"If we make a deal, of course I'll provide my name and address. But I'm certainly not posting it on the internet for every spammer, telemarketer, crook, thief or whatever to see."

...why should anyone in this forum trust someone who is so adamantly against signing his name to a offer to enter into a financial transaction? There usually is no need for public posting of addresses or phone numbers, but not posting your name shows me that you don't trust this forum. Look at the posts, you don't have to open them, just look at who posted them. Show the rest of this community the same courtesy.

"If you want to post your names on here fine. But not me."

If you want to deal with real people, be real. I've been participating in this forum since its inception, and other forums before he placed this BB on the web.

"But anybody can view this site and I don't want to assist them in making me a victim."

...I'd suggest two things. 1st, if you don't want to be a victim in any way, find a different ISP. AOL will sell you out to more people than this BB ever could. 2nd, go to eBay or some other site that will let you peddle your wares and remain anonymous. That way you won't have to reveal your name, won't have to expose yourself to making friends, won't have to make yourself vulnerable to being a victim of those friendships.

...paranoia is difficult to deal with. ...however, there is at least one licensed psychiatrist among our ranks, and he might work for free in your case.

Bob