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Topic: Buying Topics
How Can I Spot an Unsavory Seller and Avoid Being Defrauded?
Sometimes it's hard to know who you can trust and who you can't. Here are some of the potential warning signs to look out for when considering whether a given seller is trustable:
- No feedback. This one is kind of a no-brainer, but we mention it here anyway since it should be the foremost caution flag when considering a seller. Understand that while Bonanzle is a new site, every seller has the option of importing their feedback from eBay, so if the seller has sold online before at eBay, then they are likely to have some Bonanzle feedback that shows up. If their feedback rating is 0, it is not necessarily a deal-breaker, but you should remain skeptical as you evaluate other factors.
- They insist on money order. For many sellers, money order is a low-pain option to allow along with Paypal and Google Checkout. But for scammers, money order is the easiest way to get your money and leave you in a position where you have no recourse if the item isn't delivered. Google Checkout and Paypal are much safer options.
- They sell electronics or other high priced goods at unusually low prices. Some sellers really know where to get great deals, but be wary of deals that seem "too good to be true." This is a favorite way that fraudulent sellers lure in unsuspecting buyers into bad transactions.
- They haven't uploaded a profile picture, filled out booth policies, or completed their profile. Again, there are both real and fraudulent sellers that don't invest the time to provide information about themselves and become a part of the community. But those that are heavily involved in the community are generally safer sellers to deal with -- a scammer doesn't usually have the time to regularly post in the forums and fill out a thoughtful profile.
I've Spotted a Suspicious Seller. What Do I Do?
If they're only slightly suspicious, you might try sending them an email to vet them out. Ask for links to other places they sell online and get a sense for their style of communciation. If they are highly suspicious, you can flag their user account, which will alert us to their presence and/or lead to their possible suspension.