Getting scammed!

There have been a few lately.

While it is not this site's responsibility, IMHO, they provided excellent tips.

Tips for Buyers:

• Know what you are buying!
• Ask for detailed pictures, recently taken, and with as much identifying information as possible.
• Verify any contact information (besides just an email).
• Know the value and condition before claiming an item.
• Ask for an inspection period particularly if it's an expensive item.
• Insist on trackable payments/shipping to verify where items are.
• Use secure payment methods, Paypal, credit cards if possible.
• Check to see if the user has any feedback ratings at the top of the thread posting.
• Unless payment has been made, the item is not "claimed".
• You can get a pretty good sense of someone's character on the phone.
• Use our Buyers And Sellers Feedback forum - here.

Tips for Sellers:

• Include clear photos detailing condition and showing brand, model numbers, etc.
• Never send an item without receiving a cleared payment.
• Ensure your item travels well, so pack it up appropriately.
• Get tracking on your shipment, and provide it to the buyer asap.
• Always include shipping insurance in your posting.
• Check to see if the user has any feedback ratings at the top of the thread posting.
• Unless payment has been made, the item is not "claimed".
• You can get a pretty good sense of someone's character on the phone.
• Use our Buyers And Sellers Feedback forum - here.
• Let users know if you are posting your listing on multiple sites.

Vet the buyer/seller prior to deal. If the address is a vacant lot, industrial site etc, pretty good indicator scammer. I've had good luck using True People Search and its free.


You can also use Google Lens to search with the photo of the item to check if already posted on other sites under different ID's.

I would add to the list for buyers. Do a video call with the seller holding the item and do a screenshot of the seller if the amount at issue is more than you're willing to lose!

NOPE for me,,(selling to me that is );;;still use flip phone and your shipping to my business,,,prelabels sometimes a issue...

This is why I don't trust people....and my dog is pretty sketchy too

Doesn't it make it terrible for all the honest ones of us, though. We'd rather give something up freely than take it wrongfully.
The old adage about 2% screwing it up for the 98.

It seems like most of the threads I have seen that people have been scammed just Willy Nilly it and don't use good judgement. I've dealt with quite a few members that didn't even know that there is buyer/seller feedback. Some members don't have enough posts and freely post their phone number or email since they can't PM.
The scammers are upping their game so it's up to us to up ours in weeding them out.

This is why I don't trust people.