Buying/Paying Advice

[Corpulent Tosser]

I am considering buying a fairly high value item (circa 1000pounds) from a private seller, the item is 500 miles away so going to pick it up while possible is a bit of a pain.

Going with a bundle of notes, paying cash and walking away with the item is the safest way, but is there another way I can avoid getting ripped off. I have no reason to think the buyer would, but bottom line is he could take my cheque, cash it and claim never to have got it.

Bank transfer is a possibilty, but how do I prove what I have bought if he does not deliver.

Never having bought anything like this before any advice is appreciated.

[Maxf]

There has to be a bit of trust - there are a lot of scams a seller can be subject to as well.

Have you spoken to him on the phone? Does he sound genuine?
Is the item properly priced or is it 'too good to be true'?

If he'll accept paypal you could pay through them via your credit card - but there are 3.9% fees which someone will have to eat. Or you could see if a friendly PHer nearby could go and see the item for you, and make sure he at least owns it/appears genuine.

I buy a ton of stuff online, some from people I know and some from people I've never dealt with before - you kind of get a 6th sense, but the first deal with someone is always a bit of a gamble, although they are probably thinking the same thing!

Edited by Maxf on Friday 27th March 06:42

[Corpulent Tosser]

Aye that is pretty much how I see it, I have an additional problem in that I am overseas working and if I want it picked up it would have to be son or wife who did the 1000mile round trip.

Cheers

[thinfourth2]

Any chance of changing your flights home so you can meet him at an airport as i am guessing the 500miles away means it is near London village

Other then that i haven't got a clue

[Corpulent Tosser]

That is an option but I am not due home until 16th and I think he would want to do a deal before then, but that is an option I could put to him and I could hire a car and drive home from London on 17th. Doune next day though

[barney123]

BEWARE

I have just been through something similar on ebay.

The seller (dodgy) always makes sure they are selling the item from somewhere in the middle of nowhere (orkney, shetland isles etc) and offers
free delivery to avoid the buyer coming to pick the item up (or make it difficult) becuase obviously the item does not exist, and they intent to take your money and run.....

[barney123]

barney123 said:

BEWARE

I have just been through something similar on ebay.

The seller (dodgy) always makes sure they are selling the item from somewhere in the middle of nowhere (orkney, shetland isles etc) and offers
free delivery to avoid the buyer coming to pick the item up (or make it difficult) becuase obviously the item does not exist, and they intent to take your money and run.....

Example (apologies to seller if genuine, but I bet its dodgy)

I have been watching a few of these and they keep coming up.

Free P&P on a camper from aberdeen !!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2006-Pennine-Pullman-535-Fol...

[Tampon]

barney123 said:

barney123 said:

BEWARE

I have just been through something similar on ebay.

The seller (dodgy) always makes sure they are selling the item from somewhere in the middle of nowhere (orkney, shetland isles etc) and offers
free delivery to avoid the buyer coming to pick the item up (or make it difficult) becuase obviously the item does not exist, and they intent to take your money and run.....

Example (apologies to seller if genuine, but I bet its dodgy)

I have been watching a few of these and they keep coming up.

Free P&P on a camper from aberdeen !!!!!



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2006-Pennine-Pullman-535-Fol...

No that one has no real delivery, it is pick up only really, some people just don't know how to list it with that option. The guy is offering to delivery locally himself, but I see what you are getting at but the ones your talking about advertise FREE NATIONWIDE DELIVERY, and they promote that heavily.

Ebay is getting harder to list on and the options you can offer are limited, loads of items are listed as free delivery but they mean pick up only, or that they aren't charging for delivery because there isn;t any delivery options.

[barney123]

Tampon said:

barney123 said:

barney123 said:

BEWARE

I have just been through something similar on ebay.

The seller (dodgy) always makes sure they are selling the item from somewhere in the middle of nowhere (orkney, shetland isles etc) and offers
free delivery to avoid the buyer coming to pick the item up (or make it difficult) becuase obviously the item does not exist, and they intent to take your money and run.....

Example (apologies to seller if genuine, but I bet its dodgy)

I have been watching a few of these and they keep coming up.

Free P&P on a camper from aberdeen !!!!!



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2006-Pennine-Pullman-535-Fol...

No that one has no real delivery, it is pick up only really, some people just don't know how to list it with that option. The guy is offering to delivery locally himself, but I see what you are getting at but the ones your talking about advertise FREE NATIONWIDE DELIVERY, and they promote that heavily.

Ebay is getting harder to list on and the options you can offer are limited, loads of items are listed as free delivery but they mean pick up only, or that they aren't charging for delivery because there isn;t any delivery options.

The last one I missed but contacted the seller - same item - in Stornoway, surprise the original winner did not complete and I could have it if I wanted. Something not right.

He used hotmail, but hotmail stores the original remote-ip of the users machine, so I traced it and it was in USA !!??

Decided not to bother.

[Corpulent Tosser]

barney123 said:

barney123 said:

BEWARE

I have just been through something similar on ebay.

The seller (dodgy) always makes sure they are selling the item from somewhere in the middle of nowhere (orkney, shetland isles etc) and offers
free delivery to avoid the buyer coming to pick the item up (or make it difficult) becuase obviously the item does not exist, and they intent to take your money and run.....

Example (apologies to seller if genuine, but I bet its dodgy)

I have been watching a few of these and they keep coming up.

Free P&P on a camper from aberdeen !!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2006-Pennine-Pullman-535-Fol...

If you are interested in the camper I could get my son or wife to go look at it and make sure it exists.

[parakitaMol.]

Could you get someone else to check the item for you before you make this journey?

I am about to list a really high value item and I am just as worried about selling it (scams) as I would be about buying something.

Edited by parakitaMol. on Friday 27th March 09:44

[barney123]

Corpulent Tosser said:

barney123 said:

barney123 said:

BEWARE

I have just been through something similar on ebay.

The seller (dodgy) always makes sure they are selling the item from somewhere in the middle of nowhere (orkney, shetland isles etc) and offers
free delivery to avoid the buyer coming to pick the item up (or make it difficult) becuase obviously the item does not exist, and they intent to take your money and run.....

Example (apologies to seller if genuine, but I bet its dodgy)

I have been watching a few of these and they keep coming up.

Free P&P on a camper from aberdeen !!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2006-Pennine-Pullman-535-Fol...

If you are interested in the camper I could get my son or wife to go look at it and make sure it exists.

Thanks, but I have emailed them and am going to see where their response email comes from this time ......

There are literally 2 or 3 every month that appear like this trying to scam people.....

[Landlord]

I seem to remember the post office offer a service whereby they'll hold the item until payment is received.

That is, blokey posts it. Your local Post Office tells you it's arrived but they hold on to it. You pop along, pay and they release the goods and give the payment to the poster. If you don't pay/turn up/whatever, the item is returned to the poster.

Not sure what it's called but I used the service (many) years ago. Try looking on the Royal Mail site perhaps?

[Corpulent Tosser]

I think it might be a bit big for Royal Mail, its an engine.

[Rags]

Where is it? I am sure a kind soul on here may live near and be able to check it out?

[fatvik]

For what its worth.

When I bought my current car, I went to see the seller with two of my friends at the address that the car was registered to (quite a nice part of London).

The couple seemed genuine and the addresses and the servicing information checked out (we called the dealer etc). So, with the two of my (big burly) mates at my side, I gave them a wad of cash for the car. They counted the money and when they were happy we completed the paperwork

All worked out happily for me.

In my opinion, paying by cash is cool, just make sure the deal is not too good to be true and the seller is going to meet you (and open the front door) of the property that the car is registered to. And take someone else with you.

Good luck dude.

-FV

[parakitaMol.]

Corpulent Tosser said:

I think it might be a bit big for Royal Mail, its an engine.

A stupid girly question.... but how on earth could you test that this engine is working and also how would you carry this home?

I have a ridiculously expensive mens briefcase to sell, to think I was worried about that!

Perhaps you could buy it to put all your engine paperwork in?

Edited by parakitaMol. on Friday 27th March 10:36

[Bushmaster]

Corpulent Tosser said:

I am considering buying a fairly high value item (circa 1000pounds) from a private seller, the item is 500 miles away so going to pick it up while possible is a bit of a pain.

Going with a bundle of notes, paying cash and walking away with the item is the safest way, but is there another way I can avoid getting ripped off. I have no reason to think the buyer would, but bottom line is he could take my cheque, cash it and claim never to have got it.

Bank transfer is a possibilty, but how do I prove what I have bought if he does not deliver.

Never having bought anything like this before any advice is appreciated.

Send him a cheque and get him to scan/fax back instantly a receipt document including description of the item, serial nos, etc, the agreed price and a statement to the effect that he confirms it it his to sell. It won't have a wet signature but hey.

He has the cheque, your bank has the money, he has the item and you have a receipt.

He sends you the item, the cheque is paid and everyone is happy.

But if you don't receive the item the next day or it is not as described you ring the bank and stop the cheque.

[ss64ii]

I would always pay cash on collection for an item of that value, if it is not what says on the tin, then you can walk away with your cash.
Keep emailinr/ringing the seller, you'll soon find out if they're genuine or not if you ask enough different questions about the item.

[Landlord]

Corpulent Tosser said:

I think it might be a bit big for Royal Mail, its an engine.

You might find that any courier company offer the same service. Plus they tend to have beefier delivery men who can possibly lift an engine.