Hello friends!

Internet shopping is the newest way to do business. The internet retail world is growing by leaps and bounds. As the opportunities to make money and to find almost anything you want continue to blossom, so do the opportunities for you to be ripped off. The purpose of this guide is to give you some helpful information about ways to protect yourself from cheap garbage and outright fraud. My associates and I want you to be as safe and secure as possible when buying and selling on the internet.

SOME BASIC RULES:

Your first defense against internet trouble is to NEVER use automatic log in for any feature on your computer. Those automatic log in's are nice and easy but they require your passwords to be recorded on your machine. When your passwords reside on your computer they are available for any small time hacker to find and use if they get into your machine. Make no mistake here, it is very easy for a less than talented hacker to enter your computer. Keep your machine security up to date. Use the best anti-hacking programs you can find. This author personally recommends McAfee security services. There are a lot of other good options out there. Get your machine well protected and keep your user names and passwords written in a seperate address book which you can keep in a handy place. Protecting your computer is as important as protecting your family and money. Use that same level of care.

Choosing places to shop on line is fun and easy. The obvious place to start is right here.But don't be fooled into thinking that eBay is the best or the safest. Our research shows that's just not the case. You will be buying things on eBay but you must be very careful. Ebay does very little to protect you and when you have problems here, real customer service is almost invisible. Ebay censorship does not allow me to list the names of the dozens of other quality auction and sales sites available. Do a web search using words like auction, boutique, co-op, and buy safe. There are thousands of reputable sellers out there.

When choosing places to buy from on eBay you must be very careful. The majority of sellers on eBay are still very good and responsible but you need to screen your choices before you purchase. There are some easy ways to do that. The best way I have found is to enter the eBay community section and find groups which deal in your specific product interests. In those category specific groups you will find people who have experience on eBay. They can help you find safe and reliable sources. You will also find that the regional groups are full of people who are willing to help. Find regional groups which are close to your area. Then you'll be communicating with people who you can relate to.

There are some specific categories on eBay where you must exercise EXTREME care. These are some categories where we have experienced SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS.

CD's, DVD's and Game Discs:  There are too many bootleg copies of movies and music circulating the auctions. I myself won't buy CD's or DVD's here. You can find some reputable dealers but I stress that you must be very careful. NEVER purchase based on price alone. That will most often result in disappointment. NEVER buy from a seller who has high feedback numbers in their first year. That's a red flag every time. Good sellers have built from the ground up. Do your research. Never be fooled by inflated feedback numbers.

Video Game Consoles: In my personal opinion, you are far better off buying these units from off line sources. If you choose to buy them here then you had better do your homework. There is a video game group on eBay that I trust. Find them and use them. They are very knowlegable and helpful. They'll guide you through your purchases.

Shoes and Handbags: Counterfeit handbags have become a growing problem, BUYER BEWARE! Even the major manufacturers are screaming that something must be done to stop this. Many big lawsuits are circulating around fake purses and handbags. The best rule of thumb is: "If it seems too good to be true then it probably is." Once again, I know of a couple eBay groups which can help you screen your purchases. Don't be tricked into buying a cheap Chinese copy of a high end product you want. Get into the community groups. Let them guide you.

Jewelry and Loose Gemstones: DANGER, DANGER, DANGER! You'll find some good and safe stuff here but you'll have to search long and hard. Most of the reputable dealers have been buried in an avalanche of foreign low grade junk. Dig deep and do your reseach. When you find someone you can trust, stick with them. Look for sellers with a long history here. DO NOT buy from the "Johnny-come-lately's" without someone's recommendation. They'll only take you for a ride.

Fragrances: Use your common sense. You should be paying market price for high end goods. Bargain fragrances are just that... a bargain.  If you want "fake" perfume on your body or on the body of someone you love then go ahead and pay fake prices. You'll get what you pay for. Personally, I find that my wife just has a sexier appeal when it costs thirty dollars an ounce. Once again, dig deep and do your homework. Anyone selling thousands of bottles of cheap perfume is not to be trusted. Remember, those little glass bottles are cheap, but you're buying what's in them.

Stamps, Coins and Currency: Most of the reputable dealers have been chased off eBay by inflated listing costs. There are still a few strong and bold individuals who are hanging in here with a desire to protect you. Again I stress that you go into the community groups and seek out good dealers. You will find help and links to protective information. Counterfeits are rampant in these categories. Be very careful to protect yourself.

FINAL NOTES:

I hope you have found this information helpful. I only want you and your money to be safe. I do not sell in any of the above categories at the time of this writing, so this guide is not an advertising tool. I'm "in it for the next guy", that next guy is YOU!

I'll give you one more caution. Be very careful with Paypal. DO NOT exercise their alternate funding source option. DO NOT use their proxy account representative option either. Keep very strict control on your Paypal account. Check it at least three time a week and consistantly move your unneeded funds out. DO NOT allow Paypal to cross access your other banking. Keep them on a short leash and be sure to examine all your options.

For sellers, you cannot move your customers off site to make purchases from you, but you CAN move them off site to pay you. Weigh the costs and benefits. There are other excellent options out there. Be sure to protect yourself.

THIS GUIDE MAY BE COPIED, REPRODUCED AND LINKED TO.  YOU ARE INVITED TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH ANYONE!!!

 PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME DIRECTLY THROUGH THE EBAY MESSAGE SYSTEM FOR GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE... I WANT TO HELP YOU.

BE SAFE AND HAVE FUN!

Gary E. Sattler