Auctiva Emporium: ken-hotlanta

1. Use eBay "Search" to look for the item you are interested in buying,and then comparison shop for price, condition, features, shipping charges, and, most importantly, their return policy. If they don't accept any returns, buyer beware...if the item is received damaged or not as advertised, you are stuck with it. 2. The most important thing to look at is the seller's Feedback, I cannot stress this fact enough. Feedback is a numerical score of how that seller conducts their business and treats their customers. 100% is the top score and the standard every seller strives for...any score below 98% is considered Poor (among seasoned sellers) and should raise red flags. Read the comments that buyers have written about the seller you are looking at. If their score is below 100%, I usually just click on the "Negative" comments, paying attention to why the buyer left a negative vote and, just as important, the seller's response...that will give you a good picture of who you are dealing with. Some high volume sellers don't care about their feedback score and aren't too concerned when a customer is not happy...these sellers are usually "too busy" to be concerned about your complaint. That's why it is always best to buy from someone with a 100% score, that means they care about their customers and will go the extra mile to make sure you as a buyer are happy with your purchase. On the other hand, if a high volume seller honestly deals with negative comments and appears to try to resolve the problems, they are usually trustworthy and worth buying from. 3. Sometimes price is not the most important factor in your decisions...look at the seller's Feedback, Return Policy, and Shipping options, too. 4. Amazon has a Feedback system in place, too, but customers don't leave feedback as readily as they do on eBay. For online retailers like Walmart, Overstock.com, Target, etc. pay close attention to their terms and Return Policy. 5. Craig's List: You can get great deals here and find items nearby or not readily available on eBay or Amazon. The most important thing is to get some idea of who you are dealing with if possible. Do they sell regularly, are they knowledgeable of what they are selling, and can they answer your questions. Most important: If you agree to buy the item, ALWAYS insist on meeting in a public place such as a parking lot for a popular store, a busy park, or a heavily populated area. If you use a store parking lot, park as close to the front as you can, or take someone with you or surround yourself with other people. Do NOT meet at their house, Storage Room, or some deserted road or area. Don't carry any more cash than the price of the item you are buying, and lock your wallet or purse in the trunk or glove compartment. These rules also apply if you are selling something to someone else. Follow the Boy Scout motto: Always Be Prepared.