Never buy or date anyone or thing, Sight unseen. Too many predators on the internet.

Online relationships, in my experience, form because the anonymity helps buffer the fear of the spineless and sick. When you're too scared to do it in real life, do it online! If it goes south, you can just disappear and become someone else. The Interweb is not a good place to seek a relationship because of the legions of lonely, repressed, awkward masses, too afraid to do anything but shiver and wallow in fear.

The inability to find anyone that fits complicated criteria in one's locality probably promotes internet relationships. You might not be able to find someone in your age group, who lives close, who is attractive to you, who is attracted TO you, who shares interests and values, who has time to date. On the internet, groups based on combinations of this criterion are preexisting, so you can find them easier. It's also much easier to approach and open up to someone in text based communication. Inhibitions are considerably lower on the internet which promotes personal information exchange. The broad spread of people on the internet makes it a GREAT place to seek a relationship. The probability of finding someone who fits your exact specifications for "the perfect mate" is much higher here. There are many more people than you can possibly meet in your locale and searching for the kind you want is much easier. There are people who express a concern for safety when meeting mates on the internet. Such concerns are legitimate, but if precautions are taken, it can be a powerful tool to help pair people with common interests, attraction, goals and lifestyles.

Inability to find anyone locally? Absolutly not always the case. When I met Jimmy online, I had several guys who were interested in me locally. I didn't have a thing in common with them and I wasn't the least bit interested in them. It didn't mean I was fat, lonely or desperate or a failure! Not everyone lives in a city the size of Chicago or LA even if a person does live in a big city, they can have a job with long hours or other reasons that can keep them from going out to meet others. Online you don't have to be out somewhere, you can get to know alot about someone by communicating online. Yes there are PRECAUTIONS to take! It only takes some COMMON SENSE to stay safe.