I have never figured out why sellers are inherently more trustworthy than buyers. Maybe with an established store or commercial web site. But we're talking about unknown people selling to unknown people on eBay here. The buyer is always expected to send money on a prayer to some PO Box in Timbuctu.

The eBay process favors the seller, and I am guilty taking advantage of that with people I don't know, by waiting until I get the money before I ship the goods. I NEVER "wait for the check to clear," and I ship right away to anyone I have dealt with before.

Sellers who treat me like a second class citizen because they're the (god) seller and I'm the (heathen) buyer may never know why I don't buy from them again. I particularly hate being made to wait for my check to clear by some snot nosed nobody selling on eBay. If in the process they gouge me on shipping and mail an inferior chip in inadequate packaging...