Proof of item

When buying a item from a ) or low low number feedback auction, especially if the item is a scanned image, not a real home digital image, ask for a "proof" digital image, with a hand written note of "your own words" lying on top of the item. This is especially important when it's a high dollar item. I have done this several times, and those that do not shoot a picture with the note, have all turned out to be fake. I did acquire a Drager LAR-V re-breather from a gentleman with a very low number feedback. His history was in buying silver, so having a Drager LAR-V re-breather for 2.5K was a warning flag which prompted me to ask for photo proof, serial numbers. I put that guy thru the paces, with only paying 500.00 to send the Seals counter weight BC from the Drager LAR-V first. When that item arrived and with the images from what I requested and the hand written note on the unit in my words in a image, I sent the 2K. LAR-V arrived safely, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Sometimes you have to push to get results, and never back down to the scammers, right off the bat, ask for PROOF. Smell a rat, out them.