Not sure I know what you mean by the buyer having to pay a 'research fee' (and certainly not what that has to do with respect online

What reference are you talking about?

I cannot think what this would have to do with eBay, buyers look for things for themselves, for free

Sorry, but scratching my head trying to work out exactly what it is you want buyers to pay for (other then items they buy from sellers)

If you mean you expect want buyers to pay you to look for things for them (as in a finder's fee???), then no

And pretty sure eBay would shut anyone trying to do such a thing down 

There is also a thing called Google