Shop Safely Online
eBay
Take it from someone who's been buying and selling on eBay for many years -- it really is a great place to shop. Nowhere else will you find the variety of "stuff" that's offered on eBay. And that includes everything from garage sale deals to the most expensive things on the planet.
No matter which web site you go to, shopping online requires you to be vigilante. It's always important to read the merchant's information, payment and shipping policies, for example. And best to pay with a credit card - cash disappears without a record, and other forms of payment may not offer you the protection you need if you have to return your merchandise or if your merchandise doesn't reach you as it should.
Fortunately, on eBay you can use PayPal. This payment system is set up to protect buyers, and through PayPal you can fund your purchases with your own credit card or bank account, or even a PayPal credit card. It's the best way to do business on eBay, and now on many other web sites. As a buyer, there's no cost to you for using PayPal, so take advantage of that extra protection.
Top-Rated Sellers - if you see the badge shown below, you know that the eBay seller in question has met eBay standards for customer service and satisfaction. However, please keep in mind that there are many fine sellers on eBay who are completely trustworthy but do not have this badge on their listings because they have a small volume of sales. The most important information about a seller is the feedback rating. If a seller has a feedback rating of better than 99%, you can feel comfortable doing business with them. So, a Top-rated seller badge is great, but it's not the only way to determine a seller's integrity.
eBay's Security Center has everything you need to know about shopping on eBay. Learn the basics of buying safely, such as what to look for before you bid or buy, the safest ways to pay for your purchases, and how to avoid common buying mistakes that increase the risk of a bad buying experience. If you haven't used eBay before, be sure to visit the Security Center BEFORE you bid on any auctions or make any purchases.