FOR BUYERS; Use PayPal Buyer protection when purchasing your items... PayPal is owned by eBay, and is the preferred method of secure payment for eBay transactions.   Research the Seller... eBay provides a "Member Feedback" system for other members to see the long-term reliability of a Seller or Buyer.   Contact the Seller... get the Sellers phone and business contact info... conduct further research on the Seller.   Video tape the delivery and inspection of your purchase upon arrival (infront of the delivery/courier company)... if there is a future dispute, video tape will go along way in proving your claim.