I've been an ebay buyer and occasional seller for about 6 years and never had any of the problems in this thread. Had only one item obviously not posted, and that was a $35 second hand mobile phone. Maybe I've been lucky, or probably very carefull. Always check my sellers ratings before bidding, never buy from someone who is a recent subscriber, watch my buyers like a hawk during bidding (had a couple of scammers bidding on a recent sale, stuck out a mile they knew each other,blocked them.) Never send anything until the money is in my sweaty paw ( I'm a Scot, its in the genes

) I've had over 370 transactions during my time on ebay and must say its been a 99.5% positive experience.
(And no, I do not have large ears and my middle name is not Quark LOL)