Paying for 2nd hand goods online - how to avoid getting ripped off?

VR46 · 21 Feb 2006 at 10:29

Hi,

A question for you lot regarding buying 2nd hand goods from the ocuk for sale section.

Unfortunately I am asking this question as a result of being ripped off

I paid for an item by bank transfer, but the item never arrived and the seller dissappeared.

Could I have avoided this by using pay pal?

People have told me that pay pal protect buyers and sellers from fraud, so in my case does that mean that I would have got a refund?

Wyrdo · 21 Feb 2006 at 10:34

VR46 said:
Hi,

A question for you lot regarding buying 2nd hand goods from the ocuk for sale section.

Unfortunately I am asking this question as a result of being ripped off

I paid for an item by bank transfer, but the item never arrived and the seller dissappeared.

Could I have avoided this by using pay pal?

People have told me that pay pal protect buyers and sellers from fraud, so in my case does that mean that I would have got a refund?

You bought the item from someone from here in the Members Market?

chimaera · 21 Feb 2006 at 10:48

Contact the MM Dons, they should be able to help.

VR46 · 21 Feb 2006 at 11:09

Hi,

I should have said, the guy in question has dissappeared and his account has been brought to the attention of admin and he has been suspended / banned. I was ripped off for quite a lot of cash, and other people were ripped off for even more.

My case may just be a one off as Ocuk have really good members and I have never had a problem before. As far as I can see I am at a loss. I was just wondering how can I prevent this happening to me in the future.

So maybe you can tell me, before you buy what information do you gather before actually transferring money? Home Tel.No address etc?

I did refer to the seller's "Trust" and it was all good.

ethan · 21 Feb 2006 at 11:34

Some very good questions -especially because they would help us all out. Sorry 2 hear of your misfortune though. Good luck

Tru · 21 Feb 2006 at 11:40

VR46 said:
So maybe you can tell me, before you buy what information do you gather before actually transferring money? Home Tel.No address etc?

Never do a deal without, at the very least, that info. Check the MM sticky for best practice.

stigggeh · 21 Feb 2006 at 11:51

have you contacted the other people in question, to find out if any of them have home address etc?

PsiFox · 21 Feb 2006 at 12:30

If you did this via bank transfer then you have his account details.

Contact the police and ask them to investigate.