I'VE BEEN HAD! WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AUCTIONS

How do know if the seller is selling genuine items?
Sometimes you don't. I once bought from a seller who posted photos of real GBA games, then sent me a bunch bootleg junk. This seller had over 2000 positive feedbacks. His bootleg was quite good, but did not contain the less obvious signs (see SPOT A COUNTERFEIT GBA GAME--LOOK CLOSER)

Of course, the price should have been a dead give away. Used games just don't sell that cheaply. Though, sometimes you have to test the seller out. Buy just one item. If it's a fake, immediately report the item to the auction website and if you paid with PayPal, you have an option:

At the top of PayPal's page, click Resolution Center and file a dispute with the seller. Immediately escalte to a claim if the seller likes to argue or seems like he might dump his money and run. You are covered under buyer protection and you should get a full refund.

And by the way, the seller I emtioned above? We reported hundreds of his items to eBay and he is no longer selling on eBay.

REPORT SUSPECTED BOOTLEG GAMES TO THE AUCTION SITE AND NINTENDO.COM EMAIL WITH THE SELLER ID AND NINTENDO WILL GET INVOLVED LICKETY SPLIT! You might not get an email about every little detail, but Nintendo is good about making a quick response if more info is needed.

There's no picture! Just prefilled information and a stock photo.
Well, sometimes us sellers are short of time. A good bit of us are working slobs just trying to get ahead. If you email a seller and ask for a photo of the game and he or she refuses, just look elsewhere. It might not necessarily mean they are selling bootleg, maybe short on time, lazy, or maybe they really are selling fakes. Sometimes you just have to test the waters. Check their feedback and run from the negatives!

If the item has few days, you might consider emailing the seller's previous customers and politely asking them about the product they received (click on the seller's feedback and click on buyers from there). Most are happy to help out when they have the time.

New GBA game! Box ships flat for easier shipping
Alright, that's just lame. If the seller states that the box will be shipped flattened out on a BRAND NEW GAME, it isn't new. Duh