Hi Mandy and Kathleen and all,
I do buy on ebay--but mostly "buy it now" usually because I may want more than one, if it is a strand of pearls, especially. Sometimes I will do an auction if it is something unusual and I am buying other items from that seller. We know from the other posts on this forum that feedback is only one factor to consider. The quality of the photos when buying pearls is a huge factor, and if the photo is actually the strand or pearl that actually is being sold!!! We all probably would love a great ebay bargain. Because there is potentially a lot of profit in pearls, especially for that guy in China, it leaves a lot of room for fraud with little protection for the buyer.
I guess my point is like Kathleens, that there is a lot of subjectivity in evaluating ebay sellers, and the quality and value of each offering is up to us to decide, especially when it comes to pearls. There have been several sites mentioned previously, Pearl Emporium, which has a range of lower cost pearls, but not rounds. I personally think DruzyDesign has great photos and the site is an education in itself, because of the variety of gemstones and pearls she offers. I don't personally think anyone has found any ebay site so wonderful it's overflowing with fab bargains that they are keeping it top secret!!!
Pattye