I agree with you. I understand why someone selling a part would want to be paid before shipping the part, but the seller should be willing to offer some form of security to the buyer. At least on Ehay, we have the feedback to make us feel a little more secure. If the seller will not accept Paypal or COD, you might consider asking the seller for some VMF references. If the seller can't or won't offer you any security, I would stay away from them. I would rather pay a little more somewhere else.

 

Have bought quite a bit on V-M and sold a few items, too. Have found that people are safe to deal with and always pay with, and ask for payment with: a US Postal MO. While it is not foolproof (what is?) it seems to work. It is mail fraud if I send one and don't receive my mdse. It is a record of payment, also, for the person who buys something from me. Have bought items ranging from a radiator, dashpad, wheel, used body parts, switches, and more. Have yet to get a bad shake. How could a person deliberately hose me on a deal if he/she is a regular on V-M?? Not an absolute guarantee but it seems to work for me and others. Lately, have read some sad stories about companies going South, pocketing money, and not replying to calls. Maybe if they were known by their presence on this forum..........

 

hmmm, i didnt know that about a postal MO. Maybe I would consider that then.

 

Yelostang,
I would say that you are right about 95% of the people who post on VMF, but I would disagree with a postal money order giving you any security. Cash would be just about as secure. I would send a money order to someone like you on VMF, but I wouldn't to just any newbie unless they could provide references.

 

I like Paypal for a few reasons.It gets the money to seller sooner so I can get my parts faster. It shows whether seller is registered with paypal and is similar to feedback. For a small percentage you can add "buyer protection" to the sale. Postal money orders are safe but they add time to the process and to me it is a hassle to stop at post office when I can just transfer money on line. Another word of caution; cashiers checks can have stop payment added after and credit card payments can be charged back to you if buyer disputes. If you use paypal the safest is insist money comes directly from checking account instead of credit card.
Tim
p.s. as a seller I wouldn't do COD. If parts get don't get accepted or buyer renigs, I'm out the shipping

 

Mail Fraud applies to any payment form....except cash

 

As I see it the primary benefit of a postal money order is that there is a record of your purchase and mail fraud is investigated by the postal authorities so that gives you some "teeth" in the event the seller doesn't perform.

I also agree that someone's mere presence here on VMF does not guarantee that you are dealing with someone who is honest. Unless you are going to pick up the goods in person, treat the buy as an arms length transaction with a stranger and use the same caution you would with a non VMF related seller.

 

Ive used a website : Heatware that allows users to give feedback . Most of the people who use it are computer traders but Im sure people here could put it to good use . There is always a "troll" out there looking to scam people . I also think heatware has a "bad trader list" , which might show you a address or email address / contact information of a known internet scammer / troll .
Perhaps it would be good to use here too ?

 

i have bought from guys here and never got burnt use a money order it can be tracked just remember to save the stub
chris

 

A safer way to track the money order is to make a copy of it before you send it. That way it shows the name and amount that was printed on the money order.