I’ll try to be brief. Most of this is so obvious, I think. Each situation brings up its own unique wrinkles, situations, questions and answers.

A big factor is the value of the item in question. It is not worth taking separate scans for each $3 chip. And you don’t need a deposition for each $3 chip. ............ I certainly think it is called for to question the dealer about high-priced items.

Even scans of the very item at auction can be misleading. It is a relatively small matter, but I am now selling a small catalin rack that is getting nice bids. I am also getting a little worried that through no devious designs of my own, the scan --through good lighting and touch ups with Adobe PhotoDeluxe-- makes the item look better than in real life! I hope I don’t get a disappointed customer. I have often worried about this, but no problems so far. Sometimes the scans make the item look worse than in real life. It is difficult for me to control this at times. Often I do make comments in the description about optical illusions, etc. Often I offer money back guarantees.

A big issue is the time involved in thorough questioning of every dealer versus the price versus the law of averages. Most dealers are honest and professional. In the few cases where misrepresentations were made (on purpose or not), the dealer will take the item back. In the few cases where the dealer gives you a hard time, you can try threatening him with negative feedback or arrange to pay the eBay fees-postage to take it back. So, unless it is high-priced, I wouldn't get paranoid about this.

Robert