When youve decided to enter the fast-paced, exciting world of online auctions, what should you expect from your auction services? How does it all work, exactly?

All auction services online will require you to register with a username and password, first of all. If you intend to sell a lot (rather than buy), you should choose a name that reflects what sort of merchandise you deal in. Or, if you have a wide variety of things to sell, choose something that inspires confidence. Avoid cutesy names, or names that suggest cartoons, pop stars or other things not usually associated with professionals.

Auctions services usually require credit card information, too, to confirm your identity. Since bidders and sellers arent meeting face-to-face, the Internet auction site has to do what it can to ensure everyone is on the up-and-up.

Once youve registered, you can buy and sell according to the auction sites rules. The sites job is to provide a place for bidders and sellers to meet, a sort of online open market. As long as you follow the general rules, the auction site itself stays out of the transactions.

Most sellers prefer payment by Paypal, an online money-transferring system. Its less risky than a personal check, and is instantaneous, unlike waiting for a money order. If you plan to do much transacting through online auctions, you should set up a Paypal account first.

As a buyer, you should expect sellers to ship your merchandise promptly and in appropriate packaging (padded, if necessary). You should also expect the merchandise to be in the condition it was promised to you. If anything is amiss, you should not hesitate to contact the seller. With so many Web sites and so many people selling merchandise, a buyer has a right to expect quality.