Safest way to purchase an item from a chat forum individual?

Master_Betty

(think I posted this in the wrong sub-forum earlier so here goes):

Hi! First post!

After seeing an item for sale in a "for sale" section of a chat forum, we have agreed a price and while the seller sounds genuine and has sent photos if the item (with his name in the photo as per my request) I am unsure what the best way to proceed is.

What protects me the most? Paypal (using credit card)? Cash-on-delivery?

The item is at the opposite end of the country so collection is out of the question.

What do you think? This must be a common accurance?

Bowling_4_Gold

There is no absolute 'safe' way. Ask them to list it on eBay - if they really want the sale, they will.

ilnf

Is it a valuable item? You could always use an escrow service?

Master_Betty

The item is >£100, but has already stated he cant be bothered with listing it on ebay.

Is there any paypal protection if its outside of ebay?

prowla

I have bought and sold a number of things from/to people that I have met on fora like this, without a problem.

Master_Betty

prowla wrote: »

I have bought and sold a number of things from/to people that I have met on fora like this, without a problem.

How did you pay them?

ABH_3

Master_Betty wrote: »

How did you pay them?

Ask them for their Name and Address and Landline Number. Then simply check their name up on something like:

http://www.192.com/people/
http://www.ukroll.com/

Or goto your local reference library and ask for their copy of the electoral role this should at least give you their location, then ask for pictures of the item, ask if they've got any 'feedback' for this kind of thing on any other sites, if they've got an ebay ID then ask them to send you an email from the site for instance.

If they want to know why you want all that lot, tell them you'll need these details should the item prove to be defective, then I will need to know where to send the Court Summons in order to get my money back.

Payment is usually after receiving the item if they've got little or NO feedback anywhere. Afterall, they have your address, so know where to send their summons should it be necessary. As for payment, you've got escrow of course, which would be the preferred method as it mitigates too much loss or there's paypal gift which is often preferred as there's no fees.

HTH