The Ebay experience is not all bad. I have had the pleasure of dealing with a company called clearancecatering which is a subsiduary of Nisbets Catering Equipment (from whom I have also purchased items from with no problems).

The story..... I purchased an item from clearancecatering in August 2005.  The item, a water boiler, developed a problem last week. Unable to locate the paperwork or look at the transaction on ebay due to the time elapsed since purchase, I decided to send clearancecatering an email to enquire whether the item had any warranty.  I received a reply the next day asking for more details about the transaction. I sent them the details requested and once again received a reply the next day!  To my suprise and delight clearancecatering are sending out a replacement. 

So, in my experience and opinion clearancecatering are tried, tested and trustworthy with superb communication skills.

What more could a buyer ask for !!!!!!!!

Oh, nearly forgot, they do not rip you off on postage fees either.