Feedback is one of the most treasured possessions of any eBayer, and it is vital to them, especially if they are a seller.

Recently, I have discovered that feedbacks can be raised quickly, and high feedbacks will mean more business. Some eBayers raise feedbacks in 2 ways:

1) They buy lots of 1p or 1 cent ebooks on eBay, from different sellers, and this provides them with a quick way of boosting their feedback score and gaining a good reputation. However, a good seller would never do this, as most buyers check the seller's feedback page before buying.

2) The most popular way, I think, is to sell ebooks yourself on eBay. Some sellers just sell 1p ebooks in order to get more feedback. And, this can mean they become a powerseller soon enough. Not good.

These ways can mean that eBay is not used as it was intended to in the first place, and some people just use these tricks to fake good feedbacks and reputations. But don't let them get away with it!

Here are a few things you should make sure before purchasing an item on eBay:

1. Check the seller's feedback page, and check that most feedback is from buyers, not sellers.

2. Check the items that the seller has sold in his / her feedback page. Click on the item no. on the right-hand side and check to see if he / she has been just selling ebooks all the time.

3. Finally, if the item no. is hidden or private, then check the seller's items for sale. If he is offering a lot of 1p ebooks for sale, then his reputation may have been faked, especially if he is getting a lot of feedback like "Good ebook" or "Great bargain info". Also, if two sellers are offering the same item, at a similar price, then go for the one with less private / hidden items, or the one whose feedback was achieved from selling tangible goods.

So, feedback reputations on eBay can be easily be exaggerated. But don't let this guide put you off trading on the UK's online marketplace. Most of all, be wary before you make a purchase, and don't buy something for which you think the price is too good to be true.

Thank you for taking the time to read this guide from pkgreen2006.