eBay is the world's largest online auction web site and if you are new to online shopping and/or eBay, this page will give you a few valuable, time-tested tips to keep you (and your bank account) safe while experiencing the excitement and fun of online shopping. 

Since eBay is a members-only site, to do business on eBay you must register and sign up as a member of the eBay community.  This is free and merely involves giving eBay some basic information.

Be reassured that eBay is extremely security conscious and their web site has built in various safeguards to protect you and your personal information.

Once you have become a member of eBay, you should then open a PayPal account and use that account for all your eBay transactions.  The best way to fund your PayPal account is to use a credit card, since you will then be doubly protected in the rare instance where a transaction goes bad, for whatever reason.

Both PayPal and the bank that issues your credit card have separate means to resolve online transaction problems, and we strongly recommend that you open your PayPal account with credit card funding.

Here are a few more suggestions to enhance your eBay experience:

• Be sure to read the auction Item Description VERY carefully.  Many buyer/seller disputes can be avoided if the buyer reads and understands the entire Item Description;
• If there are any specific Terms of Sale (TOS) listed in the auction Item Description, make sure to read, understand, and agree with them BEFORE BIDDING;
• Check out the eBay auction seller carefully before agreeing to do business with him/her. This can be done easily by clicking on the "Meet the Seller" link at the top right side of every auction listing;
• Every eBay member generates a Feedback Rating whenever he/she completes a transaction on eBay.  Be sure to check out the seller's reputation and make sure that you will be comfortable dealing with this particular seller;
• Before placing your bid, be sure to read, understand, and agree with the seller's (1) Return Policy, (2) Shipping and Handling charges, and (3) Payment Details, all of which are always clearly spelled out near the bottom of the auction Item Description.

I hope that this page has given you some insight into eBay, and how you can safely benefit from doing your online shopping on eBay, the world's largest online auction marketplace.