how do i know if i have successfully purchased an item from ebay?

[tstore]

When you buy it.

[davewil1964]

Site Map, at the bottom of every page, is a mine of information. Try it.

[maconii]

Purchase History 

[davewil1964]

I'd still recommend site map. I suspect OP doesn't know what a purchase history is.

[zelly888]

When it turns up,because you can purchase and pay for it but unless it turns up it won't be a successful purchase.

[chameleon54]

Hover your mouse on My Ebay ( top right of tool bar, next to sell, community etc. ) A menu will drop down. About half way down is purchase history. Click on this and you can see your purchases.

[lyndal1838]

You have purchased 2 similar items from the same seller since Christmas Day.

Have you paid for them yet?

If they have been paid for then it will still be a while before they arrive in the mail.  The item bought on Christmas Day could only have been posted yesterday at the earliest.

If they have not been paid for yet then you can expect the seller to oen Unpaid Item disputes very soon.