4. Is this your business or just a hobby?

How serious is the seller about providing good service and products? If the seller has a solid track record of sales and feedback, it will show. Even part time sellers can bring a sense of professionalism to this business. The ones to avoid are the ones that really don?t care because they were just cleaning out the closets anyway and can quit anytime.

5. Do you leave feedback first or will you wait until I do?

Lots of buyers call this ?taking feedback hostage? - or "I won?t leave feedback until you do". This has come about in part due to nonpaying buyers leaving retaliatory feedback for sellers who complained. Sellers who feel they?ve been unfairly beaten up before now won?t leave feedback until they?re sure that the buyer has left good feedback first. This results in an unhappy standoff. It is helpful to know where your seller stands on this issue.

In the end, it is up to you, the Buyer, to be knowledge not only about the goods but about just who it is that you?re dealing with. I don?t know about you, but I?m not sending my hard earned money off to a stranger without a little up front investigation.

After all ? Caveat Emptor

About the Author

madorman is a veteran of on-line auctioning who specializes in books, martial arts gear and business and industrial equipment.