how to buy with confidence...? PayPal?

I have made plenty of purchases on sites such as ebay, where there is buyer protection, but what is the policy here on FABO? I just read a thread where someone lost a huge pile of cash somehow in connection with a purchase. I would like to make some purchases here n the "parts for sale" section. I can't hardly send money to someone I dont know hundreds or thousands of miles away... and they likely feel the same way about sending parts to someone they dont know without having cash up front... what are you all doing here? Help!

thanks

Mark

Mark,
I look at the seller's previous posts, the threads they started and search their name/id on the site if I don't already know who they are.
I have had great success buying on this site. I have spent 1000s of dollars with members that I have never met and all have been great. If I am the least bit concerned then I make sure I use a credit card to fund the PayPal transaction so I have back up protection if PayPal should ever fail to take care of a bad situation.
Bill