Know Your
Seller
Check the Seller's Feedback Most
auction sites and many online malls have a forum where buyers
can comment on their experiences with sellers. Be cautious of
sellers with little or no feedback, and take negative comments
very seriously.
Compare Listings Search for
similar items to see if your item's price is fair-trade. Be
suspicious of hard to find items offered at a very low price.
If a seller is offering many of the same items, ask to speak
with the seller's supplier. Verify that the supplier is a
legitimate business with the correct address and phone number
through a telephone directory.
Don't Sacrifice Caution for an
Impulse Buy
Always shop with a level head. Take the time to research the
item and get to know your seller before
agreeing to buy. Don't buy if there isn't enough time to check
for warning signs.
Use Extra Caution with High-Demand
Items
Particularly around the holidays, certain high-demand items
are associated with higher purchasing risks. Do additional
checking, especially with computers, jewelry, electronics, and
items that are sold out in stores.
Be Wary of Items with Delayed
Shipment
Pay attention to the advised delivery date. Delivery dates
further than 20 days after your payment involve more risk. Be
aware that EPal Pro sellers are not allowed to sell goods with
delivery dates delayed more than 20 days from the date of
payment.
If It Sounds Too Good to Be True...
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ask yourself
if the information in the item description sounds believable.
If a seller claims to suddenly have a large quantity on an
item that's impossible to find, question the validity of the
claim. Ask to speak with the seller's supplier, and use a
phone directory to verify that the supplier is a legitimate
business with the correct address and phone number.
Warning Signs
Seller Has Large Quantity of Hard to
Find Items If a seller claims to suddenly have a large
quantity on an item that's impossible to find, question the
validity of the claim. Ask to speak with the seller's
supplier, and use a phone directory to verify that the
supplier is a legitimate business with the correct address and
phone number.
Seller Buys Low Dollar Items and Lists
High Ticket Items On many sites, it is possible to
improve your feedback rating by buying *and* selling items, so
read the feedback comments carefully. If the seller has only
made purchases (rather than sales), his feedback is not
necessarily an indication of his selling reputation.
Seller Has Little, No, or Negative
Feedback While a low feedback rating may simply
indicate that the seller is new, transactions with low
feedback sellers tend to involve more risk.
Seller Lists Multiple Items with the
Same Picture Be wary of multiple listings with the
same picture, particularly if the picture is from the
manufacturer's website. If the photo looks like it was taken
at a home or office, chances are better that the seller does
have that item. |