How do you want to pay for that, ma'am?

If you have not read this before, please take note: avoid bidding on an item that requires you to pay by cash. This is a sure sign that you will be defrauded by the seller.

Look at the seller's terms of payment. Does the seller require a money order or certified or cashier's cheque. If the item you are buying is inexpensive, be aware that paying by certified or cashier's cheque requires a bank charge that might make buying the item not worth it.

On big ticket items, pay by credit card if you can. In the event that the seller fails to ship the item to you after you have paid, you can at least dispute the charge with your credit card issuer. You can also take advantage of an escrow service that will hold your payment until you have accepted the item. Any seller who will not allow you to use an escrow service is a seller worth staying away from.

What is the seller's return policy. If all sales are final, then you might want to stay away. If there is a problem with the item that you won, you will not be able to return the item. As a buyer, you are relying on an online photo and the seller's description, which might result in your getting an item that is less than what you expected.

Stay away from sellers who require that you pay within a strict short fixed period. You can't control the post office and it is not worth the stress of praying that your payment reaches the seller in time. The seller's attitude toward his payment policies is a reflection of the seller himself. Do you want to deal with such a person if a problem arises?