DON'T LET EMOTION GUIDE YOU!   We all want bargains.  But what you may consider a bargain another buyer may not.   If you see a coin you want, ask yourself "how much is this worth to me?"  Then bid that amount at the onset in one single bid and move on to another listed item.  If you're outbid, you then have to decide if you're willing to pay more or not.  If you are, decide what that amount is and bid only that amount and if you are still outbid, let it go.  Keep you bidding to TWO-THREE BIDS MAX.  Chances are another item just like it will come up sooner or later.  

NEVER CANCEL A BID.  Of course if you bid something like 1400 and you meant 140, OK.  That's fair.  Always look carefully at the item and sales conditions before you bid.  If you have to cancel a bid, make certain you do re-bid the amount you intended, in this case 140.  Always a couple of minutes to email the seller to explain what happened. 

ALWAYS PAY RAPIDLY.  Sellers love fast payers and you're likely to get better service if you pay within minutes of the bid closing.  If you don't have the funds right then and there, don't bid. 

ALWAYS LEAVE POSITIVE FEEDBACK WHEN POSSIBLE.  The vast majority of transactions go smoothly. Naturally there will be cases where a coin gets lost or the seller is fraudlant.  Ebay is a buyer beware set-up.  Look at the seller and his feedback before you bid.  If it's below 99% look-up what problems have come up and judge for yourself.  In any event contact the seller before you leave negative or neutral feedback. 

NEVER LEAVE FEEDBACK BEFORE YOU RECEIVE THE MERCHANDISE.  If you don't get what you ordered or the item turns out to be not as described, contact the seller and if that doesn't get you satisfaction, report it to Ebay and Paypal.   If you left positive feedback, it ties Ebay's hands. 

NEVER PAY AN OVERSEAS SELLER WITH ANYTHING BUT PAYPAL.  If they don't have a Paypal account and are located outside the U.S. or Canada it's best to not participate. 

ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH HOW TO SPOT FAKES.  Forvm Coins has a whole section devoted to just this and where they're coming from.  Be leary of coins coming from China.  There is a higher probability of fakes especially if they are non-Chinese coins.  And, a great number of Chinese coins are fakes and the sellers may not even be aware of it.  China isn't the only place where fakes pop up.  Germany, England, Canada and Italy are bad about that.  Here in the U.S. it happens.  If you see a listing from these areas, take a second close look before you bid.  Aside from fakes there are a lot of well-intentioned sellers from all over who misidentify or misgrade.  But in most cases these folks are good about backing up what they sell and you can usually get your money back with no problem.

BE CAREFUL WITH ITALIAN SELLERS.  Their postal system is a joke.  Ask the seller to quote you a UPS or Fedex rate.  By using a currier you'll pay a lot more but you'll get your coins.