Greeteings 4+1 wires! Not too wurrie. Since mi farther was releesed frum the un just prison he was domociled in, we have sett upmany pay pals accoutingments to relive you of yor eccessive banjos and relive you of yor burdem! Polize send us too yor infortmation and we wile be happie to accomo date you.

Yor brother in banjo happyness! Swahallowthis (from banjered's simultaneous soul incarnation in Nigeria!)

99.99% of all internet scams only use the sale or purchase of an “item” as a confidence prop. The object is meaningless and the scammer almost never actually wants it.

Read the FBI and FTC websites on internet fraud and get familiar with the various forms of advance payment scams.

Basically, if the buyer wants you to send money to anyone it is a scam. If they “overpaid” it is a scam. If they have “internet connection” limitations it is a scam.

The scammers are everywhere. I’ve not had any problems buying or selling on the hangout. Always check to see if they have an overall positive rating. You don’t get positive ratings from scamming. Im always Leary of new members and first time sellers. I was a first time seller once and I’m sure I was looked upon the same way … with suspicion . Best of luck

I've bought and sold hundreds of banjos, guitars, etc. using paypal from people across the country for years without any real consumer protection and have never been ripped off: paypal and USPS money orders only. The reason is, if a buyer/seller won't have a phone conversation with me, then I won't deal with them at all; their story has to match the person telling it; and their method of communication: only an actual phone number. Anyway, the basis for CAVEAT EMPTOR, goes for the seller as well as the buyer.

It's always a good idea to check my sticky "Scammers Locked Out Each Day" which is on the Swap Shop forum to see if the suspected person's name appears there.

Always check and double check a new member. It's a shame one has to, but one does. Ask about the item, ask for more pictures, talk to him/her on the phone, get a feeling if it's a real sale or a scam.

I have no problem with PayPal except it's a caution if they ask you to use friends and family, as that leaves you no recourse should it prove to be a spam.

I've bought and sold several banjos on BHO without any problems. I don't use PayPal anymore because of problems with PP (unrelated to any BHO transactions).

I have had good luck accepting USPS money orders and personal or bank checks. I always wait for the check to clear before shipping the item. And I like to talk on the phone with the buyer before agreeing to sell an item so I don't get an item returned just because they changed their mind or found a better deal in the meantime.

And don't be in too big a hurry. A good deal is one that benefits both buyer and seller. Past history on BHO is important but I have at least one sale to a new member.

Good luck!