If you were going to purchase a USED part here on the forum, would a member with ONLY 8 posts, be a safe bet?

How about time, they have been a member for almost a year, but still only 8 posts....

 

Ask and see if the seller has any references, like an ebay account or something of the like. If you get the sellers' number and address without hesitation, and they don't sound flakey, then I usually go through with it, It may also help to talk to them on the phone about it.

On other sites I've been on, I've noticed that post count doesn't really matter. Sometimes someone with a few posts will be a great seller, while someone with many posts will be a flake.

 

just purchase via Paypal if you feel pretty confident. That way you can get all but $25 if you don't get what you paid for.

 

I think the fact that he has been a member for a year shows that even though he may not post much he didn't just show up to post an ad.

 

it really depends... I always like to get a phone number and talk w/ them on the phone... much easier to feel someone out that way than to just send money to a bunch of letters on the screen

 

I personally like the e-mail transactions, that way if I have to take them to small claims court I have proof of the conversations instead of hear say. Pretty easy to win a law suit that way. After I get the information I need in writing then I call them just to feel out the integrity of the person.