Question: Buying from Forum Members??

Coupe335 · 05-30-2010, 12:37 PM

If someone is new to the forums and has posted something up for sale, like wheels, or parts, that is in another state.

1) What is the best way to make this transaction happen?

2) How do I pay him and ENSURE I don't get screwed?

3) There is no iTrader information or seller ratings of any kind. So, how do I know he is legit?

4) He wants CASH, so do I send a check, 0r a bank transfer? He does not have pay pal.

5) Should I require some kind of written agreement?

6) How many of you just simply buy and trade with people out of state simply based on the HONOR SYSTEM?

I'm new to this, so I appreciate your help and response.

Thanks!

CollinsE90 · 05-30-2010, 12:38 PM

i wouldnt do it, a troll is a troll

WWONG · 05-30-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupe335

If someone is new to the forums and has posted something up for sale that is in another state or country.

1) What is the best way to make this transaction happen?

2) How do I pay him and ENSURE I don't get screwed?

3) There is no iTrader information or seller ratings of any kind. So, how do I know he is legit?

4) Do I send a check, bank transfer? He does not have pay pal.

5) Should I require some kind of written agreement?

6) How many of you just simply buy and trade with people out of state simply based on the HONOR SYSTEM?

I'm new to this, so I appreciate your help and response.

Thanks!

Try using PayPal. If they don't send you anything, you could dispute through them or even through your credit card company. Now if you're talking about buying something big like a BMW, that's when you use escrow.

curlysue · 05-30-2010, 01:13 PM

You probably shouldn't buy something if he has no itrader, few posts and is out of the country. It's a little too risky. Use paypal for most of your transactions, they offer a wide variety of tools that help protect the seller and the buyer. Also, check with your credit card company to see how they can assist you with recovering money after a bad transaction. Lastly, use your common sense! Look for clues which will fish out a crook. Buying something from a member on these forums should be easy, but it can get ugly.

Luckily, I've never had a problem with any member transactions, nor vendors.

Coupe335 · 05-30-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curlysue

You probably shouldn't buy something if he has no itrader, few posts and is out of the country. It's a little too risky. Use paypal for most of your transactions, they offer a wide variety of tools that help protect the seller and the buyer. Also, check with your credit card company to see how they can assist you with recovering money after a bad transaction. Lastly, use your common sense! Look for clues which will fish out a crook. Buying something from a member on these forums should be easy, but it can get ugly.

Luckily, I've never had a problem with any member transactions, nor vendors.

He actually wants cash as payment. So I dont think my credit card company is going to be able to help me in this instance. But thanks.

bavarianboar · 05-30-2010, 01:19 PM

If in same country, fly down meet the current owner, take a test drive, get some real information about the person whom you will be dealing with.

Then move forward. I would not finalize things on the internet or so. It is good to trust people but it is better to be safe than sorry. Exercise Caution and be judicious with your money. Good luck

BayMoWe335 · 05-30-2010, 02:01 PM

Educate yourself before doing anything like this. You are totally in the dark...

mycoupe · 05-30-2010, 02:10 PM

no paypal, no purchase!

gun6slinger9 · 05-30-2010, 02:54 PM

If they are serious sellers they would not expect you to mail them cash. Cash only raises flags already. Based on your eagerness I would assume that you are getting a "good" deal. If you really feel the need to go through with this i would do half now half on receiving the item, just so you dont lose too much.

Marcus-SanDiego · 05-30-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mycoupe

no paypal, no purchase!

I'm not doing a large cash deal without doing the transaction in person.

Additionally, if someone won't let you do a Paypal transaction (where you pay the fees, too), that's a red flag.

Under no circumstances will I do a cash deal with an international seller.

I'm reluctant to buy anything from a seller who hasn't been around the forum for some time.

Always trust your gut. There will always be another deal.

MaxBoost335 · 05-30-2010, 03:13 PM

DON'T DO IT, cash only almost always gets you screwed and you have no recourse. If a seller really wants to sell something, he/she would at least have a verified paypal account. Like others said, unless you can go pick up in person, don't do cash.

cb1111 · 05-30-2010, 08:14 PM

Always but the seller, not the product. What kind of reputation does he (she?) have on the board?

The "I'll only take cash" certainly sounds like a dealbreaker. How does he expect you to send him the cash - in a plain brown envelope? As a buyer, I wouldn't even want cash - I'd want paypal to assure that I actually get the funds - and I'd be smart enough to price my items to assure that the paypal fees are covered.

I'd pass unless this poster has a stellar reputation on this board.

05-30-2010, 12:37 PM	#1
Coupe335 Registered 1 Rep 4 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: May 2010 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	Question: Buying from Forum Members?? If someone is new to the forums and has posted something up for sale, like wheels, or parts, that is in another state. 1) What is the best way to make this transaction happen? 2) How do I pay him and ENSURE I don't get screwed? 3) There is no iTrader information or seller ratings of any kind. So, how do I know he is legit? 4) He wants CASH, so do I send a check, 0r a bank transfer? He does not have pay pal. 5) Should I require some kind of written agreement? 6) How many of you just simply buy and trade with people out of state simply based on the HONOR SYSTEM? I'm new to this, so I appreciate your help and response. Thanks! Last edited by Coupe335; 05-30-2010 at 01:18 PM..
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05-30-2010, 12:38 PM	#2
CollinsE90 Where my bitches 743 Rep 1,924 Posts Drives: Cadillac coupe deville Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: street corner checking profits iTrader: (0)	i wouldnt do it, a troll is a troll __________________
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05-30-2010, 01:13 PM	#4
curlysue MURDA_M 2 Rep 84 Posts Drives: SGE90 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami iTrader: (5)	You probably shouldn't buy something if he has no itrader, few posts and is out of the country. It's a little too risky. Use paypal for most of your transactions, they offer a wide variety of tools that help protect the seller and the buyer. Also, check with your credit card company to see how they can assist you with recovering money after a bad transaction. Lastly, use your common sense! Look for clues which will fish out a crook. Buying something from a member on these forums should be easy, but it can get ugly. Luckily, I've never had a problem with any member transactions, nor vendors. __________________ cRly Sue
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05-30-2010, 01:19 PM	#6
bavarianboar Lieutenant Colonel 332 Rep 1,771 Posts Drives: 2020 540i, 2020 430i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NorCal iTrader: (0)	If in same country, fly down meet the current owner, take a test drive, get some real information about the person whom you will be dealing with. Then move forward. I would not finalize things on the internet or so. It is good to trust people but it is better to be safe than sorry. Exercise Caution and be judicious with your money. Good luck
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05-30-2010, 02:01 PM	#7
BayMoWe335 Colonel 1176 Rep 2,132 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Educate yourself before doing anything like this. You are totally in the dark...
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05-30-2010, 02:10 PM	#8
mycoupe Banned 55 Rep 1,495 Posts Drives: 07 335i coupe 6spd Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: cincinnati, Ohio iTrader: (5)	no paypal, no purchase!
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05-30-2010, 02:54 PM	#9
gun6slinger9 Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 268 Posts Drives: 428xi Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Calgary Canada iTrader: (0)	If they are serious sellers they would not expect you to mail them cash. Cash only raises flags already. Based on your eagerness I would assume that you are getting a "good" deal. If you really feel the need to go through with this i would do half now half on receiving the item, just so you dont lose too much.
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05-30-2010, 03:13 PM	#11
MaxBoost335 Private First Class 18 Rep 167 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 DCT ZCP Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	DON'T DO IT, cash only almost always gets you screwed and you have no recourse. If a seller really wants to sell something, he/she would at least have a verified paypal account. Like others said, unless you can go pick up in person, don't do cash.
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05-30-2010, 08:14 PM	#12
cb1111 I ask the questions you're afraid to ask. 44 Rep 2,489 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DC iTrader: (2)	Always but the seller, not the product. What kind of reputation does he (she?) have on the board? The "I'll only take cash" certainly sounds like a dealbreaker. How does he expect you to send him the cash - in a plain brown envelope? As a buyer, I wouldn't even *want* cash - I'd want paypal to assure that I actually get the funds - and I'd be smart enough to price my items to assure that the paypal fees are covered. I'd pass unless this poster has a stellar reputation on this board.
	Appreciate 0 Quote