Buyer Beware - Classifieds

[peter halle]

This may sound like a broken record at this point in time, but please be careful if you use the Classified listings for the purchase of products. It remains the number one complaint area of the forum and the number of questionable posts remains high in comparison to the total number of posts overall on the forum. Scammers are getting more creative.

Remember that we do not get involved in transactions and using that area for the sale or purchase of goods is entirely at your own risk.

P. Halle - Moderator

 

[waho6o9]

Good reminder.

 

[Packard]

What type of issues are most common? Payment? Quality? Description accuracy? Other? It is helpful if we know what to watch for.

 

[peter halle]

Offering something for sale with images that were stolen from elsewhere - in other words attempting to sell something that doesn't exist. Offering something for sale and then requesting a member name change so it appears to be someone else.

Peter

 

[luvmytoolz]

On the woodwork forum in OZ we used to get a lot of people creating a username almost identical to a seller there who was offering stuff for sale, and they would respond via private message with bank deposit details directly to the person buying something off them pretending they were the seller.

Luckily I don't think anyone actually lost anything, but these scumbags really are sly.

The old adage of if it looks too good to be true, it usually is still applies, but you also have to be really careful that the person you're dealing with is who you think they are.

 

[Packard]

Offering something for sale with images that were stolen from elsewhere - in other words attempting to sell something that doesn't exist. Offering something for sale and then requesting a member name change so it appears to be someone else.

Peter

Thanks. These are not members that are scamming. Are we OK if we only deal with members who post regularly?

 

[Muttley000]

Thanks. These are not members that are scamming. Are we OK if we only deal with members who post regularly?

This has been the rule I have followed, and in doing so I am 3 for 3 as excellent transactions!

 

[Alex]

Thanks. These are not members that are scamming. Are we OK if we only deal with members who post regularly?

not a bad advice to follow.
But I don't think as a rule it is sufficient. Since I discovered the ignore function last week, I already have one member who's posting whom I suspect to be a bot and another potential candidate.

 

[peter halle]

Thanks. These are not members that are scamming. Are we OK if we only deal with members who post regularly?

I have purchased in the past from Members here I "knew" thru their numerous posts with great transactions. I personally wouldn't purchase from someone who popped up with only 1 post and that being the ad itself. But it would be wrong for me to effectively label everyone who has a similar situation with only one post as a potential scammer so all I can do is remind Members to be careful.

Peter

 

[Packard]

Perhaps we have a “vetting” thread. The buyer posts the details of the proposed transaction, and the other members comment prior to the actual transaction.

In that thread, the proposed buyer includes a link to the for sale ad.

“That looks like a good deal, but that isn’t Mike’s email address”. For example.

 

[semenza]

Perhaps we have a “vetting” thread. The buyer posts the details of the proposed transaction, and the other members comment prior to the actual transaction.

In that thread, the proposed buyer includes a link to the for sale ad.

“That looks like a good deal, but that isn’t Mike’s email address”. For example.

NO, just no. Nothing but a ton of issues in that.


Seth

 

[Packard]

NO, just no. Nothing but a ton of issues in that.


Seth

OK. But warning that something is a problem while all the while not suggesting a solution to that problem, is a problem. Some other solution?

 

[Cheese]

I believe some forums stipulate that a "member" must have a minimum number of posts before that person has the privilege of posting an ad. I don't think that's a very onerous rule to establish.

And I say that because I've refused to sell to or purchase from someone that doesn't have some "reasonable" number of posts. And folks that I've purchased items from say the same thing so in some ways, that minimum post rule already exists, it's just the number of posts hasn't been defined.

 

[4nthony]

Escrow services are a great way to ensure both parties are protected. There are pros and cons, but it's a good way to weed out suspicious sellers. Though, I'm sure suspicious buyers could still game the system.

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[Vtshopdog]

I believe some forums stipulate that a "member" must have a minimum number of posts before that person has the privilege of posting an ad. I don't think that's a very onerous rule to establish.

And I say that because I've refused to sell to or purchase from someone that doesn't have some "reasonable" number of posts. And folks that I've purchased items from say the same thing so in some ways, that minimum post rule already exists, it's just the number of posts hasn't been defined.

I'm on automotive forum that has this rule, read a lot there but I seldom post. It make sense, but in my case the bar was too high, (50 posts to list items)

Maybe a combination of number of posts and/or membership duration??

 

[usernumber1]

i wouldn't trust that enough. 50 posts is not unreasonable to be a member of a community that you want to sell your items to

what is the reasoning we can't reply to ads? I would like to vet some replies publicly, like no pictures, no price, no history and see how real this person is through their replies that everyone can judge

 

[Cheese]

What is the reasoning we can't reply to ads? I would like to vet some replies publicly, like no pictures, no price, no history and see how real this person is through their replies that everyone can judge

I really this suggestion.

I'll look at a For Sale posting and invariably the poster will not have his/her country in the avatar or in the advertisement.
So before any sale can proceed further, I'm forced to PM the poster just to find out how much the shipping will be. It'd be soooo much easier just to ask the poster front & center.
Other pet peeves that could be easily solved if a reply could be added to For Sale posting
Missing prices
Fuzzy photos
Is this a new or used item...

 

[luvmytoolz]

If I don't "know" the forum member selling something, postage isn't an option as far as I'm concerned, only pickup and cash in person will be considered.

The other issue not mentioned here that we've had on the woodworks forum a few times, is hacked accounts. This makes it even more difficult. There most have relied upon the syntax and grammar being different to the norm if the account is known.

I think you just always have to be a suspicious of anything online.

 

[peter halle]

What was / is the reasoning behind not having the ability to reply to a Classified Listing in public? It was set up this way in response to the negativity shown in the classified threads when responses were allowed.

Peter

 

[Vondawg]

Well …..for example …my favorite router (so Im always watching)…2200 in the classifieds now…no price no pictures ( for security reasons ??) and …
TWO posts…you in ?