Sadly, I was taken

I also encourage folks to look at trade feedback as a guide.  That is a valuable bit of info.

yep, that's why we have it.

I'd encourage everyone to use the trade feedback when a transaction is completed.

I now received a DENIED claim from PayPal on the dispute that I opened last night.  They certainly acted fast to tell me I SOL.   When I asked for information on the criminal I was of course denied any information since they must protect his privacy.  In advance I humbly ask that no one lecture on PayPal's legal position, just venting.

have you contacted your bank/credit card used to pay for the purchase? also, have you contacted your local authorities?

I was going to mention your credit card company as well. For instance, American Express will often just work with you depending upon how much money is involved. But if they do an "investigation" and you tell them the purchase went through F&F, they may also reject your claim since that would have been your first line of defense. Your situation is interesting in its timing in that I also made arrangements with a vendor on another site. He said all I had to pay was shipping and asked that I use F&F so he doesn't have to pay the fees. Since he was sending the item for free other than paying for shipping, I hesitated at first and then decided that he was such a prolific individual on the forum that it would be against his interest to mess with me. For my troubles I have now received a tracking number it indicates that there is a package on its way to me. This is not meant to make you feel bad. It's just a coincidence and it is still possible that when the package gets to me, there isn't anything in it. Or it never makes it to me at all. But in my case I'm only out $10 plus a little over $5 in fees. When I saw how much the fee was I realized why he had asked me to use F&F. And checking the tracking again it seems to be in NYC. Anyway, hopefully this guy is found out. The best would be for someone to beat him at his own game. Hey, it can happen.

"The best would be for someone to beat him senseless  Hey, it can happen."

I hope so.

I now received a DENIED claim from PayPal on the dispute that I opened last night.  They certainly acted fast to tell me I SOL.   When I asked for information on the criminal I was of course denied any information since they must protect his privacy.  In advance I humbly ask that no one lecture on PayPal's legal position, just venting.

have you contacted your bank/credit card used to pay for the purchase?  also, have you contacted your local authorities?

I was going to mention your credit card company as well.  For instance, American Express will often just work with you depending upon how much money is involved.  But if they do an "investigation" and you tell them the purchase went through F&F, they may also reject your claim since that would have been your first line of defense.  Your situation is interesting in its timing in that I also made arrangements with a vendor on another site.  He said all I had to pay was shipping and asked that I use F&F so he doesn't have to pay the fees.  Since he was sending the item for free other than paying for shipping, I hesitated at first and then decided that he was such a prolific individual on the forum that it would be against his interest to mess with me.  For my troubles I have now received a tracking number it indicates that there is a package on its way to me.  This is not meant to make you feel bad.  It's just a coincidence and it is still possible that when the package gets to me, there isn't anything in it.  Or it never makes it to me at all.  But in my case I'm only out $10 plus a little over $5 in fees.  When I saw how much the fee was I realized why he had asked me to use F&F.  And checking the tracking again it seems to be in NYC.  Anyway, hopefully this guy is found out.  The best would be for someone to beat him at his own game.  Hey, it can happen.

MntnMan62, while it looks like you are dealing with someone who is honest, rather than take a chance, why not simply offer him a couple of extra bucks to cover his fee but go through PayPal's regular channels.  That way, he gets enough to cover his fees and you remain protected.  According to what is in color, below, the seller asking $10.00 would take home $9.41.  By asking just $1.00 more he would clear about $10.38 without going through Friends & Family and that way both of you are protected.

PayPal Seller Fees

If you are a merchant or business that uses PayPal to accept payments from your customers and clients, then PayPal takes 2.9 percent of the payment plus 30 cents per transaction before putting the money in your account. This fee is only on the business side of the transaction; the customer isn't charged anything.

A couple of weeks ago there was a BST Post selling a Wolfman WR1 for $550 (Pretty much 'standard street price' on DFS).
To me these were the 'RED FLAGS" on the Post: Recent member, located in France, NO Feedback, wanted PayPal F&F. These red flags were MORE than enough for me to 'Take a definite PASS!! I don't know IF this was the same Post referenced by the OP, but it might have been.

BTW: A few days after the aforementioned BST Post I was able to purchase a Brass WR1 for $550 (W/Standard Business PayPal with fees for payment) from a long standing/long time DFS member with great Feedback, AND I have had several meaningful PMs and purchases with this member in the past. AND, Bottom Line, I have had the wonderful WR1 in my possession for over a week!

Jay, not the same post. He contacted me from a post I initiated several months ago looking for a .86 SB. It seems that ,86's are a rarer bird and throwing caution to the wind I enriched a crook.

Yes, after re-reading the opening Posts, I saw that the time frame, as well, as other factors were different.

The main intent of my post was to show what I look for when considering ANY purchase on a shaving BST, especially one that involves a large amount of money.

I was initially (a couple of years ago) skeptical about NOT doing Friends and Family transactions, BUT, as I saw more and more scams (and even potential scams) becoming more common place, I have made it 'My Policy" to only do F&F PayPal with VERY close friends and family. This policy also applies to NON-shaving purchases and purchases in general.
The term (as you said in the opening post): When in doubt, DON'T ... really applies to a LOT of things (even IF there is a possibility that it may be a legitimate Post or transaction).

Jay, where were you a week ago? (Kidding.) I posted my stupidity as a cautionary tale and what is particularly annoying is that I knew this was a bad idea, but did it anyway because I really wanted the razor. Apparently I'm 60 going on 12.

This is a sad story which I first heard of on my own home forum here in the U.K Against The Grain. I really feel for you, we are naturally trusting folk in the shaving world. So many transactions happen with no drama that when something like this happens it really stings us all. I have bought and sold lots of things and I always have used PP Friends and Family not unlike yourself, I have never given the honesty of the seller a second thought. This has made me totally re think my strategy and will never offer for sale or buy an expensive item without offering or getting my money protected.
It's easy to say this after the Horse has bolted so to speak. I applaud you for bringing this to our attention, it must be a little painful for you but you have done a good thing to remind everyone that not all sellers are reputable and the odd criminal will slip in. Lets hope this scum gets his in the future. A story to heed for everyone.

heard back from my friend who opened an internal ticket. basically, it seems like those who waived the paypal protection by paying as friends & family are on their own.

I'd suggest contacting your local authorities or a lawyer to see if anything can be done...if anyone proceeds and needs data, tell the authorities or lawyer to contact me.