As a long time eBayer, I've come up with some helpful tips on making your buying experience on eBay a pleasant one.
If anyone else has more tips, please add them to this thread to help buyers.

1. Read a sellers feedback before bidding. This is the single most important piece of information you will find - if you see multiple neutrals or negatives for quality, delivery or communication issues - you can generally believe the information. Don't bid if a seller has poor feedback.
2. IF IT SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - it usually IS!
3. Ask questions of a seller before bidding. If there is something in the listing you don't understand, not mentioned or is not clear - e mail the seller using the "Ask the Seller A Question" link in the auction before you place a bid.
4. If shipping price or method is not listed - e mail the seller your zip code and ask the price before bidding. Don't open yourself up for a shock after you win. Some sellers start bids at very low bid prices and have high shipping to offset it. If you can't find the shipping price - ask BEFORE you bid.
5. Your bid is a binding agreement - please don't bid if you don't intend to pay.
6. Make sure your ISP does not block E Bay e-mails and your e mail address is up to date. Some ISP's have SPAM features that block E Bay messages. If yours does, you may not receive any end of auction notices from your seller.
7. If you don't hear from your seller within 3 days, e-mail them.
8. Read the full auction before bidding. You cannot change the terms of an auction after you win. Make sure you fully agree with all of the terms (method of payment, time frame for payment to be received) in the listing before placing your bid.
9. Carefully read the payment options the seller accepts. Be very wary if a seller accepts payment via wire transfer only - many fraudulent sellers will not accept any other method of payment, as they cannot be rescinded or charged back later. Paying with a credit card is the safest way to pay, as you have some recourse if the item is not received.
10. Please check the category of the item you are bidding on to ensure you are bidding correctly.
11. If you are buying clothing and measurements are not included with the size, e mail the seller and get the measurements before you bid. All manufacturers do not cut clothing the same way.
12. Read the E Bay discussion boards for help with a problem that may arise. There are chat boards for virtually any topic you can think of - you can obtain great advice availing yourself to this free service. Other E Bayers are the best helpers in a problem situation.
13. If the item is not as described, please contact your seller BEFORE leaving feedback. Most sellers want to please their customers, especially if they have good feedback. Allow the seller a chance to correct a problem before leaving feedback.
14. If you never receive your item, e-mail your seller. If you get no response, pull their contact info and call them. If their contact info phone number or e-mail address is invalid, file an invalid contact report with eBay. You also have the availability of filing an Item Not Received dispute. This can be filed 10 days after you have paid, but you should make every attempt to contact your seller and allowing them to rectify the issue before you file.

I hope these suggestions make your E Bay buying experience a HAPPY one!

A good friend will come and post bail for you in jail - a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "Darn that was fun!"