All too often while searching ebay for the wonderful deals on comics, posters, statues, and any other collectibles you can imagine a comic book retailer selling, you come across the "Pre-Sell" or perhaps the "Pre-Order".  Most if not all are sure to comply with ebay's policy on pre-selling and post the little disclaimer telling you that if they do not have the item by a certain date you are entitled to your money back. 

Please be aware for those of you who don't know that EVERYTHING in the comic related industry is advance solicited.  I am a comic book store owner and I order anywhere from as little as two months to as much as eight months in advance.  Before I opened my own brick and mortar store I too fell victim to the "Pre-Sell" listings on ebay.  The seller states you'll have the item in roughly 30 days knowing full well they will not receive the item in their store for months (assuming the distributor has no delays).  Once, your 30 days comes and goes the communication is all too often less than cordial or non-existent.

So, you'll probably never get a seller to confirm that indeed the pre-sell will take longer than 30 days.  What are your options?  Well, one option is be willing to accept the fact that you'll be waiting longer than the time frame the seller has stipulated.  Another option is not ordering it until a seller lists the item as "In Stock & Ready to Ship".  If you're willing to wait for the item to ship to the seller please be aware that the time fram may actually go well beyond the permissable time allotted for disputes and claims.  I found myself in that very situation and had to threaten to show up at their brick and mortar store since I lived within driving distance.

I hope this guide helps shed some light on the comic sellers' dirty little ebay secret.  I wish you all the success in your hobby collecting both on and off ebay!!!