From Tim Hendel, Huntsville, AL:

In response to the July editorial, I have been reading Special Notices for many years and have occasionally bought or sold something through this section. I have never at any time been cheated, defrauded or mistreated by any reader whom I contacted. I would urge everyone to try to represent the condition of something being sold as accurately as possible. But when this is not done, it may not be the fault of the person placing the notice. Perhaps someone has died, and a spouse or relative is trying to dispose of items left behind. The person placing the notice may have an incomplete understanding of how the item is supposed to work. If a buyer has concerns, they should be discussed before the transaction is complete.

To those who say that sellers ask too high a price: I would say that when a price seems too high, I simply do not attempt to purchase the item. That same price may be just right for someone else, who either has more money or values the item more than I do.

I am concerned about the practice, which now seems to be more common, of people selling valuable items that may be worth several hundred dollars, and supplying only a first name and an e-mail address. I always use my full name, city and state. I think this gives me more credibility, especially if the item I wish to sell is costly.