Kathy - I agree with you on most points. I pay by, and accept, checks - so far no problems.
Checking feedback, and if necessary e-mailing the feedback giver for clarification if very necessary when dealing on auction sites. However - and I stress this - don't just check the numbers. Take the time to go through the feedback. Nuturals can really be positives - and the giver has left the auction site, turning their positive into a nutural. Some negitives are not warented (I have one, replied and e-mailed him [with a copy to the auction site] - the bidder thought the item should show up at his house the next day!). He was removed from the site by the company!
Also - a lot of us have experience with the sellers - don't hesitate to e-mail (not public) if you have any questions.
Most importantly - trust your instents - if you "feel" something isn't quite right, it probably isn't.