Posted By:
warshawlawI find ebay to be very worthwhile notwithstanding the crappy feedback situation. I can count one one hand the number of truly sour transactions I have had with ebay sellers and bidders.
Of paramount importance is knowing what you are buying and doing a little research on the items first if something unknown to you comes up. Ask questions and run if the answers are not satisfactory. For example, a couple of years ago I saw an uncatalogued PC of Joe Jackson for sale by a seller who obviously did not know that the item had significant value (it had started at a low minimum bid with no reserve). I satisfied myself through independent research and asking questions that the item was genuine and I bid very well on it. I didn't win, but that's not the point. When I first saw PRO cards, I tried to find their web site--when I couldn't even find it, I decided that the service had to be crappy. I then learned of all of the scandals.
Once the auction itself satisfies me, I take additional basic steps to protect myself. For example, I simply do not buy items that are very expensive unless I can use a credit card or Paypal to pay for it. Ability to accept a credit card usually ensures that the seller has a business, and using it or Paypal provides me with the opportunity to dispute the bill if I don't get the item or am cheated on it. I also always, always pay for insurance on bigger ticket items. Nevermind the protection against shipping damage, insurance guarantees that the seller generates a record of the shipment with the USPS. Meaning that if I send money and don't get the item, I can demand the insurance slip and if they cannot produce it, I will win my credit card dispute over the item since they have no proof of shipment.
Where I do fault ebay is in not cleaning up the listings when repeat abusers are involved (Roy Huff, for example). The cut out crap infesting the pre 1930's listings now are not cards and should be moved to the memorabilia section.