There are so many scams going on with the Tractors, ATV's and other similar items.  Although there are many reputable sellers on eBay, there are those who's offers are too good to be true.  I almost bit on these on 2 occasions (once on 1 year old John Deere 455 diesel with front end loader, deck , plow and supposedly 45 min from me and only $2400, and once on a quad which was to be shipped from some other country) but my procrastinate nature helped protect me.  I was able to be saved because I dragged my feet.

As a general rule (for me), if I am going to buy something of this caliber, I'm going to want to see it before I buy.  Using the local search features can cut down the search area.  I use 500 miles (even though I probably will only travel about half that. but the right deal will get me travelling).  If you are going to get scammed, wouldn't you really want to drive less of a distance to do so? 

Ask the seller if you can see the item.  If they don't respond, it may be a scam.  If they tell you that the item is located somewhere else; good sign of a scam (not always, but enough to scare me off).

Cash on pickup is great!  It almost gives you an out, especially if the seller assures you that if you don't like it at pick up, then you don't have to take it.

Don't have the cash? How about this idea to run by your seller?  Use their computer or bring your laptop to paypal them on the spot at pick up?  This way, you are not obligated to get them to refund the funds if you are not satisfied.

If there is a Buy It Now price which seems low, it may be a scam.

If the seller wants to put you on a 'qualified bidders' list or something similar to that, it more than likely is a scam.

If they want you to use a money order and complete the transaction outside of eBay, IT IS A SCAM!

If they say that their "in box" is full or that they cannot access the "ask seller a question option" and they give you an email address outside of eBay, IT IS A SCAM!

If they want you to use a third party to "clear" the money (other than trusted services such as  paypal or bidpay)...probably a scam.

If they list an item of any value for only 24 hours...IT IS A SCAM! (Think about it...wouldn't you want as much exposure to get as much action as possible?  These are done by people who have hijacked accounts, fly under the radar because they are listed for such short periods and eBay is just not that responsive).

If they say "contact me for the buy it now price," pretty sure it is a scam!

Second chance offers...probably a scam and probably the guy who you asked a question to in a previous auction.  He got your name, know you are interested and may scam a number of people to the same item (which he doesn't really have anyway).  If it is real then the seller could set up a private auction.   Drag your feet.  Hijacked accounts usually get picked up in about a week anyway.

Don't rush.  Plan ahead.  Look for a while [I suggest a month if you can wait.  There are 2 benefits: 1)Learn what similar others are selling for ,and 2) Learn about scams].  You will learn who's auctions are fraudulent.  You will recognize the same pictures or a large number of items from the same seller, yet when you look at the pictures, they are not all in the same 'setting'. 

Check ID history before bidding.  Why does someone even need to change their ID?

I almost got taken once.  I won tickets for the Daytona 500.  I am in the Pennsylvania.  The seller was in California.  The seller changed his policy after I won about who was to pay for the shipping.  I was is California, 15 minutes from him for a convention.  I was willing to meet him to eliminate the whole shipping dispute.  He wouldn't answer emails or return calls.  I consider myself lucky (even though I earned a red flag).  I could only assume that he didn't have the tickets or was upset because his other, similar auction fetched a much higher price (and wanted the same for this one).

If you can contact each other before or after the sale, then you are more than likely able to hammer out problems which may arise.  Recently I purchased an item which wasn't as described.  I contacted the seller and he acknowledged an error on his end and offered a full refund.  There was a high shipping cost.  I proposed the idea that if I could make the item work for less than the cost of the return shipping, then he could simply do a partial refund for that cost of the transaction.  It took me 3 weeks to find a compatible, feasible alternative and he cheerfully refunded the shipping.  He saved the sale.  I kept a good product.  We kept positives feedbacks for each other and would absolutely buy from him again.

Here's the bottom line.  If you can make contact with a seller, it is generally better than not.  (High volume sellers will disagree because they cannot keep up on correspondence due to their high volume.)  .  Like momma always said, "IT'S BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY!!!"

Dan The Man!!!