Buying Big Ticket Items

I've bought twoBMW's on okay in Texas (I'm from Iowa), one which was a great experience and one that left something to be desired. Therefore I've learned a thing or two about how to proceed with caution to help ensure a satisfactory transaction.
1. Do your research, both on okay and other sources. Itwill help if you can be knowledgable about the item, and potential problems. For example, there's many chat rooms on the internet that readily discuss pros and cons of a particular model.
2. If you haven't done #1 above, don't feel pressured to bid just because you think you've found the 'perfect' item, but time is expiring very quickly. One thing I've discovered is that if you're patient, there'll be another one on okay soon, and sometimes will be a better bargain.
3. If it looks too good to be true, it generally is. Rarely on okay will you find a price bargain, but more often will find a value bargain (i.e. great value for the price).
4. The more pictures and description, the higher likelihood the item will prove to be exactly as described. There's a reason the okay listing with one picture and a couple of lines of description is much cheaper. Sometimes these can be a great deal, but the risk is higher that it has defects the seller isn't disclosing.
5. Note the number and percentages of positive feedback. A good seller will work very hard to keep this at 100% positive. However, while this can be helpful in determining the honesty of the seller, this is not an absolute. The seller may have sold hundreds of geic books, but this is the first time he's sold a car. Read the feedback gements.
6. Ask questions, and don't assume anything. It may seem to be a obvious item, but if you don't confirm, you have no recourse later.
7. Finally, if picking up an item in person, bring two cashiers checks, one for 10% of the value. For example, if the car was sold for $10,000, take a check for $9000 and one for $1000. If the item is as described, you can give both checks. However if there are blemishes that weren't described, but yet not defective enough to negate the sale, you can negotiate the final $1000 with the seller.