People are making this into a bigger deal than it is and are probably people that have no experience doing long distance deals. Call the guy on the phone. Feel him out. PayPal friends and family is fine. I dealt in collectible bikes for years and never got burned. These were prewar Schwinns that cost thousands. If you don't do paypal, give him your bank account number and he can deposit money by walking into your bank. Fast, done, money in hand. Postal money orders or wires work also. I need to start selling tin foil hats on this site. I'd make a killing.

See, it's fud like this that freaks people out. "avoid friends and family". You like paying fees and giving the buyer, who you are worried about, more protection?

It should be a requirement that you have completed long distance deals before commenting.