Any deal even face to face is always a leap of faith. I have not to this point had any trouble with anyone on the New FB. However I had one real bad deal on the Old FB with Joe Cordino when I bought his AR wheels, the pic's were poor and his dicsiption was downright dishonest. I did atleast recieve the wheels and tried to get my money back from him as they were beyond fixable. I ended up not getting my money back and selling them with the scrap iron.
Even at a swapmeet or someone stopping by to buy something there is always the chance of counterfiet bills as a seller. Less risk face to face as a buyer as you get to see the parts up close, not relying on someones word and afew pic's via the internet. Alot of risk as buyer on the internet, miscomunication, being deperate fot the part and assuming the best when the seller tries to show you the worst and afew just plain thieves. As Brent said above if you don't feel comfortable with the deal don't buy the parts. Just listing someones first name and the state likely won't get you too far as far as info here. User name and his posting history will say alot.
When I bought the tool box assembly for my delivery on the Old FB, I had vaguely heard of the person who called me in responce to my wanted post, but he knew some things about the tool box assemblies that only a person who had some time to study the part closely would know, so I went ahead and sent the money without even seeing pic's. Blind faith that worked out well. Abit overpriced, but also the only person who had the complete assembly for sale. It's not like these pop up on e-bay 2 or 3 times a year.
Ask some questions and ask for some pictures. Anyone serious about selling and actually have what they say they are selling, will have the right answers and with some luck pictures showing the good and the bad of the part.
Rod