I had a horrible experience with item number 190157383426 and Seller Id: STANP386. If I had don't my homework and also not been so set on buying this item I would of seen all the warning flags. I am writing this to recommended that you don't repeat my mistakes and avoid a big head ache from any seller. Here is what to do.

CHECK FEEDBACK both received and lefted by the seller you are think of bid on. There is a web site for an organization called toolhaus. It will pull up all the feedback a seller has received, both negatives, neutrals and withdrawn and come up with a total. So a seller that uses a negative on a bidder to force mutual feedback withdrawl will not avoid the drop in ratings. Stan has a rating of 27 comments that are not positive. Look at STANp368 and all feedback is left only after it is lefted for him. If you leave a positive you get a positive, if you leave a negative or neutral you get a negative.

Look at the sellers feedback that they leave. do they leave factual feedback or do they name call and make up stuff. would you buy from a clerk in a brick and motar star that makes you the reason they messed up or always has an excuse. MOVE on and don't bid.

The ratings do tell you a lot about people.

Check the EBAY GUIDES. Only bid on items that use paypal and only use a credit card with paypal as funding. that gives you the ability to return the item and get a full refund even if paypal says it is a disagreement over condition.

My teacher at church bought a beautiful vase on Ebay and when it arrived the postal clerk wanted it opened in front of them. The seller had shipped it in a conair blow dryer box with no packing,This is a very flimsy box, the vase was shattered. The postal clerk made note of all the postal violation: Box was not heavy duty carboard, no packing peanuts or bubble wrap and was not label fragile. Even though there was insurance purchased it was voided by the clerk since it was not packed properly.

Paypal said it was a disagreement over condition. this bidder returned it to the seller and contacted the credit card company. The bidder had proof of return delivery, photographic proof with the postal clerk holding the box open with the shattered vase, also with a letter from the clerk and all of this was sent to the credit card company and they received a full refund. The bidder believes that the item was broken and seller didn't care since they had listed the item NO RETURN.

Credit card laws and policy will protect consumers. If it had been a direct withdrawl or echeck this bidder would be out the money. Check the feedback of the seller for all sales fb especially of the item you are thinking of bidding on. CHECK with TOOLHAUS to get a accurate look at any sellers feedback. they pull up all neutrals, negatives and feedback withdrawn both received or given.

ASK lots of questions of any seller, if they don't respond, don't bid! Nothing is that great to bid on if the seller is unwilling to respond. Ask the questions at least two days before close to get a response.

Use the reply to judge if this will be a smooth transaction.

Check the feedback they leave, do they even leave feedback. My attitude is once a bidder has made payment, feedback is due since they have completed their transaction.

Some sellers don't leave feedback as a leverage to get bidders to remove negative feedback and to avoid feedback that is less than popular. don't buy from sellers that use feedback this way. It should not be used in this way. Payment completes the bidders obligation in the transaction.

The bottom line is don't bid on any item until you know the seller.

if you are a non smoker always ask if their home is smoke free. Any item that has paper or cloth can absorb the odors from the smoke. I have bought books that smelled like an ashtray before I started asking about the home. Musical Instrument Cases can absorb smoke

Good luck in your bidding.