I used localbitcoins.com
which was a link i got from the Newbie FAQ on this forum :0)

it was very painless.
I setup an account.
Picked someone with a good rep and the same bank as me
tranferrred them money, waited about an hour.
got bitcoins in my localbitcoins wallet
then i sent them from there to my computer wallet.

one thing i have noticed which doesn't jump out at you is transferring bitcoins is not instant.
mine took about 3 hours to confirm.
You can pay a fee (it's under settings, main, Pay transaction Fee) and then it goes much faster but if i wanted to pay banking fees i'd just use a bank.

who gets those transaction fees anyway?

Buying is legit. Selling is a NIGHTMARE.

I believed you did it correctly, because you risked money.  So your feedback with him would include what you risked.  He's the one that took no risk with you and was incorrect.  He already had cash in hand before he sent anything.