why are sellers to be trusted, but buyers are not?

"in all cases, the seller must be trusted to send the item as described, but the buyer is not trusted to send the money"

@herman - In the words of Bruce Hornsby:

"That's just the way it is, some things'll never change."

Steps that buyers and sellers can take to protect themselves have been covered in these threads ad nauseam.  Almost nothing in life is without risk.  If your tolerance for risk is very low, the best you can do would be to either make your audio equipment purchases in person, or from a retailer.  You could also consider the golden rule (those with the gold rule) and ask your seller to send your purchase in advance of your payment.  Everything is a negotiation, so the worst they can say is no.

@yogiboy - I've never been to a restaurant that is not 'fast-food' where you have to pay before you get your meal. So I've just named one. 

@larsman That’s ridiculous analogy!

@yogiboy - 

"Have you ever bought anything that you did not have to pay first? If so name one! I sure can’t!!"

That isn't an analogy, it is a fact, and was a legitimate response to your question. 

@larsman , +1

Touché!

@yogiboy , 

He’s got you dead to rights on that one!

You order your food, you receive your food, you consume your food. You then get the bill and pay for your food. You have literally received the product you ordered before paying for it with zero chance of returning it. Well, technically you can return it, but not in the original condition and I imagine they’d frown upon accepting next day returns.😃