I really watch for the shilling... it can be dramatic...today is a Canadian guy who sells highly desirable art supplies...

The shillers never "win" and I keep track of their initials, and watch for the feedbacks...never do they appear. Once they get the price really high a real person will show up and buy.

I really don't like the anon buying initials that ebay put in... I think it conceals the buyers who are dishonest..and may in fact be Ebay employees to inflate sales $$ so they will get more $$ in fees. So I just avoid these in the end.

Also if I think the merchandise is stolen, I won't bid on it.

There are alot of interesting sellers though on the apothecary portions of Ebay. I met a wonderful fellow who was selling saved discarded glassware from Eli Lilly...from a collector. I bought 2 of his offers! We had some very nice back and forth messages too. No shillers on his offers either.

For years now you will find that everyone you look at on an auction is anonymous. However, you can read your own handle. Of course, eBay knows who is bidding. And they keep track of this and a seller would be in big trouble in short order.

When on eBay click on Customer Support at the top and it will give you all the requirements, etc. as to how it works. There are many fees which a seller must pay. All taken into account by the seller.

I've been with Ebay over 5+ years, I am a Top Rated Plus Power Seller and many folks would be surprised how many items that they purchase ever week when "shopping" that can be purchased for less on Ebay. Heck you will also earn Ebay bucks that you can spend for more items on Ebay.
I have 100% positive feedback. I have had issues with purchases, but who here has ever had 100% positive experiences when shopping at WallyWorld or any store for that matter or just shopping period ? Everyone has paid too much at one point or has had a defective item or some such issue. Everyone...
So don't fear trying it, after all you spent your hard earned, valuable money at some local store for the first time, did'nt you ? L8r's

I love EBay. It allows me to buy unique gifts that people love. The kind of things that, even if I could get out easily to stores, I could never find in my small, remote community.

I have also saved a bundle using EBay. Being disabled, I have to watch every penny.

I love eBay too, just not as a seller. I have found some screaming deals (especially when people misspell things) but a 21 day hold on funds sucks rocks. Last time I sell on eBay for a LOOOOONG time that is for sure.

Crooks.

That is just not right.... if you had had complaints, I could understand it. But if not, it seems like a punishing rule, to me.

But you know...I really basically don't think Ebay is 100% legit. There are some really nice people selling there ...and I have corresponded with them. But I am so careful...who I buy from. I look at the sellers feedback, and other items for sale very carefully before dealing with a new seller.

Everything that Ebay has done lately to anonymize the buyers IDs strikes me as hindering my ability to research sellers in order to decide to bid.

So I still do buy there, but very very carefully.

Yup, that's their rules and regulations. I hate it when you buy more than one thing from a seller at the same time you only get one feedback as a buyer. The same for the seller. But that is how they have it now.

I still do business there and have found many good sellers whom I trust.