I have been on both sides of this scenario.
I am currently a a Top Seller in my niche. I occasionally buy things.
I have been on and off with ebay for almost 10 years both buying and selling. 100% feedback rating.
Ebay of 2004-2005 is not anywhere close to what it is today. Way cheaper to sell things and less fees.
As a seller, I am hugely dissappointed with the fees that incur. As a top rated seller now though, I can list items from of charge and my fees rate goes down. I am also not a fan of having to monthly rent a store to decrease my fees or even put my auctions on hold when I go on vacation.
As for the Non Paying Bidder, I have only incountered that 1 in the last year since I brought my business to eBay. I have a guy who continually wins an auction for .01 and never pays. I havent a clue why?
As for everything else, I have it listed as BIN w/ Immediate payment. Even when I accept best offers, I have never had someone not pay.
Fortunately for my niche, I havent had any issues with buyers with the exception of one recent customer.
Purchased a chipped ecu from me and then changed whole order. I accommodated with no extra charge only to have him bitch and complain about my product up its arrival to him. All of our ecu's are tested in house prior to leaving. This asshole decided to send it back without ebay approving of it. Then open a complaint and talked pure shit to me.
I held my composure and replied in a normal manner. Offered to accept the return and refund minus shipping. That wasnt good enough for him so I told him he could escalate it and I would take my chances.
eBay sided with me.
Aside from that, 100% feedback, Power Seller, and fortunately havent incurred any issues and even sell worldwide.
I personally wish there was another outlet to sell on with the traffic, but I have sucked it up and got it through my head that this is what I have to deal with for now.
Been highly thinking about moving some of the business to Amazon as I feel they will be moving up in the ranks.