It seems like the only way to avoid this in the future is to use a trusted third party to hold everything in escrow and make sure everything is as represented.

Didn't there used to be .com's that would do this for you? Though the one I actualy heard of just required you had proof that you'd shipped anything to the address the money came from... The other option is a trusted member of this board, but that's a lot to ask of someone.

Matthew