if you want some advice then follow the rules
they are in place to protect buyers and sellers
if you are buying off a newly registered member then try retrieve as much information as you can concerning their address, telephone number, full name & verified paypal account before handing over money, same could be said for established members
remember the least amount of information you get the more of a gamble you are taking !
concerning online car communities it is not uncommon for people to scam members / users, it is an easy way of making cash by taking advantage of trusting members
you have to make sure you have ticked all the boxes when coming to an agreement to purchase /sell something and there is always an element of risk when buying something over the internet, you have to make sure you have done all you can to minimize that risk
when selling an item do not accept a paypal payment then allow the buyer to pick up the item, one of the latest scams going
also as a seller always send the item recorded delivery to remove the element of doubt concerning missing in transit