In a recent guide, I wrote on how to properly read and interpret a seller's feedback rating. In this guide I will survey some of the things you need to look for when reading the auction description.

First thing: The title is usually what leads you to look at the auction itself. But reading just the title is NEVER enough. The title is just there to make you click on the item. Do not bid on an item just because the title sounds good.

The first thing to look for in a description is: Is the auction really selling what the title made me think it was selling? I have heard of buyers getting frustrated after bidding on some item just to discover that they have actually bid on some wholesale list for that item, not for an item itself. If you search for Wholesale Lists you will notice the titles and photos which to a newcomer might appear as if the item itself is being sold, when all that is actually sold is a paper or a cd with a list of ebay addresses. Nothing wrong with sellers selling wholesale lists, but it has to be clear that the auction is just for a list. This is just one of many examples. Another example is when you bid on what you think is an xbox, but if you had read the description carefully you would have seen you are just bidding on an email address containing xbox and not on an xbox itself! Often the seller is at fault for not describing what is being sold clearly, but as a buyer you can avoid such griefs if you read the description carefully. ALWAYS READ THE DESCRIPTION, no matter how flashy the title is, or how nice the pictures are. Make sure what you see in the title and in the picture is actually what is being sold and not something else that is related to it.

You should also look for the condition of the item: Is it new or used? Is it in mint condition or does it have wear and tear? If you have any questions, it is important that you contact the seller BEFORE placing a bid.

Next look at the shipping and handling costs. WOW you found a great deal on a DVD you've always wanted, only $1.99!!!! Of course you buy it immediately. But htis deal no longer sounds as great when you find out the seller's shipping and handling charge for that item is $10 which you did not know since you didn't read the auction desctiption. It is important to learn the shiping charges BEFORE bidding. If you dont think they are fair, do not bid.

Last but not least find out the payment methods the seller accepts. Make sure you are able to pay and agree to the seller's method. If you do not have paypal don't bid on an item that says "paypal only". If you prefer to pay by paypal dont bid on an item that says "money orders only" and so on.

Bottom line: Always read the description, left to right, bottom to top and diagonally. Make sure to read any small any fine print the description may have. It may take a few more minutes of your time, but will save you grief in the long run.