Read Tucker's "VERIFY" sticky in the PX sections if you haven't already. Ask the seller if he's in the "Good Guy listing" in the PX Feedback subforum and I'd ask where (page #), makes him easy to find. There are any number of precautions you can take, most of which are already listed in Tucker's sticky but in the end "you pays your money & takes your chances". The most comman assurances are probably post counts, good guy list past transaction histories, speaking with the seller on the phone to get a "feel" of the the seller, pictures of the product, etc. Some buyers have even asked for some form of the sellers ID with a picture of the product. How you transact the deal can help, ie, Paypal, etc. It IS harder for new members here because you aren't familiar with the regular members who are "solid" I've always felt if the item is a high $ amount and the seller is unknown to me and or low post count, requiring some assurance like some form of ID is not unreasonable. If it pisses them off, then probably a good idea to just back away. Rip offs are rare but it does happen. Your intuition is probably your best guide. Good luck with your purchase.