Al is giving excellent advice. Personally, I would be loath to deal with any overseas buyer or seller these days. But if you must...
1. Ask questions. I would recommend asking for the serial number and a couple of extra photos. If they can't supply because "the phono is already boxed up" or some other lame excuse, move on. 2. If there is a way to pay with your credit card, do it. If you don't get your merchandise, you have recourse through the credit card issuer. I once got caught in the midst of a tiff between an owner and consignment seller. I got the phonograph which the eBay consignment seller possessed, but the horn was still with the original owner who refused to give it up. Once I got ahold of the owner and explained that I would simply contest the credit card charge and keep the 1/2 phono for my trouble, the horn showed up quickly. 3. If your buyer sends a check, money order, etc., make sure it clears the bank before shipping the merchandise. One scam involves the "buyer" sending way too much money, then requesting that you send the merchandise and overpayment right away. The scammer gets your property, some extra folding cash, and you get a fake money order and nasty letter from your bank. 4. Use a reputable escrow service. 5. And lest we forget the old "the machine is in Chicago but I'm on an extended business trip to France, so please send the money here" scam! Maybe someone would like to volunteer to pull all of this advice into a nice FAQ for the list? Loran
