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How to avoid getting ripped off on the internet

#202
Hello.. I'm new to TalkBass (registered yesterday - 6/03/2013) and have no buying/selling history, but I'm very interested in buying a Lakland 55-02 bass and am looking for a preowned. I am in the Atlanta, GA area. If you currently have one and want to sell it, and are in the Metro Atlanta area, please get back to me. Thanks!
 
#204
Jugghaid said:
Mods, feel free to move this wherever you want, but I thought the classifieds was the most appropriate place to post this.


I get about 2 or 3 requests a month from people asking me to help them track down someone who has ripped them off on a transaction on eBay, HC, Bassgear, etc. I'm more than happy to help out, but the one thing I have noticed is that a lot of people don't protect themselves as much as they could. Here's a little checklist to go through that I posted over on the Dudepit that can help you guys avoid a lot of grief when doing a deal with someone you don't know.

In the future, I hope everyone here checks out people before they do business with them. A lot of you guys here buy and sell a lot of gear, and if you know the person...great. But if not make sure you get a home phone# a work phone # a cell phone# home address etc. check out the info too. Call the person. If you think they gave you a cell# as a home or work # - check it out here:
www.fonefinder.net/

It will tell you if it's a land line or a cell and what city it goes to.

Reverse the phone#s and addresses they gave you to see where they go. Argali is really good for this. You can also reverse the address.

Just go to www.argali.com and download their program.

If you think the address is a mail drop you can check that out as well at Invalid Link Removed

If you want to find out who owns the address they give you to send payment to you can also go to
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Select the state and county of the address. A lot of them have online databases, but you can call the tax assessor as well and find out who owns that property.

These are just a few of the free online resouces you can use to protect yourself and verify the information the seller gives you is accurate.

Ask for references from other people they have done business with. If I'm shelling out $100 for an effect pedal or $3000 for a bass, I want to know if the person is honest or not,

Make sure the info they give you checks out before you give up any of your hard earned cash. An honest seller won't be offended in the least when you ask them for this info.
Click to expand...

I always prefer going to physical stores, than online shopping. Its more sensible and convenient, specially if the shop is nearby!! :bassist:
 
#205
HeavyDuty said:
A helpful hint from todd 4ta, for when things really turn to s... poo.

Quote:
... I've also opened a case with the FBI's new Internet Fraud unit and they have said they will definitely be able to track him down. The website is here Link Removed in case anyone else needs it. They have a lot of good info on there.
Click to expand...

Going to the linked address produces a “This page can’t be displayed” page.
Here is what appears to be the correct (and current as of this writing) FBI page with info on helping you to avoid internet fraud:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/how-avoid-getting-ripped-off-internet-200007/#post2341300

Also, I just tested all of the links in the 1st post of this thread (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/how-avoid-getting-ripped-off-internet-200007/#post2341300) and again as of this writing, they all worked properly.
 
#206
I have purchased basses online from strangers, but I would NEVER send anyone a nickel straight through paypal or some other method. I will ONLY use an escrow service for transactions larger than $100 from a stranger. Escrow.com is a fantastic service that simply levels the playing field for both buyer and seller. Neither can rip the other off. It's IMPOSSIBLE, because a neutral 3rd party has the money. It's fast, relatively cheap (3% of the total) and safe. Don't trust ANYONE. Use an escrow service. Well worth the money. If the other party won't agree to it then they have something to hide and shouldn't trusted.
 
#208
Hi everyone, happy holidays! I'm about to pull the trigger on buying a bass from a fellow TB'er from the Classified section. Its been quite a while since I bought anything off of the Classified's here, and I've never bought a bass.

I know that generally speaking, the community here is honest and safe. He has three transactions, all with positive feedback, and he wants to use Paypal for the transaction. Just wondering if y'all could provide any insight or advice on how to best protect myself in this transaction. (I know there are pages of info in this thread, but just hoping for a little distillation of all the info from an experienced TB'er or two!)

Many thx!
 
#209
I got a PM for a bass I have up for sale in the Classfieds here. The guy isn't a new user but he only has 2 posts from his user name. He sends me an address and phone number. I tell him as long as it's a Paypal verified address, we're good. After calling the phone # and immediately getting a generic voicemail, I ask him what's going on. It turns out that its the # and address for a 'mail forwarding service' that will receive the bass and then forward it to him in Russia. I kill the deal b/c it just seems fishy to me.

Does this sound like a scam to anyone else? I did have a 'United States' only clause in the classified I posted.
 
#210
BrokeDownSouth said:
I got a PM for a bass I have up for sale in the Classfieds here. The guy isn't a new user but he only has 2 posts from his user name. He sends me an address and phone number. I tell him as long as it's a Paypal verified address, we're good. After calling the phone # and immediately getting a generic voicemail, I ask him what's going on. It turns out that its the # and address for a 'mail forwarding service' that will receive the bass and then forward it to him in Russia. I kill the deal b/c it just seems fishy to me.

Does this sound like a scam to anyone else? I did have a 'United States' only clause in the classified I posted.
Click to expand...

Others will say it's common, but IMO if someone doesn't tell you that upfront, I'd rather not deal with them. I would kill the deal too.
 
#217
Jugghaid said:
Mods, feel free to move this wherever you want, but I thought the classifieds was the most appropriate place to post this.


I get about 2 or 3 requests a month from people asking me to help them track down someone who has ripped them off on a transaction on eBay, HC, Bassgear, etc. I'm more than happy to help out, but the one thing I have noticed is that a lot of people don't protect themselves as much as they could. Here's a little checklist to go through that I posted over on the Dudepit that can help you guys avoid a lot of grief when doing a deal with someone you don't know.

In the future, I hope everyone here checks out people before they do business with them. A lot of you guys here buy and sell a lot of gear, and if you know the person...great. But if not make sure you get a home phone# a work phone # a cell phone# home address etc. check out the info too. Call the person. If you think they gave you a cell# as a home or work # - check it out here:
www.fonefinder.net/

It will tell you if it's a land line or a cell and what city it goes to.

Reverse the phone#s and addresses they gave you to see where they go. Argali is really good for this. You can also reverse the address.

Just go to www.argali.com and download their program.

If you think the address is a mail drop you can check that out as well at http://www.finaid.com/scholarships/maildropsearch.phtml

If you want to find out who owns the address they give you to send payment to you can also go to
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Select the state and county of the address. A lot of them have online databases, but you can call the tax assessor as well and find out who owns that property.

These are just a few of the free online resouces you can use to protect yourself and verify the information the seller gives you is accurate.

Ask for references from other people they have done business with. If I'm shelling out $100 for an effect pedal or $3000 for a bass, I want to know if the person is honest or not,

Make sure the info they give you checks out before you give up any of your hard earned cash. An honest seller won't be offended in the least when you ask them for this info.
Click to expand...
What are the most common methods of payment and should you have the full payment in your bank account (transferred from Venmo or Zelle) before shipping anything ? I'm a first time seller with a fairly valuable bass in the classifieds. Thanks !
 
#218
NYCBass59 said:
What are the most common methods of payment and should you have the full payment in your bank account (transferred from Venmo or Zelle) before shipping anything ? I'm a first time seller with a fairly valuable bass in the classifieds. Thanks !
Click to expand...

Usually Venmo or Zelle are nearly instantaneous, but not always and it's not because of anything the seller did. From their perspective, you're screwing them over. They paid and now you're holding up shipment. And just because the processor deposited the money in your account, doesn't mean that they can't withdraw it if there is an issue.
 
#219
NYCBass59 said:
What are the most common methods of payment and should you have the full payment in your bank account (transferred from Venmo or Zelle) before shipping anything ? I'm a first time seller with a fairly valuable bass in the classifieds. Thanks !
Click to expand...
Paypal and Venmo are the most common (unless you are doing a cash deal in person). And yes, I would receive full payment before shipping. If we are talking a ton of money, there are escrow services available.
 
#220
NYCBass59 said:
What are the most common methods of payment and should you have the full payment in your bank account (transferred from Venmo or Zelle) before shipping anything ? I'm a first time seller with a fairly valuable bass in the classifieds. Thanks !
Click to expand...
Should note that using Zelle is against TB's TOS.

In the interest of protecting our members from potential scams or payments that offer no buyer protection, we are only permitting sellers to accept payments through PayPal goods and services. Starting July 1st, Venmo will have an official goods and services option, which also offers full buyers protection with the same 3% seller fee as PayPal. On this date, we will allow Venmo goods and services payments as an option as well. Sellers are not permitted to pass on these fees to buyers, make comments like “net to me” implying the buyer will be covering the fees, etc. Requesting fee free payments or that buyers cover these fees in private messages can result in a ban from the site.
Click to expand...
 
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