I have yet to purchase guitars from the forum here,can anyone tell me how is the safe way for both the buyer & seller to make the exchange?

I have purchased things from these guys with no problem. This isn't Ebay. I would trust anyone on this list. If you are nervous, use paypal. Most of us use it.

You could always ask the seller for references from fellow forumites. Also, I recommend talking by phone to any prospective sellers so you can get a feel for the seller and find out about the guitar for sale. It is always enjoyable to talk to fellow pickers and gives me a feeling of comfort to know whom I am dealing with. This is a pretty great group of guys and gals who frequent this forum. I bought my OM2H here and it went quite smoothly.

There are no official safety measures governed by the forum for either the buyer or the seller - that wouldn't really be possible on this level. It's at your own risk. But, as already mentioned, the Collings Forum members tend to be very ethical and trustworthy. I'd personally be comfortable with a direct exchange, but would still prefer some sort of phone contact.

I would hesitate from buying from someone who just came here to sell a guitar and has maybe a history of one post and three days since registering. Anyone can sign up and run a fast scam then disappear. But the guys who have been here awhile, they are probably more trustworthy than buying from a dealer. Also, watch out for someone selling something way below market value.

I think this is an excellent question Winfield.

Over the years I've purchased dozens of guitars from the web - ebay, this forum, other sources. I've had excellent experiences and I've also experienced fraud, but not on this forum.

Every transaction I've had on this forum, both as buyer and seller, has been a pleasure. Having said that, I would never enter into a transaction without some safeguards for my protection and the protection of the other party.

I like using PayPal for this purpose because there is at least a measure of security, given that each account is connected to an actual bank account, credit card account, and more.

I particularly like PayPal for purchases because my account uses my American Express platinum card for payment. With this card, as with many cards, I have the right to contest any charge I make if I feel like there is some sort of fraud involved. I simply call Amex, advise them that I want to report a potential fraud situation, and they automatically credit my card with a refund for the charge in question while they investigate. Out of hundreds of purchases I've made with PayPal (not just guitars), I've had to report maybe 10 instances of fraud. In other words, I sent payment, but the seller either didn't send the item (usually the case) or the item sent was nothing like what was advertised.

So, when I use PayPal paid from my Amex, I can unilaterally report a problem and receive an automatic refund - even if the seller does not cooperate (which is usually the case) and even though I used PayPal. This gives me peace of mind in making big $$ purchases on the 'net.

Hope that helps.

All well and good. PayPal does protect the purchaser, but my experience with eBay and PayPal (not this forum, however) indicates that one should more often fear the buyer. My worst experience, to this end, was with a relatively well-known online California guitar dealer (he purchased a guitar from me) who used PayPal to fraudulently claim misrepresentation of the product (a near-mint guitar). He unilaterally (allegedly) shipped it to an address that PayPal provided (not my address) and PayPal cheerfully refunded his money. PayPal often plays good cop/bad cop but will, ultimately, do whatever they choose with no recourse for the loser in the deal. Seller beware.

I purchased a guitar from a business that had the guitar consigned for an individual last December.I used a Visa card to make payment and the transaction went rather smoothly.I recieved the item and took it to my good friend and Collings dealer who pointed out two small seperations in finish on the sides that seemed to run with the grain of the wood and suggested I send it back to the seller.I very well would have missed the defect since it blended with the mahogany grain so well.Meanwhile an ice storm hits Missouri where the business was located and I cant reach them for two weeks.Make a long story shorter...I had to file a dispute with Visa and he fought it ever inch of the way even threating to take it to court.He made one crucial mistake he had listed it on ebay and I believe even sold it,but still was fighting the claim.Thanks to Visa Im now totally ebay G.A.S. free...not to be mistaken with free gas mind you..

Impeccable references. Details agreed upon before purchase. No money, no guitar. I've yet to have a transaction fail. I've been buying and selling guitars long enough- okay, way too damned long- and dealers know me and know that my word is my bond. I do not trust ebay,and have never even bid on a guitar. Person to person or person to dealer, and that's it. WC Fields had it right: you can't cheat an honest man.