Funny thing is the guitar I bought from Timson 23 did turn out to be pretty much a bargain - a slightly above entry level Morris, with a good hard case, a metal stand, an expensive leather strap, and brass bridge pins (and some pitch pipes that did not work).

It took me a day's play to sort the action out (truss rod, nut, saddle). It could still be lower, but it plays pretty OK, and I can use it for some alternative tunings that are not on on the better guitars with really low actions. A biggish sound for a cheap guitar. In short ideal for camping at festivals. ALl I need to do now is to put in an undersaddle and preamp in case I get invited on stage, and "sorted" for next summer.

The total cost of this Morris? 77 pounds steerling (plus my petrol to go and get it). Well, let's be frank, the case is nearly new and would have been over GBP40. The stand would have been over GBP 10. The strap is the sort that is usualy about GBP 7 to 10. I know brass bridge pins are GBP 10. So the Morris guitar itself stands me in at the equivalent of GBP 10. At the same time I bought a nice little Sigma DM2, spent a day's play fixing it up and put new strings on it and sold it for a profit (after strings and ebay commission) of GBP 10.

So the Morris was free!

Now the Hag was a bit dearer than that, but I'm still glad to have her, and my other 15 or so ebay purchases have been without problem, so it's really luck of the draw.

I did inspect another Hagstrom in due course, but no way was I bidding on that! It was a (worse) MESS.

So, yes, inspect first if possible if it's real money, and go to collect with cash, (and walk, never mind the feedback, if the item is not as described). If you trust unwisely, make sure you have a real address, and sue!