GETTING WHAT YOU PAID FOR

• Read the description carefully. If information is missing, ask the seller questions about it. No photos? Ask the seller to email you some. If the item is a camcorder, a laptop, or a video console — some of the items most prone to fraud — check with the manufacturer to find out if the seller is an authorized reseller of such goods.
• Shop around. Use comparison shopper sites to find out what these things cost in the real world. If a product typically retails for $1,000 and the seller is accepting winning bids of $100, it may be too good to be true.
• Check the return policy. Read the entire item description to see if the seller has a return/refund policy or if it says something like "all sales are final."
• Don't get faked out. Make sure the item you bought is really labeled authentic and not a "knock-off". It's illegal to sell stolen or counterfeit goods. You could also demand a refund from the seller, but don't expect much of a response.