Ebay has created an environment of ease for purchasing online, and purchasing items online can be a great enjoyment. However, when buying, or considering a purchase, from any seller there are a few items you should always include in your checklist:

1.) Are you dealing with a reputable seller? Feedback shouts reputation at you, though this should never be the only deciding factor as not all feedback left may be appropriately received. Ask the seller a question, about anything, and gauge the response time they take in getting back to you. Are they readily available? Did your response come back in such a timely manner that you would feel comfortable conversing with them if an item condition, or shipping problem occurred? When your money is paid and your item seems lost in Cyber World somewhere, then is not the time to find out your seller never responds to emails!

2.) Does the seller seem to have a genuine interest in you, your needs, and any issues you need resolved BEFORE making a purchase through them? Again, I cannot over-stress the importance of communication between seller and buyer. As a buyer, YOU MATTER. The entire eBay machine, as well as any economy, would come to a sudden halt if their were no buyers. If you have a need then by all means, voice it. If you find your needs have fallen on deaf ears BEFORE THE SALE, then you have only wasted your time, and can move on to other, more receptive sellers.

3.) Read every piece of the auction or store listing you can before committing to buy the item. Once you confirm your intentions to purchase the item by bidding or clicking Buy It Now, then do so. Sellers are humans, too. They will never be receptive to your questioning shipping costs AFTER THE PURCHASE if that information was clearly spelled out within the listing. See rules # 1 and 2 above for testing a sellers worth BEFORE the sale--but after the sale the responsibility lies with you. Again communication is key.

4.) Treat every purchase, or commitment to buy as a binding contract--because it is. Absolutely demand customer service from your seller--it is becoming a dying trait in our world--but also give the same respect back as a buyer. Your initial response to a problem you're having needs to be dealt with in "Ask seller a question" not in negative or neutral feedback. Remember feedback is a rating scale of not just flawless purchases, but also when a problem arises and how both buyer and seller handled it. If your first response comes in the form of negative or neutral feedback, having never given the seller a chance to address your issue, then you, as a buyer have not done your job properly, either.

5.) Leave the appropriate feedback. Base it honestly on your experiences with that seller. Like karma, poor sellers won't last long on eBay, but it requires honest feedback. And if your seller went above and beyond, state so. The next dealings with that seller will come with an even more gentle hand if yours was the feedback that made them feel good about theirselves.

6.) And lastly: HAVE FUN!! You have just propelled the economy of the Greatest Country on Earth! As a buyer, every purchase you make is a "dollar vote" toward that seller. Understand and appreciate the power you hold as a buyer, treat your seller with respect, and then absolutely demand the same back.

Thank you for spending your time reading my guide. We are all inter-connected within this great eBay setting, and I have met many interesting people as a seller and a buyer. Enjoy yourself out there in Cyber World. And anytime you would like to test me, you can do so at: T and A's Variety Shop 

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Now that you are finished with this guide, please rate it for me. Thank you in advance!