Whats the best way to buy from a private seller?

-I wanna buy something from someone ive never formally met. If I cannot do the transaction through ebay whats the most secure way to do it so that if I do not get the product I can get my money back or ensure an honest transaction?The only sure way is to meet the seller face to face. You can then examine the goods and, if you are happy, pay the seller with cash. Any other way, you are both relying on trust, the seller that your cheque or whatever, is straight and you, as the buyer, that the goods are as described and everything is as it should be.