My personal experiences with shopping on eBay have been largely a positive one.  However,  the following information may help some of you.

1.  Please read the listing thoroughly before bidding.

Make sure that you are aware of the sellers shipping, payment and returns policy.  If this isn't stated in the listing, ask the seller before bidding.  You can save yourself and the seller a lot of aggravation.

Examples:

• It wasn't what I thought it would be:  You may be in for a rude surprise, if the non-returnable item you just received was damaged or flawed in some way, and you have no recourse for returning it.  The listing indicated the damage (maybe in fine print), but somehow you missed it...
• Adult only items.  If you are purchasing an adult only items (such as, knives, swords, tools, chemicals, rated videos, etc.), the seller may have policy that these items will require an adult signature at delivery point.  Make sure that your delivery address has a provision for this. As an example, if you are not normally home during the day, have it shipped to your workplace instead.
• Is it legal in your area?  Reputable sellers will not intentionally ship anything that they know to be illegal, in your state, county, city, or borough.  As an example, certain types of edged items (such as Bowie knives, daggers or knives longer than certain lengths) are illegal own, buy, ship-to, or sell in areas like California, Vermont, and New York.
• Is a problem a miscommunication, or a mistake on my part?  Try to work with the seller to resolve the issues that you have and/or use eBays Dispute Resolution console, before leaving negative feedback.  Most reputable sellers will be willing to make a situation right, unless what you are asking for is unreasonable, or unjust.  As an example:  A buyer purchases an item, and leaves negative feedback that his or her item hasn't arrived after 4 or 5 business days from the auctions close.  This listing clearly indicated that under normal circumstances, they try to ship within 1 -2 business days after payment has been received.  The buyer made payment 2 days after the auction ended, and the buyer only paid for UPS Ground shipping (even though faster methods were available during checkout).  Depending on where you are located in relationship to the seller, under this scenario, it would not be reasonable to expect receipt of the item until somewhere between 7 - 12 business days after the auction had ended.

2.  What the listing doesn't say...

While the majority of eBay sellers are reputable, there are always some that push the envelope, using very devious (if not down right dishonest) selling practices. Here are some good examples of what to watch for:

• Is the shipping cost realistic?  Some sellers offer you bargains, only to make up the loss of profit by jacking up the shipping and and handling charges.  As an example: $35.00 is charged for shipping a item that probably costs $10.00 - $15.00 ship.  Reputable sellers will only charge actual shipping costs plus a small handling charge to cover additional expenses (packaging, adult signature, delivery confirmation, etc.).  The rule here is:  When in doubt, ask and confirm with the seller.
• Swords & Knives:  The seller is listing Lord of the Rings collectable swords for sale at what appear great bargains.  The listing prices are much lower that what similar dealers can even purchase at wholesale or even at closeout prices.  The seller uses photo's of the officially licensed product in order to give the impression that you are about to bid on an "Officially Licensed" collectable made by the licensed manufacturer.  When you get the item, you find out that you were shipped a cheap knock-off counterfeit product.  The rule here is:  Make sure that you confirm that the listing actually specifies the manufacturers name, and product/model number (example:  United Cutlery - UC1426).  Search the "completed items listings" for sales of the "Real McCoy" before bidding.    This way you can get and idea what the true going rate for that type of item.  Also, check the sellers negative feedback for signs of this related to this sort of thing.  
• Jewelry items: The listing says it's 14K gold.  What you are shipped is actually 14K gold-filled.  Reputable sellers should specifically list or be willing to supply you answers to the following:  Is it solid gold or hollow gold?  What is the physical weight in grams?  Is it 14K Gold, 14K Gold Filled (14KGF), or 14K Gold Electro-plated (14KGE)?  This kind of thing also applies to silver jewelry as well (Sterling Silver v.s. Silver Plated).  Basically, you are confirming what kind of value you are really getting for you money.
• Electronic Items:  New v.s. reconditioned, and knock-offs.  If an electronic item is re-conditioned, you are taking a calculated risk from the start.  Unless it has a full manufacturer's warranty you'll need to balance the risk opposed to going with the new item.  Knock-offs:  This listing says that it's for a "Panasoanic" DVD player.  You think that "Panasoanic" is just a typo for "Panasonic", but what you just purchased is a knock-off product designed to give the appearance of a name brand quality product.  Again, the rule here is:  When in doubt ask and confirm.
• Software:  This listing indicates that you are purchasing a legitimately licensed Microsoft Windows XP Operating System for a really great price that is well below wholesale.  Attempting to register your software with Microsoft, you find that what your serial numbers are in use by thousands of other users.  Microsoft will not allow you to continue to auto-update service packs. or install them until this is resolved.  This could really put your computer at risk.  The rule here is:  "If the deal sounds just to good to be true, it's probably a scam!" 

Hope you have a safe shopping experience!

archoutfit