A lot is said about how to find the things you want to buy on eBay but I am not sure enough is said about the art of being a good buyer. I know I am a seller with a store but I also make purchases on eBay when I can so I feel I can comment on this from both sides.

First, read the entire listing: Find out what payment methods are accepted, how the item will be shipped, what the return policy is. If you are not happy with any of these, don't bid. Someone else will most likely have the item and have a policy you can live with.

Second, pay for the item in a timely manner. eBay allows 7 days for you to pay for an item you have won, don't use it all. I would say 3 days is a better rule for the longest it should you to pay. A good rule of thumb is to pay when you win the item unless you are bidding on other items from the same seller and want combined shipping. I know there are reasons you can't pay immediately, a little short for the week. No big deal, communicate, let the seller know you are going to pay and give them an idea when. Most sellers I know are willing to work with you, mostly they want to sell the item and they want you to be happy so you will return and buy again.

As a buyer, I know the item I purchased will not ship until I pay for it, and I want it as soon as possible. I bought it because I liked it and I want it. As a seller, I want to ship your item quickly. this gets it out of my inventory and allows me to buy new merchandise for you or other buyers to look at and buy. A win-win situation.

Third, the biggy, Feedback. I know, as a buyer, your part of the deal is finished once you pay for the item, or is it? This is an argument I see repeated on discussion boards over and over. Does it really matter who leaves feedback first. The feedback system is voluntary on both parts but it is there to make eBay a better place to shop and sell. It is in both the buyers and sellers interest. As a buyer I leave feedback when I receive the item and it is as described, doesn't matter if the seller has left feedback or not. As a seller, I leave feedback for some as soon as they pay, some when I know the item has arrived, some when they have left feedback for me. There is no set rule, no gut feeling, it's just how I do it.

I have never and will neve leave retalitory feedback, I have gotten 1 neutral and the person who left it got a positive, they paid for the item fast. I have left 1 neutral, I had to file an UPI to get my money and 1 negitive, I filed an UPI and still didn't get paid and got no type of communication.

So lets put this feedback argument to rest. Regardless who leaves it first, leave it. It helps us all.

Forth and finnaly, communicate, communicate, communicate. I have mentioned this word a few times already but it can not be emphasized enough. I know as a seller, I communicate with my buyer at all points of the transaction. I let them know they won the item, I send an invoice, I let them know when I receive the payment and I let them know when I ship the item.

I combine shipping and too many times I send an invoice just to have the buyer bid on another item, let the seller know you plan to bid on or purchase more than 1 item, save them some time and trouble. If something is going to keep you from paying immediatly, let the seller know. If you need special shipping, let the seller know. As I said before, most of the sellers I know will work with you, we want to work with you, we want you back as repeat customers and we all want a pleasant transaction and positive feedback with a little praise to go with it.

To sum it up, the most important thing for both buyer and seller is COMMUNICATION.