HESITANT with NEW member sellers

If a new member will not take Pay Pal I would walk away real fast !

I agree with yogiboy.

I have experience, and have even had problems with older sellers. Audiogon and PayPal themselves will provide no assistance, outside of Audiogon will cancel the sellers account. That doesn't get you any money back though.

Your main safety net is using a credit card through PayPal. While PayPal themselves were of no assistance, my CC bank was of great help. They refunded my money and had me ship the problem equipment directly to PayPal.
That left me and my bank out of the loop, and left PayPal and the seller to sort things out. I never knew of the final resolution, but I got my money back, which is all that mattered to me.

There is NO protection built into Audiogon. There IS protection through PayPal (not from PayPal), IF you use a credit card.

I agree with jmcgrogan2.  Use your credit card through PayPal for ultimate protection.  

PayPal only care for 3% commission they earn on each transaction. 

As a fairly new member of Agon. I can understand your trepidation.
Agon is not responsible for your transactions. You have to exert due dillegence.
I think you have done well by steering away from purchasing  equipment from sellers with no prior rating/feedback.
Though I have to say, all of the sellers on Agon, that I have bought from, have been most accommodating and forthright and have allowed me to demo the equipment before buying. That was something I was really surprised by- allowing a perfect stranger to come into your home to listen to your equipment.
So, if you see something that catches your eye, but the seller won't be flexible, then politely decline the offer and wait for the next seller. I can promise you, you won't be sorry.