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Buying from a new seller with no feedback

tamanekotamaneko Member Posts: 15 ✭✭
edited December 2007 in Ask the Experts
Often there's a lot of seemingly good deals from sellers who are new to Gunbroker and have no feedback. There's one in particular that only accept checks as a payment method. Is it too risky to purchase from this new seller, and what can I do if the seller just cashes my check and never sends the item I purchased?
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Comments

  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Feedback is always a good indicator, but remember, that we too were once a seller without feedback. it just depends on the risk involved, of what it is you are buying, how bad you want it, will there be another one, and is it a really great deal or not.
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    TSR is right, there IS a certain element of risk; but, that applies to a lot of things we do.

    Accepting checks only wouldn't concern me; the seller is actually taking a bigger risk on YOU. That's why many sellers insist on a USPS money order.

    I look at the "complete package", & any "red flag" will make me run away. I have come up with my own things to look for:
    1. Is the description complete & concise, or just hot air?
    2. Are the photos good, or dark/out of focus?
    3. I may ask for additional photos via email; if he can't send them, then maybe he "hijacked" the photo from another auction.
    4. Never send money to a PO box or a foreign country.
    5. Get the sellers name, address, & phone #; then, PHONE him to be sure the number is his.
    6. Verify the sellers address/phone number through an online directory, such as www.anywho.com .
    7. If unable to find any listing for the seller, ask him for a photocopy of his drivers license.
    8. Can you live with his return policy? Especially if it's ALL SALES FINAL?

    Some folks will think I'm too instrusive. But, so far, I haven't been scammed.

    Neal

    "Just because you are paranoid, that doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you."
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  • FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
    edited November -1
    nmeyers is right on the money. If you have concerns. CONTACT the seller.
    I make it a point to ask a question on every auction I'm considering bidding on. This gives you an opportunity to get a feel for the seller. Is he evasive, unknowledgable or just doesn't reply? If he isn't forthright and helpful prior to the sale, it's a good bet he won't be after.
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  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i send certified checks by delivery confirm or certified mail so i have tracking & recovery...have had only one screw job on deal (on GB) which took a month to get check back...but if you get either gun or money back i guess thats not a total loss
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  • 41 nut41 nut Member Posts: 3,016
    edited November -1
    nmyers, I cann't agree with you on not sending money to a P. O. address. Some people (myself included) only have a post office box for mail delivery and do not have any mail delivered at their house or business. I've had a post office box only for a mailing address for both my home and my business (which is at home) for over 30 years. Reason for that is that mail does not arrive on this street until around 4PM each day.
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  • duckhunterduckhunter Member Posts: 7,687 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get the ups address.
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  • grdad45grdad45 Member Posts: 5,382 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    When I started selling, I only sold small inexpensive items. Then after I got a few A+ ratings, I moved up to more expensive items.
    One major thing when selling is to be as candid and honest with your answers to any questions. 99% of us are men and women of our word, and I like to think I can trust any of you.
    As my Dad used to say, "If I tell you it's gong to rain, better get an umbrella!"
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  • glabrayglabray Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Feedback ratings don't mean much. How ofen do you see anything other than an A+? Even if a guy has a few negatives, 99% if his feedbacks will still be A+. A lot of buyers are reluctant to give a bad rating out of fear of getting a bad feedback as revenge.
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  • MaaloxMaalox Member Posts: 5,155 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was watching a shotgun a couple months ago from a new seller with 0 feedback. This was a retail store not an individual. I posted up the auction and the name and it wasn't long before some folks here on the forum posted up and said they new the seller and they were legitimate. I also called a spoke with the seller so I was comfortable bidding.

    It worked out as a great transaction.
    Regards, MAALOX
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  • dagrizmandagrizman Member Posts: 37 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just A Thought, He May Have Feedback On Other sites, Like E-Bay. Just Ask!
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  • deadeye46deadeye46 Member Posts: 550 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    i agree with grizman,i don't have many feedbacks on gunbroker but i have a lot on "fleabay" with the same user id,just my .02
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