I'd be quite supportive if MMD would choose to operate an auction
service, but how would that solve the problem of scammers and fraud?
Is there some mechanism that prevents scammers from joining MMD,
and buying or listing items here?  Does anyone really know that MMD's
next subscriber will be who they claim to be?

It seems to me that if MMD becomes auction-oriented, the scammers will
find us. And, unfortunately, try to scam us.  Possible solutions:

1) fees or deposits for all participants?
2) escrow services?
3) only registered, validated participants?

All of these have their drawbacks, in my opinion.

I have a web site Buy/Sell/Trade page which is devoted to mechanical
music:  http://www.rollerorgans.com/Roller_Organ_Buying.htm
Although it's perhaps smaller than MMD (having 1,000 web hits per
month and a mail list of about 100), I can almost guarantee that any
new listing there will receive bogus offers by scammers.  I've also had
several scammers attempt to list items(?) for sale, until other readers
kindly pointed them out to me.  Unfortunately I have no way of knowing
the validity of either buyer or seller.

It's a pain.  Suggestions are welcome.

Todd Augsburger - Roller Organs
http://www.rollerorgans.com/