At eBay, you are only as good as your feedback says you are. If you're selling, here's how to get a good reputation:

• Establish contact with the buyer (pronto!) after the auction ends.
• After you've received payment, send out the item quickly.
• Make sure that your item is exactly the way you described it.
• Package the item well and ship it with care.
• React quickly and appropriately to problems -- for example, the item's lost or damaged in the mail or the buyer is slow in paying.

If you're buying, try these good-rep tips:

• Send your payment fast.
• Keep in touch via e-mail with the seller.
• Work with the seller to resolve any problems in a courteous manner.

If you're selling, here's what to do to tarnish your name big time:

• Tell a major fib in the item description.
• Take the money but "forget" to ship the item.
• Package the item poorly so that it ends up smashed, squashed, or vaporized during shipping.

If you're buying, here's how to make your status a serious mess:

• Bid on an item, win the auction, and never respond to the seller.
• Send a personal check that bounces and never make good on the payment.
• Ask the seller for a refund because you just don't like the item.