The 'bay has always had its issues but I generally find it more good than bad.
I was selling a lot of stuff through there when I had the business and the folk I dealt with we're all pretty good,only one tosser with my compressor which I eventually sold on another forum.
We all know those that bid stuff up,in fact ive done it myself a few times in the past,it often gets done just to generate interest,obviously if it's a totally unrealistic price then that's that.
I've had the second chance bollox,even spam sellers when I was after an Astra gsi years back trying to sell me a 1.7d estate etc,that's just part of life unfortunately.
Tbh when I'm trying to fathom a price for something,I use eBay as a guide,usually as my first port of call,and make a descision from that.
I needed an RCA to iPod connection t'other day,could get them for £5 on the bay but I needed it there and then so it's £18 from maplin,otherwise I would have waited the 2 days.
I never buy iso connectors in a shop anymore,their £15 in halfords, £1.50 delivered on eBay.
Cars are different of course as what's one persons mint is another's shit,if your not sure go and look.
I've bought a few blind off the bay and they've actually always been good,I bought a ka about 18 months ago damaged literally for spares but it turned out better than the one I was gonna break it for, I made a bid,emailed the guy and told him that was all I'd go to,he had visions that it was worth double what I was offering yet to his credit I won it on my opening bid and he honoured it and the deal was done,which was nice.
It's usually these student type wankers who try the "just have a bid,I don't know what it's worth,I'm letting the auction run" yet if you bid say £100 on a £500 item they pull the sale and get all shirty about it saying they'll "never sell it at that price" oh,so you do have a price in mind?
Ok.
So yeah,good and bad but generally good IMO.