Buyer protections range from “none” to “some” at various online auction sites. For example, eBay's Standard Purchase Protection Program “reimburses buyers for eligible transactions when an item was purchased on eBay and either not received or was received but significantly not as described.” Depending on how much you paid for the disputed item, reimbursement can range from $1 up to $175 (after the program's $25 processing fee is deducted).

Yahoo! Auctions' plan offers a similar reimbursement range:

• Only winning bidders are protected.

• Sellers are not covered if they have a negative rating at the time of the auction close.

• The program does not cover a payment if any part of it is sent by wire transfer or to a post office box or to any international location.

• The maximum protection is $200 per auction, minus a $25 processing fee.

Both eBay and PayPal generate excellent records of transactions and payments. But on any auction site, you should make copies of everything pertaining to your transactions. Yahoo! urges auction participants to “keep all email, notes, shipping documents, and payment information. Be sure to print a copy of the auction. This is your responsibility. Yahoo! does not provide user information or copies of old listings.”

Amazon.com Auctions offer the “A-to-Z Guarantee” protection program for auction participants. It reimburses up to $2,500 and shipping charges for payments made through the Amazon Payments feature. A buyer is covered under this guarantee (1) when the buyer pays but the seller fails to deliver the item and (2) when the buyer receives the item but it is “materially different” than was depicted in the seller's description. These conditions qualify as “materially different”:

• Wrong version or edition

• Item condition or details not as described

• Wrong item

• Missing parts or components

• Defective item

• Damaged item

In general, online auction protection programs for buyers cannot be invoked until certain other conditions and restrictions have been met, such as time periods and other attempts at dispute resolution.