myself and a few others got burned by a guy here a few months ago.
i should have taken the time to think about, and do research before hand, though with only a few minutes before having to leave for work, i didn't do my homework first. was in a rush to "lock in" a good deal.
thread:
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/new-member-sale-section/240037-ar500-steel-target-lot.html
from that, an excerpt:
lessons learned:
1) avoid n2sndndld and the name Danny Wieser.
2) when dealing with anyone, no more discreet payments through paypal - i'll spring for the couple of extra bucks to CYA just in case.
3) confirm identity through either personal email, cellphone, etc. BEFORE any funds are sent
4) get REAL tracking numbers
5) use credit card and not bank checking account for transactions (even through paypal), there's added protection there.
6) amazed at the amount of free personal information on the internet one can use to track folks down, especially when you connect the dots and unless you are living under a rock, there's hardly a place to hide. use this to your advantage.
also to add again i hold no ill toward the SH forum, it was my stupidity not to do the above in this instance because i was in a rush.
and thanks to all the behind the scenes stuff
ugotbit, doc68, geevee35, mrspradlin did, i hope you got your stuff and / or refunds with your situations, which also goes to show 1 bad apple doesn't ruin the whole bunch.
so if ever doing business with a newbie, or even a seasoned poster:
1) no discreet payments through paypal - i'll spring for the couple of extra bucks to cover my ass just in case to cover the "payment sent for goods or services" in paypal. transactions can be refuted this way, and paypal can either reimburse you and go after the seller, or ruin his paypal rating so no one else will want to deal with him with anything.
2) confirm identity through either personal email, cellphone, etc. BEFORE any funds are sent
3) use credit card and not bank checking account for transactions through paypal, there's added protection there to protect against scams.
4) check the feedback score in the poster's profile, there may be some comments there that may lead you to believe they are not trustworthy.
5) do not use western union - i've found that using that media is like giving your purse away to a thug. Once the money is sent wired through WU, kiss it goodbye.
6) get a real name, phone #, or address - either physical address or email - amazing how much personal info is out there that you can basically do your own check on the seller's whereabouts for free. If someone who claims to be "So & So" in real life, and claims to live on "123 American Way Drive" an easy googlefu search can usually confirm that, along with the stuff people post on facebook.