I suppose that since I started this thread, and since some of the
responses were sent directly to me rather than via MMD, I should
summarize a bit.  "Thank you" to _all_ who contributed.

1) Internet auction scams are not going to go away, nor is Internet
crime in general.  There's no adequate way to warn the right people.
It's frustrating, but it's a fact of Internet life.  Internet auctions
are not for everybody -- buy from a reputable dealer and eliminate the
risk.  One person summed it up this way: "I finally gave up on eBay
and [...] also with PayPal."

2) Many Internet scams can be recognized.  Use common sense, and read
the warnings.  If you're in doubt about the item, ask questions that
require the seller to have the item in their possession in order to
answer.  Ask for additional photos.  Ask to call and hear it play.
Ask to use an escrow service of _your_ choosing.  (Probably at your
expense.)  Ask someone knowledgeable (like MMD) for a second opinion.
"If it looks too good to be true, it _isn't!_"

3) Report scams.  The current eBay item and seller which I used as
an example were _both_ removed by eBay at the last minute, and eBay
notified all bidders.  But this happened _only_ after several of us
reported the bogus item and photos, the lack of consistent account
activity, and after I verified and reported that the seller's phone
number was a parking garage in San Francisco.  (Contact info on eBay,
unfortunately, is only available after you have already bid on an item,
and gives the "seller" your info as well.  Bid low, then research.)
I've also been successful in reporting shill bidders' multiple accounts,
fraudulent "Second Chance" offers, etc.  Keep getting them kicked off
eBay -- it might not stop fraud, but can certainly slow it down.

Since there's no "magic bullet" to make it all go away, just keep
fighting the battle.

Todd Augsburger - Roller Organs
http://www.rollerorgans.com/