I personally think all these CL scammers have kind of f'd things up for well meaning Buyers like myself who are just trying to make a purchase out of their local area. There are ways to make both parties feel comfortable with the transaction. What people don't seem to acknowledge is that the Buyer is taking a risk also, often more so than the Seller. (by putting money up front!)

This is not Nigeria here we are adults trying to come to terms for the sale of a bike and I am well meaning interested party, so lets try to hammer out a deal ok?? And yes I am paying extra shipping so lets try to work that into the deal, but at least there are no FeeBay middle man charges for the Seller.

I am a handshake kind of guy and like to have a first impression conversation with the Seller to sort of feel each other out. If I feel ok about the Seller and like the bike I will offer up a free and clear deposit via PayPal, USPS Gold standard Money order or even Wallmart Money gram where they just get the funds clear at local Wallmart. For the rest of transaction If it is a complete bike I will say drop it off at LBS for boxing and shipping location and then soon as I have conformation of that I will transfer balance. The LBS is the neutral go between and hey really, if funds haven't cleared the bike is still at the shop, usually for a few days getting ready to be shipped off.

I also ask the Buyer to Invoice me. PayPal does offer some Buyer /Seller Protection

Yeah so I don't like that I have to wag my tail so much and take extra financial risk as a Buyer, especially when I am a real honest straight up guy just shopping out of my area, but thats what all these S#it head CL scammers have done.