You know exactly what you want - a rare baseball card or a low priced designer handbag - and now you have found exactly where to get it: the world's biggest and best online marketplace - eBay. Welcome!

Buying online can be daunting if you have little or no experience and it's easy to be overwhelmed by flashy titles and the lure of a 1 cent Louis Vuitton bag. The best way to ensure a good experience with any online shopping expedition is to do you homework and to start small.

Here are some of the things I wish someone would have told me before I hit "Bid Confirm" the first time:

1. First, Be specific in yoour searches, but also remember to check the box for "Titles and Descriptions." This one box has helped me find exactly what I'm looking for because the seller neglected to put the information in the title that would have put the listing in my regular search.

2. Check feedback like crazy. I'm a drama queen and look at all the negative first. I pay attention to what the negative feedback said, as well as what the seller left for the person who left the negative feedback. Thier response will tell you a lot about how they deal with customers.

3. Look at at least 3 other items in your price range than the one you are looking at before bidding. This will give you an idea of what is out there and if you are paying too much. It is also a good idea, if you are buying a designer item, to go to an established retailer's site (Saks, Bergdorf Goodman) or the designer's site and compare details of the item with their pictures. I once purchased a "Gucci" waist pak and found that not only was the logo upside down, but the stitching was the wrong color - something easily avoided if I would have paid attention.

4. If it sounds way too good to be true, it probably is. It's true - any 1 cent Louis Vuitton bag is a big fakety fake and you are better off without it!

5. If yoou really want to item, don't engage in an early bidding war with someone. Ebay is like driving, some people get personally offended that you bid against them (like when you go to pass someone on the road and they get angry and speed up) and will keep bidding just to 1) jack the price up or b) get the item no matter what so that you don't get it. I had a problem with this emotional item attachment early on and paid $150 for some old sewing patterns that I really didn't want. Not vintage, old. And ugly.

6. This one goes with # 5 - wait until the last 15 minutes of the item you want, gage the price (i.e. are you willing to pay this much for the item) and watch it until the last two minutes. Then place your bid and wait for your new item.

I hope this helps all you newbies out there - eBay is a great place and I hope to see you out there! Happy Bidding and good luck!

gracylue