I haven't used eBay in a while, but I bought a lot of things---even internationally---without ever being ripped off. The feedback system isn't perfect, but it's better than it used to be before it was transaction related only.

Also, it depends on what you're buying. Some categories are more attractive to fraudsters than others, although that doesn't mean that one can't have problems in any category of goods. Although I know some people buy software and computer hardware via eBay for example, I'd be kinda wary myself. You gotta do your homework, checking feedback and the products. Compare products available there with what's available in stores. Check out eBay's discussion boards to see what issues may be of interest or what sellers are participating and what their conduct and rep seem to be. There are several category related boards as I recall so you could look at them if there's a certain category of goods you are particularly interested in.

But it's still let the buyer beware (like elsewhere really) and the rule still is, if it's too good to be true you may want to think twice about it. For example I recently read that some outfit was selling great anti-spyware software on eBay for $20 that is basically "stolen" freeware---Spybot Search and Detroy---with just a change of name slapped on. Pretty cool, huh? Selling something that anyone who knew better could get for free?

But there are also some quite good and professional individuals (and businesses) also doing business there, so I wouldn't scare anyone away from it. I'm mostly into I guess what people would call "collectibles" (aka junk, lol) so I've gotten some great deals and things I'd have trouble finding elsewhere. So while my experience has been quite positive, your mileage may vary, as they say.



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Also if you get broken merchandise from Ebay, be patient with the seller and give the seller a chance to correct the problem before leaving negative feedback. I have recently purchased a laptop that turned out to be broken. I am in the process of making an exchange with the seller. If I do not recieve a replacement or the replacement turns out to be broken too, then I will leave negative feedback. I will only be patient up to a certain extent. I notice that some people that leave negative feedback are not as patient with the seller and just leave negative feedback before giving the seller a chance to correct the problem.

I have been using eBay litterally since it first came online. My rating is over 100, I've done about 130 transactions and I've only had two bad experiences neither of them being catastrophic.

Two months is too long to wait for something to be delivered. I hope you left negative feedback.

once a while ebay user all my experences were good ones.

I bought this PC on ebay AMD 2600+ XP processer, with case mem and on. for 315 euro's got here with the cooling fan off, because the company delivering it was crap. I'm waiting for a responce from the seller.
Nothing mutch, and it works fine. bought a modem / router no probs.

But there are always black sheep there, I bought a cellphone got the papers filled them out.
Got the cards for the cell phone, but never got the phone because the company is broke.

So u see there are good and bad things there.

I have also been an occasional eBay user for a couple of years now, both buying and selling. As everyone says, check out the feedback, and give the sellers enough time, if it turns out that there is a problem with something that you purchase.