Buying and selling on ebay can be an exciting, rewarding, and pleasant experience. But. like with any sales transaction,  "Buyer, beware".

As a Buyer, be clearheaded about what you are bidding on. Is this an original, vintage item, or a reproduction? Does the box, book or package have a copyright date, an age-identifying mark or stamp? Do not hesitate to email the Seller with questions about backstamps, marks, history, condition and proof of age. Read the listing thoroughly, then read it again. If you think you are getting an original 1950's Fireking Jadeite Pepper Shaker, but didn't ask to see a photo of the bottom logo stamp and you receive a new green glass shaker, you will be dissapointed and feel taken. Ask questions. Do your homework. Bidding on impulse hurts both the Seller and the Buyer.Don't bid until you mean it, then know that morally, you are committed to your bid.

As a Seller, before you list an item that you call Vintage or Antique, use this rule of thumb: If it's at least 50 years old, it's considered "Vintage"; over 100 years old, it's "Antique". Do your research: Before you list something and incorrectly identify it, because "it looks like it's old," run advance searches with keywords on ebay and on Internet search engines. Check out reference books, newsletters and collector's magazines.And don't misrepresent... know your eras. Is that handbag Victorian  (pre-1900), or is it Art Deco (1920's - 1930's), Atomic -Mid Century-Eames Era (1950's), or Retro (1960's - 1970's)?

A bracelet found at a yard sale in 2006, amid plastic beads and brooch pins, was actually a Victorian Love Token bracelet from the 1880's. An old dirty white & black wine opener was actually a sterling silver and ivory corkscrew from the turn of the century. It took a lot of research to discover these things, but it greatly enhanced the listings and added a historical value to the item. These old items, amazingly, withstood the test of time and wound up not in museums but in peculiar places, likeYard Sales and Estate Sales, without a tag or note to explain their origin. The Seller has a responsibility to be honest and fair, complete and accurate in their Vintage and Antique item descriptions, an impossible feat if you do not do research and discover the origin of your items. It's a lot of fun, a never ending treasure hunt when you research your items before listing them...Not to mention your items will most likely end at auction for a much higher bid, because you are selling not only the items, but a story, a piece of history too.

Do your due diligence: Do your research. You will gain knowledge to help you grow as an Ebay Seller , and your customers will come to trust and thank you.