One of the most sad event is bidding on a interesting item and to find out that the person selling it had no idea what it was. Not that you got taken because of this mistake. If you did your homework and check the internet and stores you know better. You know what the cover box looks like and the what in the content of the box. Or a book other cover or a DVD insert package.

The best tip is know what you want and research it. Going to the maker site to see if they still make the product and if it currently being sold. This give you the picture it current being sold retail by stores or online stores. Example: My Iomega USB Powered Zip 250MB. Would not work anymore. I need another one. Iomega pretty much looks like it is discontinuing the product and pushing their 750MB USB model. But that does not work with the 100MB disk which I have a couple hundred. Retail the 250MB Zip drive is $129 by the maker and range from $99 to $130. The last week I was able to get four 250MB Zip drives by observing various listing. I seen new one for $49 to 69 to buy now. But I would take my chance on a used model for under $40. That what I did, I picked up four for various prices under $35 to $40 or less. Some of the suction I picked up 250MB Zip Disks with it. The one drive I got working fine, so I am happy. But getting the other were mainly for backups. I use one at work and on my other computer. I know you saying that what thunb drives are for. But I am old fashion PC user. Some of us, like to use old devices that they are comfortable with. I have a Old SyQuest Flyer 230MB, Castlewood Orb 2.2GB and the Zip all attached to other my computer and work fine.

Saving money is you goal for using eBay. But knowledge is worth every penny of saving you money.

I set up my web browsers favorites with all the shopping sites and search engines and products web sites. I use eBay to get little things. Such as Games, books, DVD and PC items unders $100. Anything more I go to a store. Becasue even if the seller back the item he sell. Mailing it back and waiting is not my thing. I lke physically return things and get a refund. That the reason to check the sales for this. It may not be much. I purchased a Castlewood drive that had a smoke smell and did not work and the dishes that came with it was deflected. I wrote the seller and he would not return my money. saying they were fine. But for $15 it was nt worth the problem. See what happen there. Sellers would post deflected and very cheap items. Seeing is a person would bid and not return it. It $15 out my pocket and he got rid of a trash.

DVD movies are another item. I burn my own movie backup sometimes. Because young kids don't know how to handle them. I only use the original to play when I am there. DVD movies are hugh business here on eBay and Amazon market place. I found the best place to get release movies is Wal-Mart online. They ususally half price and S+H is at last look 99c. But I do price around to Buy.com, Amazon.com and Half.com and others. Know I know what the lowers price I could get for. I hit eBay and see if I could get the new release cheaper. I will never touch a seller who ships the product from oversears. Even if he a American Seller. I got a EA game once that did not have the serial number and could not install the game. I had to go to EA with copies of the cover and CD and blooklet and they gave me the number. Know the package of the DVD or Game you getting for your country. Different packaging for different country are the norm.

Video Games & PC Games, I prefer PC Games over console games. Consoles are meat money that the games get outdated so fast that within a few months you fould get the game for $5 and you shell out $49 for. I learn that lesson with the earlier game systems of 20-30 years ago. I could not get 25c for the hottest titles of the time. It a waste of money and that why I like the PC version of the games. I never pay retail full value. I know what to look for. I know the label of the game. Know most games are DVD shipped because of the hugh contents eebloased in the game. Online gaming is king and you want to be part of it. my only tip is go to EB and Game Stop ask to see the CD/DVD of the Game. Know what inside the case. When you hit eBay for a game. Look for it with knowing what it contents. Seller know that and would list everything and picture it. Check where the person from and if they ship it. Anything more then $5/6 shipping is ripping you off. You don't need the game the next day. It not worth the added cost for shipping. Unless you really need the game.

Books buying are another group. I sell my books on Amazon becuase there system is much easy to work with. It set up and they book is listed for 3 months. I ususally low ball everyone. Unless I know the book is worht something. eBay you have to check book sites to see what the book is curently sold retail. If it in the original wrap. That great you asked for full value. Since it in mint condition. Once open and used. It half or more less the value. I ship my books USPS for $2.14 book rate. It takes a week. I tell the buyer that. I like guide books with my PC Games. That where I don't mine a used copy of the guide. Best Sellers. Wait a few months and get for a third of the price.

Other products hardware, home products, pictures and antiques. This is a case by case research to do. I don't have the space to talk about them. But I gave you pointers how to go about looking for prices. Antiques are a roll of the dices. This goes with experences and know the items in question. What pretty does not mean itshould be worth so much. I do this for a living as art appraiser. Even me get fool many times over. It not a direct science, but a simiple way to check. You don't need to bring it to the Antique Roadshow.