First and Foremost -- if you are relatively new (i.e. feedback in the hundreds rather than thousands) PLEASE take note of the following information.  These Quick tips for Newbies (and IMPORTANT Reminders for Everyone Else) will help you to remain safe on eBay and the hucksters are looking fo5r targets (you ) and succeed a disgusting amoutn of the time!

-  NEVER – NO, NOT EVER should you click on a link in an email that looks like it is from eBay or PayPal.  PayPal and eBay do NOT send emails with links -- only thieves do!  This is a critical lesson that should be learned (and NEVER forgotten).  If it is a REAL ebay email it will be INSIDE eBay in "My Messages."

-  Download eBay’s toolbar – it warns you before you click on a fraudulent or suspect websites pretending to be eBay.

-  Virtually NO incredible deal is really an incredible deal!  It might be a good one but too good to be true it is not….If you see auctions selling fantastic items for 99 cents – check the postage for $80.00!

-  ¾ of the bidding on almost any auction takes place during the final minutes of an auction so don't be upset when it is out there for a week with no bids. 

-  Sometimes auctions are won by mere pennies – always bid odd bid amounts (i.e. 10.07 not $10.00)

-  Build your feedback through many small purchases, and when possible from the same seller offering combined shipping to save on shipping too!  You can also buy ebooks and re3cipes for a penny apiece.  (This is a great way to repair bad feedback ratings too).

-  If there is no shipping charge quoted in the ad (and no shipping calculator), ASK before bidding! Bids are considered contracts to buy.  However, when there was a hidden “rip-off” not presented in the ad (such as outrageous shipping fees), you can (and should) withdraw your bid.  Do not make a habit of withdrawing bids because it makes you look like a shill bidder.  However, withdrawing a bid can be (and often is) done when you get caught by this particular scam.

-  The word “rare” is meaningless on eBay.  So, it is better not used in ads (unless absolutely true).  Nor should it be believed by buyers.

-  Never buy anything from anyone making offers outside of Ebay.  If the deal fails to go through, (i.e. they have your money and you have no item) you have zero recourse to get your money back.  So, unless you have money to waste, outside purchases are never a good idea.

-  Never bid on an auction that ONLY accepts payment by wire transfers, Western Union, or cash – it screams “scam.”  In fact DON'T ever pay that way it is a favorite of crimminals.

-  Bidding is fun and easy as pie -- buying too.  Do yourself a favor, though, and learn a little about the process and Ebay features before bidding and selling.  There are thousands of guides written to help you and they are FREE.  If you learn about it before you do it, you will likely have a good outcome and remain with the community and continue to enjoy eBay.  It is truely a shame when people get victimized but they CAN help themselves remain safe by reading for a bit.

-  Always check a seller’s feedback rating before buying.  The community polices itself through the feedback system.  Sellers with consistently bad feedback don’t sell on eBay for long.  While on the subject of feedback -- if you are new, DON'T give negative feedback PERIOD!  Those with low feedback numbers have much more to loose when you get the negative feedback given back to you by the seller (and this usually happens, deserved or not).  I don't defend the behaviour I just tell you the truth.  The rating you have is representative of the number of feedback you have as it relates to neutral and negative.  Therefore, if you have three feedback and get one is a negative you will be in the "untouchable" range for bidders and sellers in an instant.  While your seller, if they have been around awhile, will be little affected by your negative.  I know it isn't fair, but it is the way it actually works most of the time and it is a shame to find that out after you have been burned.  It is also true that when good sellers get negatives, it is usually from a newbie who thinks this is a forum for critiquing their item (it isn't).  If you do have problems with a seller, you can work it out through PayPal or eBay rather than leaving a negative that will surely get you one back. Feedback is solely to identify bad or fraudulent sellers with whom you could not achieve a satisfactory deal directly – it is NOT a place to critique the merchandise.  Please use feedback appropriately?  If you want to know the complete story on Feedback -- check out my guide on the subject.

-  Research the item you want to be sure it really is a bargain before you buy it.  Getting caught up in an auction frenzy might mean you are paying more than necessary or even practical.

-  I believe in international buying and selling.  Having said that, it is still important to be cautious when buying internationally because it will be almost impossible to get at the seller who cheats you.  So, I would keep international purchases to affordable items from highly reputable sellers.

-  Want to know if an email you got is really from PayPal or eBay?  Log in to eBay and go to “My eBay” and then “My Messages”.  If it is there (inside eBay) it is real, if it isn’t inside eBay it is not real. Simple way to check and ALWAYS worth checking!

-  Find a GREAT seller with lots of wonderful stuff and great prices too??  Make sure you can find that seller again by saving the seller in your Favorite sellers List.

-  Virtually NO outrageous deal is really a good deal!  If it seems to good to be true it most likely IS!!  This cannot be said enough!  You see auctions selling fantastic items for 99 cents – check the postage for $80.00!  Mystery boxes are rarely a good deal and eBooks and downloads are great for purchasing feedback mostly.
 
Hope this helps to keep you safe and make your eBay experience joyful everytime -- all the time!

Please drop by my store (The Write Place) and Auctions (Pepper120851)