Maybe like you, when I need to purchase items I always do a search online first. Normally using two of my favourite websites, eBay and Google to search for a suitable item and get some idea of the appropriate cost.

However, I've been making a mistake. An absolutely huge mistake. It will have cost me money over the years. Today, in a phone call with a friend I've only just realised it. It's like someone slapped me across the face.

I thought I was saving myself time & effort, but it seems like I've been actually throwing money away, wasting time and putting in more effort than was necessary.

It's not like I'm new to the internet, or even eBay or Google. I've written hundreds of articles on eBay, published three eBooks & complied an eBay mini course. Friends and family call me regularly and ask for assistance online, especially when dealing with eBay - even those who work within the computer trade & already market online.

I was only looking for relevant products. Trying to remove all the crap that is presented to you that is not relevant to me.

Anyway today, I've had a few problems with my car. It's actually in a few pieces at the moment as she's (yes, it's a she) having a new clutch fitted. However, while she's been taken apart it's also been discovered the turbo is leaking oil.

This morning I had a phone call from a friend. I've just been to see Graham, said Tom on the other end. Grahams the mechanic that normally works on my car. Your cars in quite a few pieces at the moment, hopefully he'll get the part delivered on Monday (for the clutch) but your turbos leaking oil as well.

I'm not a mechanically minded person. Maybe the turbo unit can be repaired or rebuilt, maybe it needs to be replaced completely.

However, to get an idea of the cost if it needs to be replaced I searched on eBay. After all, you can buy anything on eBay can't you? I found a few used ones on eBay priced at