Tips for SAFE TRADING
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 1:47 pm
It looks as if our friend in Richmond has been at it again. And succeeded.
Here are some tips we all can use to help prevent this happening in the future:
-- Practice extreme caution when trading with any member without several trade references.
-- Verify trade references are with real board members. Consider PMing the members to verify the trades took place.
-- Don't ship first if the references are not 100% airtight.
-- Don't ship first if you have any concerns.
-- Don't be afraid to ask for personal information. If you are sending items of value, you are entitled to it. Do not accept excuses.
-- Consider asking for a photo of the trader's driver's license, possibly in the same frame as the items they are offering.
-- Get a home or work phone number. Call. Verify the number matches the name and address. Again, don't accept excuses.
-- Use tracking numbers, but remember that they won't help you if you are cheated (except using PayPal-see below).
-- Remember there's no safety net on here. The police aren't interested, especially if no money changed hands. The admins can't help once you've sent money or items. Period. All they can do is ban all trades, and I don't think we want that, so don't harass them to do the impossible.
-- If trading with anyone in Indiana or nearby parts of Ohio, triple your caution. DO NOT SEND FIRST TO ANYONE IN THAT AREA. Again, don't take excuses.
-- If the trader pays you with an echeck through PayPal, wait for the echeck to clear. This may take several days. Richmond guy has tried the echeck trick too.
-- If paid by PayPal, ship with a tracking number.
-- If you think you may have been cheated, post a warning on the board.
Here are some tips we all can use to help prevent this happening in the future:
-- Practice extreme caution when trading with any member without several trade references.
-- Verify trade references are with real board members. Consider PMing the members to verify the trades took place.
-- Don't ship first if the references are not 100% airtight.
-- Don't ship first if you have any concerns.
-- Don't be afraid to ask for personal information. If you are sending items of value, you are entitled to it. Do not accept excuses.
-- Consider asking for a photo of the trader's driver's license, possibly in the same frame as the items they are offering.
-- Get a home or work phone number. Call. Verify the number matches the name and address. Again, don't accept excuses.
-- Use tracking numbers, but remember that they won't help you if you are cheated (except using PayPal-see below).
-- Remember there's no safety net on here. The police aren't interested, especially if no money changed hands. The admins can't help once you've sent money or items. Period. All they can do is ban all trades, and I don't think we want that, so don't harass them to do the impossible.
-- If trading with anyone in Indiana or nearby parts of Ohio, triple your caution. DO NOT SEND FIRST TO ANYONE IN THAT AREA. Again, don't take excuses.
-- If the trader pays you with an echeck through PayPal, wait for the echeck to clear. This may take several days. Richmond guy has tried the echeck trick too.
-- If paid by PayPal, ship with a tracking number.
-- If you think you may have been cheated, post a warning on the board.