Pulling the trigger on pricey equipment

You should also check into what type of insurance can be obtained on the shipment.

If you are nervous, you could also have the buyer take photos of the equipment with a current newspaper (to show that they actually have the equipment). ETC.

I used PayPal to purchase a 780.00 preamp. The seller tried his best to scam me buy not answering my Emails and not answering his phone. I sent cash through the PayPal system to a recognized name and address. I contacted PayPal and they froze his ACCOUNT that day. In 14 days the money was returned back into my account from his. That's the protection PayPal gives if you send payment to a PayPal recognized account.

I would not buy anything expensive without viewing it and listening to it.

Problem with PayPal is that silly buyers can use it to freeze the payment for no good reason and trust me when I say no good reason. I had a strange dude do this to me with a lame reason and PayPal just listened to the buyer and immediately froze by PayPal. Use PayPal at your own risk and know as a seller you have no protection from the crazies with any lame reason to cause trouble.

I've been fortunate on both the buy and sell side of many deals. Check my feedback.

For example, I just sold my ARC VS-115 amp for a fair piece of coin to a new member (no feedback) who lives on the west coast. I had a good feeling about the guy, especially after a live conversation or two. I even took his personal check and shipped before it cleared. Thank goodness .. no issues on either side of the deal. Check cleared and amp made it to the west coast in A-1 shape.

I also sold speakers (100 pounds each) that had to be palletized. Again, no problems on either side of the deal. Money cleared and speakers made it without a scratch.

I suppose member reviews are helpful, a live conversation is helpful and a little bit of luck is VERY helpful.