How to avoid getting ripped off on the internet

[CDuff]

This is a good thread for my purposes: I'm looking at a Westone Pantera 5 string bass online at

Link Removed.

I play a little acoustic but want to get into bass, think this is a good beginner's instrument, but not sure about the pricing. Can anyone take a look here and let me know if they think this guy/gal is legit? Is $320 about right?

Thanks

I'm not gonna say absolutely yes or no but I think you can do better for 320 bucks for a second-hand Westone. I've had a Westone and it was decent but you can get a new Squier 5 string Jazz for 320 which I think is probably a better option, so if you looked around for a used one you could save some cash.

 

[jworrellbass]

I just had a guy who said he wanted to go though PayPal. I thought great. He told me he sent the money though, I got a email confriming it from what looked like paypal. I checked my paypal account and no money. It was all a scam. Make sure you check with paypal first. I'm still getting emails from the fake paypal. I just forward them to [email protected]. Be careful.

 

[LowBSix]

PAYPAL FEES HURT RIP OFF THE SELLER!!!

I'm really tired of PayPal fees and think the rule here is unfair. Buyers negotiate price per "going price" and then the seller has to suck it up and pay huge fees.

Yes everyone is protected by PayPal as a clearing house. I believe it would be fair to split the fees 50/50 Buyer/Seller being that both are protected...

Simple solutions. Everybody is protected and deal is done.

 

[HaPpYfAcE]

PAYPAL FEES HURT RIP OFF THE SELLER!!!

I'm really tired of PayPal fees and think the rule here is unfair. Buyers negotiate price per "going price" and then the seller has to suck it up and pay huge fees.

Yes everyone is protected by PayPal as a clearing house. I believe it would be fair to split the fees 50/50 Buyer/Seller being that both are protected...

Simple solutions. Everybody is protected and deal is done.

If you sign up for paypal, then you are bound by the rules and policies that you agreed to. If the 3% fee to use their instant online payment service is too much for you (not to mention any protection offered by that service), then you should not take paypal.

Personally, i have 0 issues with paypal. Also, you may want to bring that up to Paypal, because here you probably won't even get a mod response to complaints/messages about paypal.

 

[jetagegreg]

3% on a $1000 bass is only $30. If it's that big a deal, just increase your asking price by 3%.

My 2 cents,
-GB

 

[LowBSix]

very good.

 

[Sav'nBass]

This is a good thread.. I am trying to sell my [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] in the D.C. area.. and I have gotten two seemingly promising bites but they both want me to ship overseas .... which raises alarms in my head..

 

[Usedtoplaymore]

I was approached by a guy in NJ (I am in MA) who wants to buy my $2,800 bass - I did not want to ship - so I let him know he could come up here and do a cash transaction -

He has a a guy who owns a company (affiliated with his work) who he will send the cash to - they will pay me cash - as I requested and take my bass and ship it to him - it is not a shipping company.

The company he is sending it to is legit (after review) - anyone had any experience with this type of arrangement?

If anyone has any info on this type of arrangement - please let me know - I would appreciate it - thanks.

 

[stflbn]

I think I'd be very suspicious of that deal, but cash IS cash. I'd just find out specific names, phone numbers, etc surrounding the deal before going through with it.


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[Usedtoplaymore]

just fine - but like you say it does seem a bit odd and I will get all of the contact info prior.... BTW I like the regenerate basses also - saw the Black Tele a little while back w/ the darkstar and thought it was the nicest looking tele I had ever seen - again thanks for the input

 

[Zooberwerx]

I was approached by a guy in NJ (I am in MA) who wants to buy my $2,800 bass - I did not want to ship - so I let him know he could come up here and do a cash transaction -

He has a a guy who owns a company (affiliated with his work) who he will send the cash to - they will pay me cash - as I requested and take my bass and ship it to him - it is not a shipping company.

The company he is sending it to is legit (after review) - anyone had any experience with this type of arrangement?

If anyone has any info on this type of arrangement - please let me know - I would appreciate it - thanks.

I've done similar deals with a Tber where I shipped to an employer / parent company in Compton, CA....twice! If you've done all your research and everything checks out to the final detail, go for it! I've were to latch onto your no-shipping deal, I would have no choice but to use "networking" contacts to facilitate payment, pick-up, and delivery.

Riis

 

[Usedtoplaymore]

one who placed the restriction to be on a local cash basis.... Good input...... Thank you.

 

[rappa29]

How long do you wait before filing a complaint and\or refund from Paypal, Ebay, Credit Card company etc if you haven't received the items you purchased online?

It's been a week since I paid for my items and haven't heard from the seller at all, no PM, no email, nothing. Should I wait another week or file a dispute now?

 

[jetagegreg]

How long do you wait before filing a complaint and\or refund from Paypal, Ebay, Credit Card company etc if you haven't received the items you purchased online?

It's been a week since I paid for my items and haven't heard from the seller at all, no PM, no email, nothing. Should I wait another week or file a dispute now?

In most cases you have at least 30 days to file a complaint. You might want to wait a few more days to see if your item shows up. If it's PayPal through Ebay, you should have no problem making a claim if needed. Credit card protection is quite good too.

-GB

 

[SRT80]

PAYPAL FEES HURT RIP OFF THE SELLER!!!

I'm really tired of PayPal fees and think the rule here is unfair. Buyers negotiate price per "going price" and then the seller has to suck it up and pay huge fees.

Yes everyone is protected by PayPal as a clearing house. I believe it would be fair to split the fees 50/50 Buyer/Seller being that both are protected...

Simple solutions. Everybody is protected and deal is done.

I think someone said when you sale something, only accept a echeck through paypal. It takes a little longer to clear but only charges you a flat $5.00 fee no matter how high the cost of the item you are selling.

Steve

 

[ChrisMiami]

I've been trying all over the country to purchase a bass, and most of the ones I make an offer on were advertised on Craigslist. After thinking about it really hard, the best thing I could come up with is C.O.D., which is available via USPS, FedEx and UPS.

This to me seems like the best deal because the shipper is the disinterested 3rd party - they won't release the bass till I pay (so seller is assured of getting paid) and I don't pay until the bass is right there in front of me (so I get my bass). Shipper can specify that payment is made with secured instrument (cash, cashier's check).

The only wrinkle is the box of rocks scenario, and that I'm guessing is possible to avoid by insisting on a contents inspection (prevailing upon the carrier to "be cool" and having packing tape to prove you're cool too).

I never thought PayPal was much of an option but I'll revisit their policy pages. In the olden days they just passed the money, gave no warranty whatsoever, so it was just like mailing cash.

Even so, I still like the C.O.D. idea better. I'm curious why no one's mentioned it yet? Seems to me the safest and most convenient....

Thanks,
Chris

 

[ialma]

So I've been reading the whole thread and I was trying consider few options:
1) I'd like to buy (I live in Italy) a bass from a fellow bass player who lives in the USA.
I settle price and shipping (which is outrageously expensive through UPS - near 450$) with him.
Which is the best way to transfer money & instrument ?
(not considering the usual scam systems, moneygram, western union, cashier check, shipping, escrow service etc etc)
1) International money order - can be forged
2) Paypal ?
3) COD ?
4) bank transfer ?
I have no idea if USPS allows sending a package cash on delivery (any idea fellows?) but this (like paypal payment) won't help us with the different instrument trick.

I mean, if I pay 3000$ for a Sadowsky and I receive a battered P copy, I assume Paypal won't help, nor USPS will.

Ok, I can track seller (as explained in first post), but I cannot be sure of the package contents.

Any idea to get out of this catch 22 situation ??

 

[Silver Darling]

I have two TBer's both with 6 or 7 very good feedacks.
One from the UK and one from Argentina.
I read this whole thread
I'm pretty sure I should use PayPal.
Is there any other way to ship besides FED EX / UPS and get a tracking number?
What would be the best way to ship these $400 preamps?

 

[MaddogMonument]

im buying form someone rigth now re said he reived my money and he said it will take like 3-5 days to clear on his end so he could ship it to meim nervous that he just ran off with the money his reviws on TB looked good and he has a 10 out of 10 100% user rateing

 

[ialma]

do you have any info about the seller? home phone number ?
Try to contact the other buyers with whom your seller has done business.