Do not cry too much over a $20 lesson! My eBay mistake cost $134. I bid on, and "won," a Beseler 4x5 enlarger in very rough condition and located in Seattle, mostly because there were only two other bidders. (First clue and warning, but not perceived by me.) I was okay with the very rough condition because I knew I could fix it.

Price and shipping to Michigan was $134 total. I sent a USPS MO for that amount, and that was the last of it. I didn't know about looking a feedback, seller history, etc.--all of which was clearly evidence of a scammer. I also didn't know about eBay's 90-day dispute/appeal process until more than 90 days had passed! I also filed a complaint with the USPS re: fraud, but this amount was trivial, and the "seller" lied to USPS anyway....

eBay's revoking of "seller's" access was small comfort....

Signed,

Still bidding and buying, but older and wiser

"Experience is what you get fifteen minutes after you really needed it."--anon.