How to buy used gear (and not get burned)

Don't get burned! Photography gear is pricey, and buying used is a great way to keep your wallet from getting too thin, but it also comes with quite a few risks. The high price associated with photo gear sometimes attracts unsavory folks disguising themselves as reputable sellers as a means to part you from your hard earned cash. Thankfully, it's pretty easy to avoid this from happening. I've been buying gear on a budget for thirteen years now, mostly via eBay and Craigslist,...