NCL recently reported auctions resulted in the most complaints to its Internet Fraud Watch division every year since the category was added to the database in 1997. The Washington, D.C.-based consumers group reported 35 million people participate in online auction. Susan Grant, director of Internet Fraud Watch, blames consumers' overconfidence in the seller for the number of problems. Just because it looks good in a photo or description doesn't mean it's going to work, she said. Other problems buyers ran into include receiving items much later than expected, receiving items that were different than promised or never receiving the item at all.
Sellers report problems as well.
Be aware of the payment method. Most buyers pay by personal check, cashier's check or money order. If the buyer doesn't have the funds to back up the payment, they usually don't realize it until a check bounces, or another problem occurs, the NCL reported. I've found that if a problem occurs with a buyer, it's not because the buyer meant harm. It's more likely the buyer had a financial emergency or he or she shares an account with a spouse and made too many payments between the two.