Local eBay Deals Mapper

Just because it’s local and on eBay doesn’t automatically mean it’s a bargain - always benchmark the price before buying. Use shopbots (shopping robots), which whizz through scores of internet retailers to find the cheapest price. The MSE team rate Google Shopping, PriceSpy and PriceRunner.

While untoward incidents are rare, there are simple precautions you can take to make sure every transaction is a safe one. First, if someone’s listing or email sounds dodgy, trust your gut and walk away.

Second, go with a friend, or failing that, tell someone exactly where you are going and arrange to contact them afterwards. Take a mobile phone, and stay on the doorstep if possible.

eBay sellers have a feedback score that acts as a useful guide to whether they've dealt fairly in the past - especially important if you're meeting someone in person. As a rule, look for seller's with over 98% positive feedback and a feedback score of at least 30.

Think twice before purchasing expensive items from a seller with no feedback and remember that feedback is useful but not infallible - one thing to watch for is sellers that have flogged a few tiny things for 10p each to build up their feedback.

The power-puncher of 'local' classified sites is Gumtree, which covers the whole of the UK. It sells everything from bikes to beds and, unlike eBay, it doesn't charge listing fees, so sellers may be willing to part with items for slightly less.

Another popular classified site, Preloved*, allows you to prioritise local adverts when you search.