eBay's so-called "Buyer-protection" programme is a just a sham. I have been cheated at least four times and haven't recieved a single paisa in refund. On the last occasion (item# 1702683), the seller himself acknowledged reciept of payment through e-mail and then disappeared. I had paid through DD, sent to the seller directly by my bank. According to eBay, the seller's acknowledgement of receipt of payment is not acceptable as proof. This simply defies common sense! A number of other buyers have since left negative feedback for that seller, but eBay hasn't even suspended his account. I have been a member since 2006, but since the last year or so I have really been finding it tough to continue trading on eBay.