Tips for a safer b/s/t transaction and what to do after you get scammed
I see a ton of "For Sale" and "Want to buy" posts in the B/S/T and haven't seen any tips for safe transactions so I thought i'd start up a list. If there is another thread similar to this I have not found it and mods should merge my info to the appropriate area. I am a cellular phone freak and deal on forums just like this one (been ripped off a few times too).
Here are tips for safer transactions:
1. Avoid deals in which shipping is needed. If possible, use face-to-face transactions and inspect the product carefully.
2. Be wary of sellers with absolutely no feedback and a low post count. Yaya everyone starts out with no feedback at first, but this is the great way to avoid getting scammed.
3. DO NOT send out any items until you've been paid, unless you are selling to another reputable seller.
4. If the deal is "too good to be true", it's probably a scam.
5. Pay using paypal with credit card. Do not use a bank funds for paypal and do not use funds already in paypal. This way if you are scammed you can file a report to paypal AND you can also file a report to your credit card company. Make sure both parties are VERIFIED AND HAVE CONFIRMED ADDRESSES.
6. DO NOT use Western Union. In my opinion, this is the worst way to pay. WU offers no protection against fraud. You do not need ID to make a payment or to receive payment using WU. Very bad...I've been ripped this way before.
7. Get full contact info from the other party. Address, name, HOME phone. Cell phone numbers can be easily discarded (remember i am a cell phone fanatic), especially "PAYASYOUGO" cell phones which do not need proper ID to activate. Do a reverse look up of the person's contact to make sure it is correct.
www.411.com or www.411.ca if you have to...call the person's home phone to verify. A few dollars for long distance call is better than losing hundreds of dollars of pb equipment.
8. Check the feedback thread and check the theft thread. Be wary though, feedback can be easily faked which is why tip#7 is so important. Also be wary of people posting feedback to other place such as ebay, heatware, or other forums. Be sure to check these out by messaging them from these forums. I seen scammers use legit ebay seller's names and quote their feedbacks.
9. Use the feedback. If someone has ripped you off let the PBF community know.
10. DO NOT ship using the cheapest method of shipping. This method usually does not include insurance, tracking, delivery confirmation. If using USPS use the priority method or first class. If using Canada Post use Xpress post shipping. Make sure you have delivery confirmation or signature or some way to track package. Also, priority and first class shipments are guaranteed to arrive within USA in 1-3 days. Xpress post shipments are guarantee to arrive within Canada in 2 days.
11. Trading is dangerous, if possible DO NOT TRADE. If you must, either use Tip10 or use a cash medium. IOW, person A pays for person B's item. Transaction completes. Person B uses same money pays for Person A's item. 2nd transaction completes.
12. Finally keep a record/log of all conversations. Keep emails, PM's, log your msn/icq/im conversations, RECORD YOUR PHONE CONVERSATIONS if you have to. Keep a record of all receipts ie. paypal receipt for payment, waybill and receipt as proof of shipping. RECORD THE TRACKING NUMBER of your parcel.
I see a ton of "For Sale" and "Want to buy" posts in the B/S/T and haven't seen any tips for safe transactions so I thought i'd start up a list. If there is another thread similar to this I have not found it and mods should merge my info to the appropriate area. I am a cellular phone freak and deal on forums just like this one (been ripped off a few times too).
Here are tips for safer transactions:
1. Avoid deals in which shipping is needed. If possible, use face-to-face transactions and inspect the product carefully.
2. Be wary of sellers with absolutely no feedback and a low post count. Yaya everyone starts out with no feedback at first, but this is the great way to avoid getting scammed.
3. DO NOT send out any items until you've been paid, unless you are selling to another reputable seller.
4. If the deal is "too good to be true", it's probably a scam.
5. Pay using paypal with credit card. Do not use a bank funds for paypal and do not use funds already in paypal. This way if you are scammed you can file a report to paypal AND you can also file a report to your credit card company. Make sure both parties are VERIFIED AND HAVE CONFIRMED ADDRESSES.
6. DO NOT use Western Union. In my opinion, this is the worst way to pay. WU offers no protection against fraud. You do not need ID to make a payment or to receive payment using WU. Very bad...I've been ripped this way before.
7. Get full contact info from the other party. Address, name, HOME phone. Cell phone numbers can be easily discarded (remember i am a cell phone fanatic), especially "PAYASYOUGO" cell phones which do not need proper ID to activate. Do a reverse look up of the person's contact to make sure it is correct.
www.411.com or www.411.ca if you have to...call the person's home phone to verify. A few dollars for long distance call is better than losing hundreds of dollars of pb equipment.
8. Check the feedback thread and check the theft thread. Be wary though, feedback can be easily faked which is why tip#7 is so important. Also be wary of people posting feedback to other place such as ebay, heatware, or other forums. Be sure to check these out by messaging them from these forums. I seen scammers use legit ebay seller's names and quote their feedbacks.
9. Use the feedback. If someone has ripped you off let the PBF community know.
10. DO NOT ship using the cheapest method of shipping. This method usually does not include insurance, tracking, delivery confirmation. If using USPS use the priority method or first class. If using Canada Post use Xpress post shipping. Make sure you have delivery confirmation or signature or some way to track package. Also, priority and first class shipments are guaranteed to arrive within USA in 1-3 days. Xpress post shipments are guarantee to arrive within Canada in 2 days.
11. Trading is dangerous, if possible DO NOT TRADE. If you must, either use Tip10 or use a cash medium. IOW, person A pays for person B's item. Transaction completes. Person B uses same money pays for Person A's item. 2nd transaction completes.
12. Finally keep a record/log of all conversations. Keep emails, PM's, log your msn/icq/im conversations, RECORD YOUR PHONE CONVERSATIONS if you have to. Keep a record of all receipts ie. paypal receipt for payment, waybill and receipt as proof of shipping. RECORD THE TRACKING NUMBER of your parcel.