Paypal is as safe as the next thing that involves credit cards...I've never heard of a fraud though and transactions using Paypal are always safe...
I think that there is a subscription fee (a small one) and nothing else apart from that.Paypal is earning money as most Internet companies,by advertising <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />
If you really want to make some bids,it is the safest way to do it...You even have insurance in case the seller doesn't send the item or tries to rip you off...
Hope I helped.
Nick the Greek <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />