? about marketplace but want to ask here

[wesawit1st]

If there was a good deal in marketplace from a member who recently joined, with very few posts, how could you (or would you even) proceed with a transaction? There is something I am interested in but the person says they do not have ebay feedback or any feedback here? Of course, I am new here too (but I do have ebay feedback)... so if I purchased something with Paypal, would that be enough coverage if something were to fall through? I'm sure most people trying to sell here are honest and trustworthy and really, just wanting to get rid of their things, but I know there are also scam artists everywhere, just looking for their next victim (which I do not suspect at all in this matter, just to be clear). :)

Thanks.

[TheHoff]

I personally wouldn't. Everything is sold here or at Fred Miranda at least once a week; I'd wait for a source with positive feedback. If the price seems 'too good' it likely is, right?

[eddarr]

Yeah, I've bought a few things here but I usually try to look for a member that has been around for a while. This is actually unfair to the newer members. But if your spending $1000 on something I just like knowing they have invested time and energy into this forum.

[Pete]

You can do a couple of things.

If you're paying through paypal, get them to maky you a very small payment for goods. On the invoice that paypal produces, you'll be able to see if their address is verified or not. If it's verified, then paypal is happy that the person who set up the account is the owner of that credit card.

You can also ask for their phone number and talk to them direct. You often get a good feel for someone's genuineness simply by talking to them (a scammer usually won't want to talk to you, or will be very cagey over the phone).

Basically, look at the sale prices of what's on offer and compare against the "new" price, and also scout on ebay. If the price is dramatically lower than you'd expect to pay for that item, then it's likely to be someone out for a quick and dirty scam.

I bought my 1D Mk II N from someone on here with 4 posts. I paid for it via wire transfer because the other party didn't have a paypal account. It went through fine in the end and I'm more than happy with the deal.

[Pete]

Yeah, I've bought a few things here but I usually try to look for a member that has been around for a while. This is actually unfair to the newer members. But if your spending $1000 on something I just like knowing they have invested time and energy into this forum.

You can't assume that. Someone who wants to make big money through scamming could easily spend a couple of months here posting comments, making friends and then decide to sell up and "go to the dark side".

A few grand for a few weeks posting seems like easy money to me.

[cdifoto]

I ignore "deals" from members who only come here to sell. To me, POTN is a community first and a classifieds second. Those who treat it like a classifieds that happens to have a community attached to it don't usually get my business.