EBay traders, online shop owners and other consumer gadget buyers looking to purchase a touch screen MP4 player will soon be in the enviable position of being spoilt for choice.

Chinese manufacturers are getting set to offer a number of touch screen MP4s into a market filled largely by marquee producers, like the iPod iTouch, or Blackberry Pearl, giving electronics consumers, eBay traders and online store owners a much wider selection of competitively priced touchscreen MP4 players to choose from.

While the increasing availability of touchscreen MP4 players will be extremely marketable there are still things to look for when choosing a MP4 touch screen player to make sure you, or your customer, will get the best deal possible.

Anyone looking to purchase a touchscreen MP4 will have to ask more questions on top of those asked when sourcing a MP4 player.

You may also want to ask:

How durable is the screen?

How can the screen be configured or re-configured?

Is the screen a resistive screen or is it multi touch?

How can I reset a locked touchscreen MP4

How durable is the screen?

This will be the first question consumers ask you as an eBay trader, whether you're selling a digital touch screen 4GB MP4 player, or touchscreen MP4 watch.

Ask the person you're buying the player off how many times you can touch the screen. The interface on most touchscreen MP4 players should last for about five million touches, but this may vary from player to player.

But extra shielding is always welcomed and touch screen guards can be bought from most electronics stores.

How can the screen be configured or reconfigured?

Touchscreen MP4s sometimes require re-calibration to work properly, ask the vendor how it can be done and make sure before making any firm commitments.

While you will need to ask the vendor for advice on specific models the protective screen can often be one common gremlin preventing responsive action. Ensure, when you remove the plastic protection system, you get all of it and none is stuck in the corners or on the edge of the screen.

Is the screen a Resistive Touch Screen or is it Multi-Touch

There is more than one type of touch screen. Most touchscreen MP4 players and PDA devices use a variation of a four or eight-wire resistive system, which uses wires to track the location of the stylus or finger.

Newer touch screen MP4 players, like the iTouch, use multi touch technology, which allows the user to utilize multiple fingers on the surface of the device at the same time.

How can I reset a locked touchscreen MP4?

Screen freeze is common problem for any portable touch screen device. Check to see how the device you are considering purchasing can be unfrozen.

Are there buttons at the top which will automatically take you back to the menu or will you have to take the battery out and reboot it completely?

You may be leery of sourcing new touchscreen MP4 players because of their novelty, but this should not hold you back. You should be able to negate any quality concerns simply by doing a little research, asking a few questions and dealing with a trusted online wholesaler.