How NOT to get scammed (ideas, some common sense)
 

Please contribute.

1. BUY & SELL LOCALLY if possible, you can see the product in person.

2. Contact the Community Organizer or post in the regional forum and see if the local people know the seller. If they know where he lives, even better.

3. If seller has very few posts, find reputable members who know him and his address.

4. Get seller's home phone number and verify it by calling. A phone number is better than nothing.

5. Do hw on the person, search his/her posts.

6. If you're selling and have many people interested, sell it to someone who is a member rather than a guest (a cc# is required and a trace is better than being left in the dark)

7. If skeptical, have the seller take a picture of the item with his/her username, date, and time. I know of a forum that requires this.
7a. If skeptical, don't buy. :)

8. If you're selling, make sure the check, money order, or paypal is cleared into your account before shipping (DUH)

9. Use Common Sense, if the price is too good to be true .... cmon now.

10. Pay with a credit card if going through paypal. Paypal does not help as much as a credit card company will.

Be very careful when dealing with a guest, especially one that contacts you to buy from or trade. Do some research, check their post history and if they are active in their local community. The forum has very little info on guests, seller beware.

Well said Anuj. :thumbup:

:iagree: this should be stickied :thumbup:

I agree with 2&5. :)



#2 atleast you know the person has a good standing with his/her community.



#5 make sure you check atleast 500 of the past post on the user before buying. people tend to post about the item when something is wrong with it, or if it's authentic, etc, etc...

I'd also like to add, if you're worried about the person editing it saying he sold you no such part, just quote the original post every time you buy something. just an idea.

:tipwink: Some very good Ideas! :thumbup:

:thumbup:

Does s2ki have the framework to allow a seller-rep system? I've seen this on other forums and it makes a lot of sense. A link located under their avatar allows potential buyers to see successful sales and comments.

:iagree: Excellent thread. :thumbup:

:iagree: :iagree: seen it in many other forms.. check it...


http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...d.php?t=136659

This is a pm from one buyer. SOUNDS REAAAAAL SCAMMY

can i western unnion you the money, as my through my paypal it takes 5 days for the money to be sent out and id like it quicker.
i would need your full name, city, phone numebr and the closest western union tp you
my name is ---------, from ----------, ont canada,
thanks
----------


He is a 3 star member but the minute he said that, i got sketched out and decided to sell to him.