For me at least, the time has come where I'll probably not be bidding on any machines on Ebay, especially the high end ones. Due to these scam artists' ability to hijack a legitimate seller's Ebay name and other data, you can't even say, "Oh, I know this guy, he's ok." I feel bad for all the prospective collectors starting up out there. We were all in that boat once, many of us long before all the reference books that abound out there. I came close to being scammed last year when I was unsuccessful on bidding on a Kreusi replica. Several days later, I received an email from the "purported" seller saying that the high bidder had reneiged, and I could have it for my bid. He even sent me a "legitimate" looking website of the shipper. He wanted me to wire the money Western Union to Greece!!!. I called the shipping company, and they said the didn't do business the way this individual claimed and that it was probably a scam. (I was suspicious when he told me NOT to contact the shipping company. Sometimes it's good to be contrary!) If anyone is interested, I saved all those emails from the seller (and "shipping company")and I will send them to you off list. (It's good for a chuckle, because he was really desperate, he even changed the wire address to a UK office later on!) I also went to the FedGov page and reported the attempted transaction, needless to say, I haven't heard a peep from them. Be ever vigilant! Bill