I also have purchased many things from eBay over the years. I had one bad incident. Bought a vintage Victorian House cookie jar. Came in pieces. Contacted the seller, heard nothing. Contacted eBay, seller then contacted me and returned my money. Bought a beautiful Singer "Lotus" treadle head. Arrived in perfect condition. You do need to know what your top $$ is. Set it and walk away. Most of the time, I don't watch the auction. I'm too cheap to spend that much $$ without a LOT of guarantees. My BIL worked for a Dodge dealership and sold cars off eBay. Sold one to someone in Alaska (he was in Toledo).