DO - be aware that auction sales are person to person transactions - there is little or no consumer protection.

DO - read eBay's safe harbour rules and understand its limitations.

DO - remember that it's YOUR judgment whether the seller is trustworthy.

DON'T - assume that your credit card company or bank will cover any losses.

DO - be aware that there are a few spivs who use false IDs to con people.

DO - check the seller's feedback rating. A solid record of satisfied customers is good. A first-time seller with no feedback is much more risky. Negs are a clear warning sign!

DO - compare the location in the seller's feedback page with the location in the item description; sometimes sellers claim to be in the UK when they're not.

DON'T - be taken for a mug! Would you wire money to a stranger in Czechoslovakia, with no feedback, for an amazingly cheap high end plasma TV? People do!

DO - be cautious when a seller will only accept cash or wire transfer. This can be a sign of someone who doesn't want to be traced.

DO - Question sellers who are claiming items are in Mint / Excellent / Good condition to verify that your understanding of the term matches theirs.

DON'T - Send payment for your winnings without including a note saying what it is you are paying for.

DO - read the item description carefully and ask any questions BEFORE bidding.

DON'T - fall for misleading descriptions. "Wizzo Digital camera box" could just be the box! It has happened!

DO - ask sellers about postage and packing costs BEFORE bidding.

DON'T - assume that a high price being charged for postage and packing means your winnings are going to arrive the next day by recorded delivery, if the price seems high ask how your winnings are going to be delivered.

DO - remember that buying at auction is always going to involve some risk. You can't see the item before bidding and there's very little comeback if you're disappointed, unless the item is wrongly described. There's also a risk of loss or damage in the post - and getting compensation can be problematical, especially for items posted abroad.

DO - Keep all E-mails you send and receive until after you receive the goods.

DON'T - bid on half a dozen auctions of the same items because you might win them all.

DO - be aware that if you are not the winner in an Auction there is a Second Chance Offer process which allows the seller to offer the item to you at your offer price, you are under no obligation to accept but if you do you are covered by eBay's fraud protection cover, the initial e-mail making the offer will be from eBay. If you are contacted by the seller in any other way it is unlikely you will be covered.

DO - take these risks into account in the amount you bid, and don't bid at all unless you accept them.

DON'T - Pay by cheque if you want the goods quickly. The higher the value of the cheque and the lower your feedback the more likely it is that the seller will wait until it clears before posting your winnings.

DO - Recheck item very carefully if the only listed payment method is electronic (NoChex, PayPal, Electronic Fund Transfer, Payhound or Billpoint).

DON'T - be put off by the above! Buying on eBay is good fun; there are some real bargains and 99.9% of eBayers are good people to deal with!