Hello everyone:  I am writing this guide, but I would rather call it advice.  I am fairly new to Ebay and I love it.  Broke my leg in February and shopping killed the boredom.  After I got the hang of it, I was hooked.  Getting any and all things I wanted by just playing a game like Vegas was fun and I waited for the mail to look at all my treasures. 

Unfortunately the novice that I am, I did not consider for a minute I would be victim to fraud.  What a disappointment.  I searched and found and bid, paid and won.  But I didn't know that I was bidding on an item I would never get and on a sellers hacked account that she kindly e-mailed me NOT to pay her account had been hacked and therefore she would be suspended till investigation was complete.  I am out money and her business is frozen. 

My advice to you is this, and believe me it will become a habit for me too.  Don't just look at feedback in this case it didn't matter since the account had been stolen.  Look at the items this seller has up for aution.  Check the comments on the items.  If the item you are bidding doesn't fit.  Then walk away.  No response to e-mails with specific questions.  Walk away.  Unlike what I did, I saw what I wanted and ran. BIG MISTAKE !! Now I search any and all clues. It isn't what you see is what you get.  It is fun but it can cost you. 

We have learned to rely on the internet to give us answers, products, and communication.  But relying on your instincts isn't part of Ebay.  Go the extra keystroke to make sure you are getting what you pay for.  Now don't get me wrong, I will continue to bid, buy and search for goodies.  Maybe even sell one day too.  For all the honesty so far I have encountered I thank the sellers. But that one bad apple crept into that proverbial basket and soured my day.  It makes you feel used and abused.  But as the saying goes "Buyer Be Ware" .  And this Ebayer will be hard to fool again.

I hope this makes anyone who has fallen victim in anyway on Ebay, feel a bit better.  Ebay is doing what they can to search and re-imburse.  And I thank them.

Have a great day, Have fun bidding and remember a few more minutes looking can save a headache or two.  :)

Smoreno2