I have purchased a lot of used muzzleloaders as well. Many of them from gun auction sites. I found what one believes is in good condition and what I believe is in good condition is two different things. I have been lucky and only got stung once.

But you have a point. On forums such as these we develop a friendship of sorts with absolute strangers. We also get to learn a little about them from their posts. So it is safer to purchase from someone you "know."