You make your own way through life. The same is true when you are doing business. The net is a dangerous place, so use the mails as well as the net, Heck nothing beats the up front statement "I am planning travel soon How about I just pick it up!"
If the seller delays, hedges, or does not like that offer that is red flag #1.
Bottom line: be smart in any transaction you participate in and you are more likely to prevail later if it goes sour.
