You can buy just about anything on eBay at the click of a mouse. Just don't let yourself get addicted, says BEN SUTTON.

IT is nine years since internet auction site eBay Inc was launched.

While many of its dotcom peers gently slipped back into the oblivion from which they first emerged, the appeal of this online auction house seems to be in no danger of fading.

With millions of items on offer every day (ranging from antiques, toys and books to computers, sports, photography and electronics) and a global customer base of 95 million people, it is not difficult to see where the website's attraction lies.

Over the last two years, I have spent many hours trawling through the site's extensive listings, looking for everything ranging from CDs to books, instruments to posters.

However, I would hazard a guess that I have spent many more hours trawling the site looking for nothing.

The genius element of eBay is that you can always find something that you didn't know you needed.

A singer at a gig I went to recently best described the situation with the words: "Something's always missing if you look hard enough." This could almost be the eBay motto.

It's not only itchy-fingered young internet addicts who are hooked, either.

My most surprising discovery to date is that my father is addicted to the site too. About to enrol at eBay Anonymous for an intensive "detox" program, I arrived home a few nights ago to hear his cries of: "Come and look what I've found - a wind-up mobile phone charger!" Great.

For those who are not used to doing their shopping online, however, it can all seem a little daunting.

So here is a three-step guide to eBay that should help you to get the most out of your online auction experience.

STEP ONE: Searching

First, log on to the site. It couldn't be simpler - just go to www.ebay.co.uk/ and you're away.

Before buying, it pays to do your research. The more you know about the product before you buy it, the less likely you are to be disappointed. Cross-reference prices and bids on similar items to see how well they sell, how much interest they attract and how much you should be willing to pay.

It is normal to assume that the item you have your heart set on is the only one that will ever appear on eBay. This is rarely the case, so don't feel pressured into buying in case it's "the last one ever".

The "Buy It Now" feature is a common sight on eBay listings, offering the opportunity to bypass the auction and purchase the item straight away, usually for a slightly higher price. If you are happy with the Buy It Now price, go for it. If not, enter into the bidding, but bear in mind, winning is not guaranteed!

STEP TWO: Place a bid

Check the length of time left on the auction; most items are on a seven-day listing. Placing a bid on day one of the auction means that you will have to sit twiddling your mouse for a whopping 168 hours before the auction is completed.

A better practice is to join the auction in the last few hours. The final minutes are the ones to concentrate on, since everybody is fighting to make theirs the final bid of the auction.

Most importantly, stay within your price limit.

STEP THREE: Paying

The Paypal online payment system is a popular and fast method, although the options of paying by personal cheque or money transfer also exist.

Another alternative is to arrange collection of the item yourself; particularly worth consideration when bidding on heavy or large items which are often expensive to post.

Once you have made your payment, sit back and wait for your purchase to arrive.

But how can you guarantee that you will ever see the item you've paid for?

eBay has many security measures in operation to give you the best representation of both the item you're bidding for and the individual from whom you are buying it.

This is not to say that problems do not occur, though eBay is quick to state that any such happenings are few and far between.

A friend recently won an item and promptly sent a cheque for it. The seller banked the cheque but didn't send the item, leaving my friend out of pocket and out of item.

Luckily, thanks to eBay's Standard Purchase Protection Plan which offers up to £120 coverage, my friend will be able to reclaim the full amount of his original payment, minus a processing cost of £15.

I spoke to a representative called Mat using the online "Live Help" feature, who advised that "prior to bidding on an item you'll want to carefully review the item description and ask the seller if you have any concerns or questions.

"In most cases, if you bid carefully only after reviewing the item specifics, payment methods accepted and seller's feedback, you can then bid with confidence."

So perhaps it's time to dip a toe in the world of the online auction.

Updated: 08:55 Thursday, May 06, 2004