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I believe people are born innately good but let's face it. There are people in our hobby/industry who are out to make a quick dollar. Whether it be selling WC as CB, misrepresenting animals, or just flat out taking someones money and running. However, there are some simple steps that can help you make a good purchase and have a successful deal. These tips are primarily for purchases via the world wide web.
First, your best friend: Board of InquiryÃ?Æ?Ã?â??Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?¡Ã?Æ?ââ?¬Å¡Ã?â??Ã?® <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13">http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/ ... y.php?f=13</a><!-- m -->
If you are not already a member I encourage you to join this forum. Thousands of visiters and members are involved in this community and it should be the first location to look for any feedback on a seller. Not everyone agrees or likes the BOI but it definetly has its uses in helping to notify buyers of the bad guys in the industry. Use the search function and see what there is to be said on your potential seller!!!
Granted not everyone (scammer using fake name) is on the BOI so the person you might be dealing with may not be listed. In such cases it is important to take the following precautions.
Personal checks are a no-no as you say, and so are Western Union money transfers. Unless they are a long established and very reputable company, refuse to give any credit card/bank account info.
I prefer postal money orders over all of the above. Accepting money through the USPS and not delivering what you paid for constitutes a federal offense. Not many people would like to be in trouble with the FBI.
Paypal is another option but I have yet to use it in a sales transaction invloving reptiles (actually I am in the middle of making my first one so I will see how it goes). I have heard ups and downs in using it as a payment method, especially when an issue needs to be resolved. Anyone care to share their experience with it?
In my opinion the best way to minimize being scammed is:
1. Make sure the person selling the item has the item (pictures, dates help).
2. Make sure the person is who he says he is (checking background, references, BOI).
3. Have everything in writing (keep e-mails).
4. Ask for a real phone number (no cell phones) and an address where to ship the order or where it is coming from (most times on the mailing slip but you never know).
5. Verify the phone number, the address, and the name match (reverse look-up using 411.com).
6. Obtain references from the dealer (sure these can be friends of theirs but having a character reference doesn't hurt. Besides they might give you a contact who is not happy with them and lets you in on their scamming ways).
7. Trust your gut (if any red flags go up in your mind take a step back and evaluate the deal effectively).
8.Save all reciepts/paperwork/emails.
9. Mail money via USPS Certified and save reciepts as proof.
10. Make sure the animal represented is the species you want. There are so many species, morphs, subspecies out there that sometimes a picture cannot do the animal justice.
These are just some things that come to mind when trying to make a deal. It seems like a lot of work but trust me, you will be glad you did your homework in the long run. If anyone has any other tips or suggestions please add them!!!! I hope to make this thread an ongoing resource for us.
First, your best friend: Board of InquiryÃ?Æ?Ã?â??Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?¡Ã?Æ?ââ?¬Å¡Ã?â??Ã?® <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13">http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/ ... y.php?f=13</a><!-- m -->
If you are not already a member I encourage you to join this forum. Thousands of visiters and members are involved in this community and it should be the first location to look for any feedback on a seller. Not everyone agrees or likes the BOI but it definetly has its uses in helping to notify buyers of the bad guys in the industry. Use the search function and see what there is to be said on your potential seller!!!
Granted not everyone (scammer using fake name) is on the BOI so the person you might be dealing with may not be listed. In such cases it is important to take the following precautions.
Personal checks are a no-no as you say, and so are Western Union money transfers. Unless they are a long established and very reputable company, refuse to give any credit card/bank account info.
I prefer postal money orders over all of the above. Accepting money through the USPS and not delivering what you paid for constitutes a federal offense. Not many people would like to be in trouble with the FBI.
Paypal is another option but I have yet to use it in a sales transaction invloving reptiles (actually I am in the middle of making my first one so I will see how it goes). I have heard ups and downs in using it as a payment method, especially when an issue needs to be resolved. Anyone care to share their experience with it?
In my opinion the best way to minimize being scammed is:
1. Make sure the person selling the item has the item (pictures, dates help).
2. Make sure the person is who he says he is (checking background, references, BOI).
3. Have everything in writing (keep e-mails).
4. Ask for a real phone number (no cell phones) and an address where to ship the order or where it is coming from (most times on the mailing slip but you never know).
5. Verify the phone number, the address, and the name match (reverse look-up using 411.com).
6. Obtain references from the dealer (sure these can be friends of theirs but having a character reference doesn't hurt. Besides they might give you a contact who is not happy with them and lets you in on their scamming ways).
7. Trust your gut (if any red flags go up in your mind take a step back and evaluate the deal effectively).
8.Save all reciepts/paperwork/emails.
9. Mail money via USPS Certified and save reciepts as proof.
10. Make sure the animal represented is the species you want. There are so many species, morphs, subspecies out there that sometimes a picture cannot do the animal justice.
These are just some things that come to mind when trying to make a deal. It seems like a lot of work but trust me, you will be glad you did your homework in the long run. If anyone has any other tips or suggestions please add them!!!! I hope to make this thread an ongoing resource for us.
http://www.scambusters.org/Scambusters10.html14 Tips To Avoid Getting
Taken By Internet Scams:
1. Always use common sense. If you have a gut feeling that something isn't legitimate, you're probably right.
2. Make sure the company has a phone number and physical address. Call the company back. Check with Information to see if the phone number actually belongs to that company.
3. Always ask for references and check them carefully. A reputable company will be pleased to send you additional information and give you as many references from satisfied customers as you want.
4. Ask on-line promoters where their company is incorporated. If you're suspicious, call that state's secretary of state and ask if the company is incorporated with them and if it has a current annual report on file.
5. Check with the state's Attorney General's Office to see if the company has a received a series of complaints.
6. Check with the National Fraud Information Center at: <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.fraud.org">www.fraud.org</a><!-- w --> or 1-800-876-7060. NFIC provides lots of valuable resources about telephone, mail, and online scams.
7. Always make sure that you get a strong guarantee. Ask the company what will happen if you want to return the product or service. You might even ask for references of people who have returned the product and received refunds.
8. Avoid falling for high pressure sales tactics. Scamsters always want your money right now. They don't want to give you time to think about your decision. If you are pressured to decide right now, decide "no."
9. Pay by credit card. That gives you recourse if you have a problem. If you pay by credit card and have a problem, you can call your bank and do a "charge back." What that means is that you have the credit card company "charge back" your purchase to the vendor and give you a credit. But do be careful giving out your credit card number (especially by email).
10. Don't respond to bulk emails. Be skeptical of offers that use LOTS OF CAPITAL LETTERS and punctuation!!! Emails that shout at you are often bogus, such as "Discover how you can make BIG $$$$$ MONEY in NO TIME AT ALL!!!!!
11. Always print a hard copy of any on-line offer that you're considering. Make sure you keep the email address, Internet address (URL), and any other information, as well as the date and time that you saw the offer. Save this information in case you need it later.
12. Beware of promoters who try to sell things using an anonymous email address such as <!-- e --><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a><!-- e -->, <!-- e --><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a><!-- e --> or a post office box.
13. Don't participate in a pyramid scheme. If you are asked to send money to ten people, who each send money to ten other people, who then each send money to ten more people, etc., this is an illegal pyramid scheme. Don't do it.
14. If you're told that you have won a prize, be skeptical. If you are told you have won a prize and have to pay money, always refuse the prize.