You really cant, that's why it's honesty based.

1.check the seller's Trader Ratings
2.check the seller's joining date
3.check the seller's legitimity: a 1 year member who never signs up for any game and only has 3 ads selling car equipment is not very legitimate on ASC and should be considered with caution.
4.never offer electronic payement for local pickup unless you know the customer.

Just to add, also look at who the trader ratings are from. If the seller has a couple of positive or negative feedbacks from well respected community members it should tell you something.

How about this guy ?

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/member.php?u=478

I got screw by him almost 500 $ and I can't do anything at all.

he only have 3 positive feedback.
anyways i always ask for the sellers personal info when buying expensive toys.

If it's not a custom order, why seller's don't use C.O.D, Cash on delivery. You ship your gun or anything, when the guy receive it he pays the postman and Postal office pays you.

Re:Fraud and online sales...
 

Hi Agit-Prop,

Well,Thanks for posting such a nice information regarding Fraud in On-line Sales.You have created a good awareness among others in the topic of on-line sales.I like these article and want to know some more tips regarding these article.I am waiting for your positive reply.

Thanks

Agit-Prop no longer (hardly ever) frequents this forum anymore.

Is that me or the links do not work anymore ? Thanks !

yeah, same problem here

Updated links

Hey anyone know if these sights are real or just fakes trying to scam me?
mach1airsoft.com
shootsoft.com
albertaairsoft.com
airsplat.com
coastreconairsoft.ca
buyairsoft.ca
Thanks any info on this would really help.

mach1airsoft.com is one of the reasons we get our guns from CA, Ares and VF now, so they are definately not a scam.

albertaairsoft.com aka Captial Airsoft is a very well known airsoft site here on ASC, Jeff is a really nice guy who's always willing to help you with anything airsoft wise. Both are solid if not outstanding retailers.

The rest of the links, I'd stay away from.

You will however mostly likely have to get Age Verfied to purchase from these two sites. Check the FAQ for how to get verified.

Buyairsoft.ca kills kittens.

So does airsplat.

I don't know if anyone has used BBB.com before but I just tried it with another website that scammed me some money a couple months ago.