Hmmm, interesting comments in this thread. I've been using eBay for years now both as a buyer and as a seller and if you take sensible precautions there should be no problems buying, even from suspect sellers. The most obvious one is to use a credit card to pay for your items and you're immediately covered by the credit card company's protection and anti-fraud programmes. As a seller I NEVER send goods until payment is received, and if it's by personal cheque it has to clear before despatch.
I have only ever had one problem, a lost sale (which could be the same as the telescope experience in here). A 'fake' buyer bid on one of my items and won, but they didn't exist. Ever since then I automatically cancel all bids from buyers with zero ratings unless they email me first. Anyway, the second highest bidder got a 'second chance' offer from me and they bought the item after I explained what had happened.
eBay is just like any other auction really, except in live auctions the bidding stops when there are no more bids rather than at a predetermined time. Reserves aren't disclosed in live auctions, either, but if you're a high bidder at a live auction you may still be offered a deal with the seller if the reserve isn't reached (quite legal). As for last second bidding - get broadband. I have placed bids in the last 5 to 10 seconds of an auction and won. In fact I usually place my final bid in the last 15 seconds if needed. I keep two windows open - one to watch the bidding, being continuously refreshed, and one with my bid ready to go. Has worked every time so far.
I also sell books on Amazon..........
