I create a prop within poser. Parent the prop to a figure body part. After this point the prop shifts to actually be behind the body part, not on it... I'm sure there is a simple explaination for this...I'm just not able to figure it out yet. Help would be great. thanks.

Yea it dose this nothing realy big after it move move it back into place and the save this as the new prop and click ok for smart parent

ermmmm.... cough you are parenting to the correct side right? I.e. .. a prop on the left forearm isn't being parented to the right forearm.. that'll also do the bounce it behind.. and from figure to figure there can be a few origon issues.. but those are usually Y or X axis 8 ) CHeers

When I parent I usually set the figure to no pose by bringing up the joint parameter dialog and clicking Zero Figure. That eliminates any odd offsets. Some props just shift around and you have to reposition, especially if you use Bend With Parent.