It looks like this specific problem is working itself out, but in a general sense and in response to the OP...

I have moderated a very large vehicle specific forum for about 12 years and I can say with 100% certainty that while a forum is a good place for information ANYBODY CAN JOIN. Any advice should be verified. Buying things from people who must be good folks because they are on the forum will eventually lead to getting ripped off. Many of us will go to great lengths to preserve our forum reputation, but many don't care about their standing in our virtual community. They can just get another username and continue on.

Some of the best people I've ever met have been on forums, but being on a forum doesn't mean anything as to your expertise or moral code. Everything should be taken with some skepticism.

And it should go without saying that F6Phantom or Steve are in no way responsible for bad tech advise or poor business dealings with forum members.