RE: E-bay
I use paypal 99.9% of the time, they offer money back guarentee (sort of) on my bigger purchases, I've been screwed over by a few!
I'm also suprised sometimes to see how much stuff goes for on ebay, i usually run a quick check at Tower Hobbies to see what I'm bidding on costs there with shipping, and do a Tower Vs. Ebay price check. the cheaper one wins.
"do they still have the trade forum here"