I am both a buyer and seller on Ebay.  It is a fabulous concept and way to purchase, but like anything, you have to know what you are doing.  There are quality ranges from Walmart  to Nieman Marcus on here, new and used.  Asking questions is the main thing, and reading about the item.  Asking about smoke and pet hair, how old is it, condition of box, where was it stored, does it take batteries, is it in working order, and return policy.  For electrical items, have they been checked to see if they still work.  Ask before you bid.  

Ebay has the convenience of you finding it right away, having it be delivered to your door, and you don't have to wait in line or not find your size or color.  It doesn't have to be cheaper to work for you.  It can just be better because it is so exact, and you do it from a sitting position at a computer.  You can shop on a lunch break,  during a boring meeting, while your husband is watching sports, kids are napping, boss is on the phone.  You can get very good at this because one you learn your way around, how to look up items, things that artist make, etc, you can ZOOM right in to the territory that you need to be in, and then get right back out if boss gets off the phone.

You can "watch" them, so they are saved for you.  There are also different ways to look up what you are searching for.  It can be by the company, the toy title, a wider range by age, size, color, (pink tree) etc, and you can really narrow your searching time when you can be more specific.  I was looking for a "dancing santa".  I plugged that in, and they all came up, even when they were in many different categories.  That can be true for many items you need.  I wanted a little girls pink lamp, and I did the same thing.  All of the the pink lamps came up.  I used to think I had to go into kids, bedroom, 7 year old, etc.  It's much shorter this way.

Live auctions have great deals.  But sitting until the last 10 seconds of them is sometimes impossible.  When anyone can do it, it's great, and some of the best deals are had.  Remember that people sell when moving, downsizing, or have extras, things kids outgrew.  So it's a great way to get things if you can be there. 

If not, use buy it now.  You can see items that are ready to buy without waiting for a bid, the prices are set.  Now they are listed from lowest to highest prices so you can pick the best deal for you.  Cheaper is not always better, because you have to make sure you know the condition of the item.

I have received a couple of moldy items that were stored in the basement or somewhere, and arrived to me with an order that can't come out.  So make sure you ask first and are told the real condition.  Most sellers will just be honest because they don't want returns or claims filed, so just ask.  I always ask now if it's not a new item. 

I always check for new, used, box, no box, smoke, no smoke, pet, no pet, and shipping terms.  Qualities are so different, so that is huge.  There are many names we know, many that we have never heard of.  Then you have to put all of your trust in your seller, and read the descriptions. 

I do not like "reserve not met" auctions, and think they are a waste.  If a seller lists the start at $.99 with "reserve not met, I have watched many of those auctions, get a bunch of bids and never get sold.  It's a waste of time, and the seller pays fees for that.  I list my desired amount on a live auction, and start there.  And know that it has to be shipped so that's in there as well.

Remember that people selling really inexpensive items may have gotten them as a gift or bought them second hand, and didn't spend the actual retail value.  So when trying to determine something's real value, the lowest going Ebay price is not the measuring stick.  For example if you see a $200 Barbie doll selling by someone for $10.00, it doesn't mean that the value of that doll went down.  It means that for whatever reason, that seller either didn't pay that, doesn't care, or maybe got it for a gift and just wants to sell it.  So grab that deal.  But it doesn't mean at all that the value of that doll is only $10.00, it means you got a great deal on a very beautiful item that is worth far more than you paid for it.  And that goes with most items like this.

I just keep practical.  And I proioritize between what I want, and what I can afford.  It's very fun to be shopping this way, and as a lifetime member to every single mall in America, I have found that this is even better.  

I have learned to put a top amount on what I am bidding for.  I remember when I started, I did not do that, and just kept bidding and bidding, and sometimes it was more than I should have, so now, I look at the item, keep a notpad beside this computer, and have my highest amount down.  If I am outbid, I just know that I will find it again, and I stop.  And if by chance I miss out on that, there are just thousands of other items to take its place, and I set up my next set of bidding with the same deal, and will only bid for that until.......  I don't get everything, but I didn't in a mall either. 

Ebay keeps growing because it is very on top of its game.  I like to be that way as well, and really know what I am doing.  I keep learning, even now.  It keeps changing also.     

 I have had the experience to deal with some of the most wonderful people on here, and I highly recommend it to everyone.  But you do have to learn your way around it, and check what you are doing before you buy it.  Unlike a store, you can ask as many questions as you want to your seller before you do a single thing.  Unlike a store, you can sit at a desk and think about it without standing in line.