Get to know your seller before you buy an item. Here are some simple precautions to help your purchase go smoothly.

You can learn about sellers by:

• Reviewing the seller’s feedback and member profile

• Asking the seller questions

• Reviewing the sellers policies on shipping, payments and returns

• Viewing the seller’s other items

Review feedback and user information in the member profile.

Check a seller's feedback before you make a bid. If a seller has no feedback or negative feedback, contact the seller before bidding. You can view other listings offered by the seller by clicking the “View Seller’s Other Items” link.

The following are icons that you will see associated with a particular seller.

Ask the seller questions

• Email the seller with questions by clicking the “Ask seller a question” link.

• If you have won an item, you can request the seller’s contact information.

Review the seller’s policies

• Postage and packaging – Review P&P charges before you bid, and request tracked and insured postage (this may cost more).

• Payment – Consider paying with PayPal or with a credit card. Many credit cards offer 100% consumer protection, but check the details with your provider. Be wary of sellers who only accept one form of payment, especially when the seller exclusively requests banker's drafts, wire transfers, instant cash wire transfers (through Western Union or MoneyGram), or cash. Never pay with cash or wire transfers. Find out why, plus more about sending payment.

• Returns – Examine the seller's return policy carefully before you bid. Contact the seller before you bid with any questions about the return policy. Some questions you might want to ask include:
  
  Does the seller accept returns, or is the item sold "as is"?
  Under what circumstances can you return the item?
  Do you have to return the item to the seller within a certain time period?
  What kind of refund does the seller provide?
  Who pays for return postage and packaging?
  Does the seller charge a restocking fee?

View the seller’s other items

You can learn about sellers by viewing their other active listings. Does the seller offer a wide variety of items, or specialise in one specific type of collectable? To find other items the seller offers, click the "view seller's other items" link on any item listing page. If the seller has an eBay Shop, you can go to that store by clicking the Visit this seller's eBay Shop link located on any of the seller’s item page.