When it comes to selling on eBay or any other internet auction website, it is important that every seller know how to protect their interests. In an effort to help you with that goal, we have compiled a list of 7 tips to protecting yourself as an eBay seller.

- If you accept personal checks, ask your bank how long it will take for checks to clear. Some will recommend holding checks for 10-21 days in order to make sure that the funds have cleared prior to shipping an item. Because some buyers become anxious if their items aren’t received within one week, be sure to note your check holding policy in your auction description.

- If you accept money orders, be mindful of scams that have surfaced in recent years. These involve a buyer purchasing an item and then sending a money order for a very large amount, which greatly exceeds the actual purchase price. The buyer then contacts the seller and claims to have made a mistake in the amount sent. They go on to ask the seller to cash the money order and send the excess cash back with their purchase. The problem is that these money orders often turn out to be nothing more than a scam and sellers find themselves in financial despair if they comply with the buyer’s fraudulent request. In short, never accept a money order that exceeds the actual purchase price plus shipping & handling.

- When it comes to shipping items, always be sure to purchase a tracking number. Domestic tracking numbers are readily available at any post office, while global priority mail is often the most economical way to get a tracking number for international shipments. If the item is lost in the mail, this tracking number will serve as your only proof of mailing.

- If you need to purchase insurance on a package, you can get a tracking number and $100.00 worth of insurance at no additional charge by shipping with UPS. Shipping insurance is also available through the post office in the UK, federal express and other shippers, but there will likely be an additional cost.

- If you accept PayPal as a form of payment, which most auction sellers do, make sure that the buyer provides a confirmed address with their PayPal payment. This will enable sellers to seek coverage under PayPal’s Seller Protection in the event that the item is lost through delivery. In order to receive coverage, however, you will need a tracking number as discussed above.

- When preparing your packages for shipment, make sure that they are labeled properly. If an item is fragile, make sure that it is clearly noted on the outside of the package and written in red ink. If your package contains an item that is liquid or perishable, be sure to note this on the packaging or inform the shipping company of the contents.

- Make sure that you package items according to their fragility. Some shipments may be suitable for a gift box and bubble mailer, such as jewelry. Other items, such as glassware and other breakables, require more careful packaging and will need to be sent in a box rather than an envelope. Always be sure to note anything that is breakable as being fragile to the shipping company.