First time buyer-HOW?

If you are talking about first time buying on Audiogon the others advise is good.

yeh i agree w/ the other guys totally---home e mail adresses and please get their home number and address and talk live before a transaction-- i havent met a bad penny yet!(cross fingers)-feel the person out on the phone (in caracter) if they seem dodgy dont do it!

What exactly, or in-exactly, are you planning to buy? When you say that this is your "first purchase" it's more than a little bit fuzzy. Advice regarding risk and precautions is a relative thang... depends on what you are buying and what you are spending. One size do not be fittin' all.