Deals Gone Bad

Very little EBay for me. I only buy from trusted places like Ali Express. 😝. No actually I haven’t bought from EBay in a decade and never from Ali Express.

I've probably done well into the hundreds of audio transactions over ebay, audiogon, USAudioMart and individual dealers  over many years. Quite a few have been international, only one issue and that was from seller in my home state. My greatest problem has been shipping cross borders with US Postal Service, customs big issue here, I avoid them if at all possible, shippers acting as brokers better proposition. As for buying and selling I look for long term, large number of feedback, also conversation via messaging.  Perhaps I've been lucky?

It’s a shame that your federal government has forced everyone away from PayPal. Then again, PayPal is complicit in this theft. 

I refuse to buy without a FaceTime conversation with the seller. It's amazing how well this works as a BS/Scam filter. 

I second oddiofyl on TMR - Joshua and team are really great.

Never gotten fully burned (worst example is that I bought a Technics tonearm on EBay and the tonearm lift didn't work).  I did have one example where a guy in Europe was listing a pair of Amati Homages at $12k that I thought seriously about buying. Had limited but all positive feedback, but he required a wire transfer. I was a little concerned, so asked for home address and phone number.  Did a google search on the address and it was basically a parking lot in an industrial area.  That was a big red flag and I ceased contact.  About a month later another Audiogoner bought the speakers, sent the wire, and the seller disappeared (the buyer posted about it).  Dodged one there.

In short, trust your instincts and don't be embarrassed about asking for an much info as you need to make yourself comfortable with the deal