It's pretty simple really; if you're going to play the eBay game you'd better learn to play by the rules. But that goes for any purchase; read the fine print before you buy! As for the zero rating - every eBay seller starts with zero, that's no reason to avoid bidding. And sellers often start a $1000 item with a $1 bid, knowing that knowledgeable bidders will understand the starting bid isn't where the final bidding will end.
eBay has very strong buyer protections built into their buying/selling agreements. I've made some pretty good buys over the years and one or two stinkers. I've also ended up selling stuff for a lot less than I thought it was worth, but that's part of the eBay game too. All I can say is that if you don't read the fine print you're going to get burned.
I don't understand some of the cynicism shown here. Are you guys trying to hold bidding down so you can slip in at the last second with cheap winning bids? Or are you so paternalistic that you're trying to be the shield that protects everyone?
