Don't go down any dark alleys!

I was reading one of the more obvious tips on one of my favourite money websites - they say that it's not too late to sell something to get a bit of spare cash for Christmas. The quickest way is probably to put it onto one of the big auction websites. But seller and buyer beware - there are safety tips you should remember!

It reminded me of the time I got a bit carried away (not having done my eBay homework correctly) and bid on three baby grand pianos. I fancied one as a birthday pressie to myself.

But obviously, I had to go and see these pianos first before I forked out. Two were from dealers. No problem, they had shops to go see. But one was a private sale at a remote farmhouse in deepest darkest Oxfordshire. I found myself driving, and then walking down a dark country lane, and knocking on a door being answered by an unknown man.

I was on my own, utterly defenceless, in the middle of nowhere. Loved the piano. Man was a respectable human being. But I shook all the way home at my silliness for putting myself in such a vulnerable position.

If you're going to buy or flog something on an auction website in the next few weeks, then be sensible about picking things up in person, or inviting strangers to your house to view items for sale.