The purpose of this guide is to help anyone looking for a laptop on eBay, specifically the Dell XPS M1710.  Let's be honest, the laptop is one of the best out there, so it is very tempting to go looking on eBay for one at a cheaper price than what Dell charges on their website.  If you remember anything from this guide concerning the Dell XPS M1710, or any other great sounding laptop, remember this... IF THE DEAL SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE... IT IS.  I know this from two personal experiences on here.  To keep it brief...

Watch out for sellers CHARITY MOORE and ERIC SMITH (ID - eric47265).  Charity's ID (lookin4h) isn't valid anymore because she has been banned from eBay.  But if you see her name (who knows if that's her real name or if she's really a woman) or Eric's, run the other way.  Charity was selling out of Georgia, and Eric out of North Vernon, Indiana.  Both times, it seemed too good to be true (both had separate auctions for a Dell XPS M1710 for around $1500) and both times I got an email from each explaining some bull as to why I wasn't getting the item I paid for.  Fortunately, I got all my money back since I refuse to buy any auctioned item not buyable through PayPal with a credit card.  Charity said her eBay account was hacked into and Eric said PayPal wanted him to do a "bunch of stuff" before he could get his money.  Bull and double bull.  BidPay sent me an email saying payment was denied for Charity's auction because of suspicion of fraud and, after I emailed Eric explaining how I wouldn't let what happened with Charity happen to me again, PayPal sent me an email with a crap explanation from Eric eventually saying my money was being refunded.

To summarize, stay away from CHARITY MOORE and ERIC SMITH and, IF THE DEAL SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS.