Welcome to my World! Also, a big Welcome to the world of buying on Ebay!  I believe there are some things I can share with you that will make your buying experience a Happy one and successful one on Ebay!

1 .First of all, You Need to establish a Paypal Account.  Many sellers will only accept Paypal for Payment.

2. READ EVERYTHING in a listing BEFORE YOU BID!!!!!  Make sure you understand their payment polices, shipping polices and the condition of the item.

3. READ ALL of the Sellers Feedback before you BID!    If they have a lot of blackened stars, you need to ask questions about the shipping costs, etc. Some Sellers charge a handling fee that is reasonable and some charge more to make up for their losses on auction Items. I personally no longer bid or buy anything where the seller charges an exorbinant handling fee or shipping costs.

4. Check your messages in Ebay for information from sellers and also do respond to their emails. Communication is vitally important. 

5.  Always pay according to their requirements and email them if you are going to be out of town when an item closes.

6. Be prompt in leaving Feeback and Be Fair.   Sellers are graded by the star system which determines their Ebay fees consequently.  There are four categories that you give them stars in addition to your feedback as follows:

Accuracy in Description of Item -  Read the description thoroughly in the listing. If the seller has described it accurately to the best of their ability then they deserve a 5 star rating!

Communication  -  Did the seller email you with information after you won the item and did they email you with shipping information?   If they do communicate with you promptly then they deserve a 5 star rating.

Shipping Charges -  If sellers charge you what the shipper charges ( like the usps  charges  for a flat rate box $10.25 + a small handling fee ) Then they deserve a 5 star rating. Be aware that shipping costs are high these days and the rates have just been increased, but this is not a seller's fault.  Real the shipping charges that the seller puts in the listing and then email them if you are interested in purchasing more than one item.  Ask them how much it would cost for certain items to be shipped altogether in the same box.  Some sellers only will charge you 1 handling fee for multiples, some charge no handling fee as I do not charge my customers for handling and most will really save you money on multiple purchases on shipping. Just ASK QUESTIONS!   Don't Ever Assume Anything!    Sales training seminars taught  what ASSUME Stands for: 

Shipping Time - Here again, READ the Listing information regarding shipping time.  If a seller says a certain time frame for shipment to go out and does that , then the seller has done their part.  Most sellers are very concientious to inform buyers if they are out of town, on Vacation, etc or shipping will be delayed for any reason.  My policy is that when a seller informs me of the time frame and all details, then that seller deserves 5 stars no matter what!  

I believe that there should be one additional star grade which would be for packaging.  I have received many collectible and irreplaceable items that I purchased on Ebay that broke my heart, because the seller wrapped them in newspaper and they arrived broken to shreds.  Most sellers will give you a full refund if this happens.  However, if the item is antique or vintage it is such a tragedy to me because these kinds of things are irreplaceable.... Sellers really need to learn how to package. Most do a Wonderful Job!  Kudos to Them!  It is so much fun to open your packages that have your wonderful finds on Ebay!  I so love packaging so my customers will feel like it is Christmas!!!!!  

To Sum it all Up!  Have Fun! Be Couteous!  Ask Questions, and for Heaven's Sake, PLEASE READ EVERYTHING in the listing BEFORE BIDDING!    If you Are NEW to EBAY with low Feedback scores, It really goes a long way with a seller if you will Email Them and let them know that you are a serious buyer and have understood their policies regarding payment and shipping!  You can get some really great deals on Ebay!  Remember that a Bid is a contract.....  If you bid and win, you have made a contract to pay according to the sellers store policies.  It is so much fun at the end to try to outbid and to win!!!!     What a thrill!

Good Luck & ENJOY!