Look closely at the sellers ratings from previous offerings. if the items are big ticket items and he/she has good ratings your fine, and a seller with several 50 or more A+ ratings isn't going to screw you over something small. If a seller has sold nothing but nickel and dime items , has a low post count /few ratings (Under 10-20) and your items is the first BIG $$ item..beware....some crooks will build a good rating with small items them offer one of those "Too Good To be true" deals....Be smart, do just a little research on your seller and you'll be fine. I have never used the escrow service and never been screwed (yet). But I NEVER buy from NEW SELLERS on boards or Gunbroker unless it is a small <$20 items that I can afford to be screwed over and others have gone before me and had good transactions...