While eBay may be heaven for eager buyers and sellers, it can also be trap for those who don't know any better. If you're not cautious enough, you could end up sending your hard-earned cash to somebody only to find out later that the item you ordered has a gazillion defects or, worse, will never, ever, reach your doorstep.

So to spare yourself the hassle, since most professional eBay scammers are hard to track down, here are some tips to protect yourself from the onset.

1) Ask for photos

Only buy goods that have clear, well-lighted images attached. This will give an assurance that the seller actually has the item with him and is not just making something up. Check the image posted on eBay against the photos on accredited web sites and catalogs. Who knows? You might even discover that getting it brand new from another, more trusted site, is cheaper.

If the Ebay seller cannot produce photos, the offer could be a hoax.

2) Check the eBay seller's background and reviews

You can always click on the seller's user history to know what he has sold and bought over eBay before and if he has participated in other auctions. Check the feedback other buyers and sellers wrote about him and ask questions from people who have already closed transactions with him. Also, look at his "Member Since" profile. Based on previous cases, those who have been eBay members for a long time but were not active and those who are new members are the ones most likely to commit fraud.

Find out if the seller's registered address is the same as the address he told you to send money to. If these do not match, the deal might be a scam. If a phone number is given, give the seller a call. But, to do this, you will first have to place a bid on the item. When in doubt, call.

3) Know what you're buying

Nothing beats educating yourself about the product you're buying. If the eBay seller claims the item is antique, have it checked out. If you have a friend who lives in the area where your seller is located, have your friend go over and have a look at the item. Or you can search for more information online. You might even be able to find a more reliable store that offers the same product as a lower price.

4) Investigate the seller's payment options

Wire transfers are a dubious trade. If the eBay seller accepts only that or money orders, you could be putting yourself up for a hoax. It would be better if he has credit card payment options, so you can easily call your bank to reverse the transaction when you find out you'd been duped.

5) Ask about the seller's return policy

If your seller is not willing to give you a refund or is not willing to acknowledge any responsibility for the item you bought after it was sent to you, start getting cautious. You see, if the seller declares a "hands-off" approach to post-selling issues, you will have a hard time pressing claims against him. And because eBay is a free market, you will not be able to demand too much help from the eBay administration either.

The Internet can contain both real-deal sellers and scammers. When you really think about it, the only way you can definitely be sure about the credibility of your seller is to ask a lot of questions and to be always vigilant. The tips above are not set in stone, so they are not always right for every occasion. It is really all up to you (and your instincts and research skills).