Possibly the only things more intriguing than some of the items that have been up for auction on eBay (scratch-n-sniff salami stickers for $5, a used Pontiac GTO for $2.1 million, two medium-sized pairs of used men’s black underwear for $5.99, an empty Coke bottle guaranteed to be full of honesty for $.99) are the people selling them.

I made my first-ever eBay purchase not long ago, with four subsequent acquisitions to date. I recently contemplated a sixth purchase, but the $5.95 shipping price for a Steve Prefontaine DVD with a starting bid of $2.85 that’s likely worth no more than a buck seemed a bit nutty. While browsing the site looking for an alternative running film selection, an e-mail in my My eBay account alerted me that I’ve been delinquent in leaving feedback for “magicmatt635” — the seller from my most recent transaction.

I typed in that the item I won arrived on the date and in the condition promised. A few minutes later, the little number in parentheses to the right of my screen name increased from four to five, indicating new feedback had been left about me. It was from magicmatt635, who had apparently waited 35 days since the sale closed for me to make the first feedback move. Wussy.

Regardless, I don’t want to brag, but I’m a great eBayer. Everyone says so ... or at least the five people with whom I’ve exchanged money for stuff.

Swedemom and eastcoastpubman both regard me as a “top-shelf buyer” thanks to my prompt payment. Dallasannie raved that I am “an excellent buyer” due to my “easy, pleasant transaction.” Chicken_little22 gushed that I am a “true pleasure to deal with” in no small part because of my “great communication and lightning fast payment.” And despite my delayed feedback submission, magicmatt635 cooed that I’m utterly “perfect.” Three of the five sellers rated my performance as a buyer as not merely A+, but A++++++++. And at the risk of tooting my own horn even further, I have been “welcome back anytime” by two of the five sellers.

I pity other buyers who haven’t fared as well, feedback-wise. But let’s be realistic — with more than a million transactions daily, not every eBayer can expect to receive marks as high as mine.

That became evident when I looked to see the feedback exchanges between my five sellers (or, as I now refer to them, my biggest fans) and their other buyers. One of the sellers accused a buyer of not paying as requested and then ignoring e-mails and invoices. The buyer hissed back that the seller was new and “jumped the gun leaving negative feedback.” An unnamed third party ended the altercation by declaring the ratings had been mutually withdrawn, with buyer and seller also jointly agreeing to withdraw feedback for the item.

Much like Alcoholics Anonymous and kindergarten, respect and communication are the cornerstones of the eBay community. Fundamental values (explicitly posted on eBay’s Web site like the Ten Commandments used to be displayed in former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore’s courtroom) exist by which the members are expected to adhere: People are basically good. Everyone has something to contribute. An honest, open environment can bring out the best in people. Everyone is recognized and respected as a unique individual. Everyone is encouraged to treat others as they would want to be treated.

(Also, like at AA meetings and in kindergarten, booze is not permitted on eBay.)

Whether an item buys or sells for a quarter or a quarter of a million dollars is seemingly irrelevant. What appears to matter to the hierarchical clique of eBayers whose livelihood depends on others’ nostalgia for pouches of grape Big League Chew bubble gum is that the rules are respected.

Five purchases certainly don’t make me eBay elite. But an e-mail in my My eBay account let me know that I’m “off and running” with five positive feedback comments. In fact, I’m halfway to earning my Yellow Star and have been encouraged to keep up the good work. But certainly the most meaningful passage in the e-mail expressed appreciation for my help in reinforcing eBay’s value that People Are Basically Good.

My parents will be so proud.

Meredith Carroll can be reached at meredithccarroll@hotmail.com.