hi , this is just a couple of pointers in buying pc games - the first thing to do is ask questions IF you cant see the information you need to make an INFORMED purchase ......

REMEMBER , games were designed for a lot of different operating systems . DOS . windows 95 & 98 , ME , xp AND NOW , Vista .

one thing that PC games DO have an advantage in over console products is theres only very very rarely a regional issue , PC games work worldwide ,theyre not pal or ntsc ,not region1 ,2,3,  my game will work as well in Australia as Alaska

ask if the guy knows if its suitable for YOUR operating system .(please tell him what you're running , he cant guess your spec or O/S )

COUNTERFEIT GAMES - look at the picture - is it a 'REAL ' one or just a cover pic - has he put a scene from the game there rather than the ACTUAL game , if theres a picture , is there a manual on show - ALL of these are good pointers to A GENUINE PC GAME FOR SALE .

READ his feedback , look at his rating , PERSONALLY ,id  trust a person with 98% over a 100 trades more that a guy with 100% over 10 ,hes had more experience and you can be fiddled by feedback too , if your buying , look at his selling feedback , NOT OVERALL .

People can get a pretty instant rating buying 1p wallpapers in a day or so - you want to deal with real sellers selling REAL things .

USE established sellers ,LIKE POWERSELLERS , they HAVE to be GOOD to achieve that status  THEY HAVE to MAINTAIN a 98% positive feedback rating to REMAIN a POWERSELLER

CHECK , if it needs a SERIAL CODE ,(MOST DO NOW)

CHECK if it needs an account login and PASSWORD

( games like HALF LIFE 2 , BATTLEFIELD 2142,  WORLD OF WARCRAFT , GUILD WARS all do )

Most will give you the info you need BEFORE you ask for it , BUT IT NEVER HURT TO ASK A QUESTION ........

LIKE , is this a GENUINE retail game , not an import , or a copy .has it a serial code , a manual , DAMAGE TO THE DISCS ........

I hope this guide is of some use to you , if you follow all these rules ,its highly UNLIKELY youll ever get stitched up by someone

cheers, 

COCKNEYDEVIL