Firstly, I understand that, but honestly, I am a member of 10+ bulletin boards (Turbo Ford, Subaru Legacy, OS2 World, etc.). ALL of them have a marketplace section, and I don't recall ANY of them every having "legal issues" because someone got con'ed. Yes, there have been issues of that nature, but the offender is usually banned or he injures his reputation so badly he can no longer do business.
Secondly, I think most people understand there is a certain amount of risk involved doing on-line transactions. You don't purchase from people when it seems shady to you. In addition, 99% of these transactions involve PayPal now, and I've never had PayPal rule in favor of the seller when I felt I was "wronged" by someone and could prove it.
Third, every one of those other boards has a legal disclaimer stating to the fact that they are not responsible, and by using the marketplace board you are agreeing to abide by it. Pay an attorney $75 and have them concoct a wordy blurb to place at the top of the marketplace forum if it's that scary.
Fourth, you can always setup guidelines. On one of the forums the rules are you must have been a member for 3+ months, have 50+ posts, add pictures of your items for sale, and indicate your location. And surprise, it works well on there.
Sorry, but I've read the posts and the arguments, and none of them make sense to me other than just "not wanting to do it." Also, many of the members on Vogons seem to be outside of the US, and most people don't like to ship internationally, so I wonder if some of it isn't an "if I can't play, no one can" attitude. Does anyone know of any other hobby BB that does NOT have a sort of marketplace or trade/buy/sell forum???
Anyway, this isn't intended to offend, just stating my views.
Will pay $$$ for:
caching ISA I/O-IDE controller
PM me for my list of trade-ables...