My take on this:
I tend to trust most people. However, I never bet a game or set without posting the cash. It's like an unspoken rule when I was playing. No air barrels get fired, and anyone can leave whenever they want. That's pro poker, too.
As for cue-makers, ONE big deposit, and ONE late deadline gets your name tarnished. Maybe it was legit, maybe not. I tend to question anything like this, especially when they won't contact you before a problem comes up. A maker has his reputation. That's ALL he has for coin in the realm. The pool circles are remarkably small. I like the way Ted Harris does it. He's gone a lot, and his customers don't mind a delay or two, BECAUSE he's not holding their dough. The ones that demand a huge deposit, and then many delays, have about ruined their reputation, IMHO>
I do it both ways. However, if a guy doesn't have a great rep, and wants a big deposit, I usually pass. Life is too short. Sure, you can protect yourself through escrow, and a PP dispute, but why mess with that? There are other makers, just as good.
Of course, some buyers are flaky, too. But they don't have any leverage. They don't send money good, they don't get their stuff. If it's not too unique, it can still be sold, often for a better price anyway. I always get an estimated finish, and a date certain a month or so later. That's all my patience will allow.
I think revealing good transactions are great stuff for this forum, and I read it all. And I pass it on to those that ask me about a maker. One bad transaction can get you out of business, pretty fast.
There's a guy on ebay that was selling a cue I've wanted for years. However, his negs said often times he wouldn't complete, because he didn't get a good enough price. He COULD have set a reserve, but tried to play cute. I would have bid $100 more than the winning bid, except for those 3 negs. I told him so, too. FWIW and your YMMV.
