So how do you expect anyone to purchase from a site like this without sending money in advance by some means?
Well, there's a couple of ways. Go to the person's house and collect is the best route I've found. Although this is inconvenient, I'd always ask to do this first up. If they say no way, EVER then don't deal - there's clearly no trust.
Secondly would be not using the 'gift' option on Paypal. Because you're not sending the gift of free cash in exchange for nothing, you're sending money for services. If they ask for that, don't deal - you're both using a service, it's not being provided for free, someone has to pay, or you won't benefit from the service Paypal have made a business out of. Likewise for bank transfers - don't do it, you're not protected. You may as well send money to Nigeria instead.
What your post effectively says is don’t buy anything from anyone on the internet who cannot accept visa or you might be scammed. If you really live life with that little risk you must be very bored.
Quite the opposite - I first met DannyP and Chuff through trading. Just as well, as the seats I thought would fit in Chuff's Golf, didn't. He didn't buy them, wasn't disappointed and became someone who I now know as a mate - that was as a direct contact with him, but an unsuccessful sale. Forums are social engagement first and foremost, somewhere for
friends and known associates to trade second. Go into a transaction on here on this basis and you're much less likely to get screwed, otherwise use known, protected environments to trade, even if it costs a bit more - you're buying protection.
If you can't buy face to face then take measures to ensure you're buying securely. It really is that simple. If someone comes out with any form of excuse not to trade with you in the way you want - walk away. There will always be other sh*t for you to buy, but you'll only ever earn the money you're proposing to spend once and that is why it hurts getting scammed.