer for everybody.

3. Don't get emotional! When you get emotionally involved in an auction, it's easy to lose common sense. Pick a reasonable price that you are willing to pay. Research the club and see what the average selling price is outside of eBay. What I have found is clubs on eBay are generally 20% less than the best retail price for new equipment, and even cheaper for older stuff. Paying way less than these general guidelines, except from highly trusted sellers, is a risk!  Always be ready to give up an auction, it's not a competition!

4. Buying used: ratings are in the eye of the beholder. Buying used presents it's own set of problems because, well , they're used.
Truth is, you're at the mercy (and honesty) of the seller. All I can say to buyers of used clubs is pictures, pictures, pictures!!!  If you can't see a part of the club you're buying, ask the seller to take a picture and e-mail it or put it in the item listing. Always be an impartial judge as to the condition of the club. What do you rate the clubs' condition as?

Well, that's it.  Pretty simple stuff I know, but hopefully it saves somebody from getting ripped off. I like buying stuff on eBay, and the more people use common sense and report suspicious activity (hopefully before they get ripped off) the better eBay will be for all of us.