I have been following the discussion regarding eBay and dealing
with fraudulent sales, etc.  Has anyone had any positive or negative
experience using their escrow service?

Under eBay services, there is a listing for "Safe Harbor" which
lists many services including escrow, fraud protection program,
investigations, Authentication Services, Dispute resolution, etc.

Maybe some of the services listed are just so much window dressing,
as Colin MacKinnon reported that eBay seemed less than interested in
helping the guy being ripped off by the Canadian military disposal
outfit (021031 MMDigest).

The eBay escrow service sounds good, but do they really follow through?

Tom Lear
San Francisco, Ca.

From eBay site:

 - - -

Escrow
True assurance for buying valuable items

When you are buying a higher-priced item or would simply like the
chance to inspect the item before final payment, consider using escrow.
Escrow is a powerful tool that protects you, the buyer, from buying an
unsatisfactory item and from failing to receive an item you've paid
for.

Here's how it works: An escrow service will hold your payment until
you've received, inspected and approved the item. Only then does the
escrow service pay the seller.

Escrow is available for any purchase, but it's recommended for
purchases of $500 or more.

Important facts about escrow: The buyer and seller must agree to use
escrow before the end of the auction or, with Buy It Now, before the
purchase takes place.  Look at the item listing to see the seller's
policy about escrow. If it's not clear, ask the seller a question.
There are fees to use escrow. Buyers and sellers should agree who will
pay those fees.

Investigations:  Understand and report trading offenses in the areas
of feedback, buying, selling, etc.

Dispute Resolution:  An independent service that provides a neutral
place to work out disputes online efficiently and effectively.

eBay Payments:  Offers buyers full purchase protection for both credit
card and electronic check payments. Sellers are also protected from
chargebacks resulting from fraudulent transactions.