Posted By:
hankronIn my experiece, the vast majority of eBay sellers are honest-- not perfect, but trying to do a good job. If the buyer learns to stay clear of the obvious trouble sellers, life is much easier .... If a deal sounds too good to be true, no returns, won't guarantee or even state authenticity, private auctions, very bad feedback, description doesn't produce confidence. The more experience a collector gains, the easier everything becomes.
I have links to favorite sellers and auction houses-- sellers who are knowledgeable, effecient and sell items I am interested in. These are the folks I will buy a more expensive item or item I'm not familiar with-- because they know their stuff. Beyond knowledge and experience, I beleive the essential quality for a seller is honesty and sincerity. If he says he doesn't know a fact it's because he doesn't know, and if he says he got the warmup jacket directly from Greg Maddux that's because he got the jacket from Greg Maddux. He's stating facts .... Someone once asked me why I called an item an original, and I said "Because it's an original" .... All authenticity is is accuretly describing an item. If you came to my home and I say, "That's my dog, Henry," that's authenticity.
With sellers I'm unfamiliar with, I look at the picture and the description and see if it's agreeable-- does she know what she is talking about, does she come across as honest or is a BSer. I hate BS. I check their feedback and see what else the sell. If I'm bidding on an inexpensive item, there are no heavy issues. Most sellers are honest and what's the worst that can happen, I lose the $10?
I email and ask the sellers questions-- not a lot, but if there is a pressing issue including if I want more details or assurances. Sometimes their evasive answers tell me not to bid, sometimes their answers convice me that I should raise my bid.
With experience, collectors will be able to make sounder judgements about the seller, the item for sale and value. This is why beginners should push off buying expensive items until later. Besides, price tag is no Holy Grail. Some of my all time favorite items cost me under $20. Don't let anyone tell you that a collectable isn't quality unless it has a minimal value.