Hello NT buy/sell patron's. Lately, I've encountered numerous situations where members have been involved in scams, on both ends of buying and selling.
The Internet marketplace can be a risky emporium to exchange currency for goods. Whether it be shoes, clothing, electronics or any necessity for that matter. You can NEVER be too safe. Taking all necessary steps to avoid complication is crucial and very important. Here; I will provide tips and steps to help ensure both sides of the transaction a delightful one. I will keep this very brief and blunt; and will update this thread periodically..
As a SELLER:
-When dealing in our marketplace or other websites (eBay, etc.), I highly recommend using PayPal. Please be sure to recoginize the address(s) you're shipping to be VERIFIED and your selling protection is eligible. Sending products internationally is something I would not recommend; UNLESS PayPal ensures you protection. Most Provinces and territories in Canada are safe; backed up by PayPal.
-When accepting a money order as a method of payment, please be sure that you receive the money order in correct amount and deposit/cash it in - making sure the funds have cleared and in your possesion before shipping. Your first step in receiving the money order should be inspection of it. Always request a USPS money order. This can be convenient due to being able to cashing it in and also shipping the product at the same time. Always keep in mind that a postal money order (PMO) can only hold a value of $1000.00 domestically, and $700 internationally.
Here are some tips on inspecting the authenticity of a Postal Money Order:
-When shipping your product to the appropriate buyer, ALWAYS request the Delivery Confirmation service. This service is usually an extra $.70-$1.00 charge (free with UPS) but priceless nontheless. If a product is worth $200.00 or more, SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION is recommended. PayPal requires a seller to provide accurate proof that a product your selling arrives accordingly, and this is your only way of showing it.
-After you have shipped the product; be sure to keep BOTH the RECIEPT and DELIVERY CONFIRMATION/SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION slips. Treat these items like cash, hide them in your drawer, under your moms bed, in your dogs mouth - it doesn't matter. PROTECT THEM. If a buyer proceeds to ever file a claim against you, PayPal will require you to show these items to them to prompt your protection.
-Your last step in selling should always be communication. Send a friendly reminder via PM, email or text and let the customer know that you've sent the item(s) out and are in route. Also provide the tracking number/delivery confirmation number in that PM, email or text. If the transaction was concluded via eBay intially or as Private Auction to accompany your selling thread on NT, go to your eBay home page; under add tracking info - click and add. Example:
.
-Also, PayPal has a tab similar to eBay's. ALWAYS be sure to go to PayPal and add the tracking number. Click the details tab under the 'My Recent Activity' section on your home page.
Example:
.
-If the transaction was accomplished in our marketplace here on NT, be sure to update your selling thread. Add a reply and state that the product has been shipped out and provide the tracking/delivery confirmation in that reply.
Taking these necessary and valuable steps can ensure you a safe transaction as a seller. Remember, you can NEVER be too safe.
As a BUYER:
-Your first step in initating a safe transaction after agreeing to buy an item is to request an invoice for that item, via PayPal. Be sure to read over the invoice and make sure all the details are accurate to what's mentioned in the post/listing.
-Always provide the seller a confirmed and verified address through PayPal. More than likely, the seller will only ship to a confirmed and verified address. This also ensures you Buyer Protection via PayPal.
-If the seller requests you to send the funds via GIFT through PayPal, just know that PayPal will not protect you for any loss or 'not as described' items. It is solely up to you as a buyer to choose your method of deliverance of funds to the seller. If the seller is 100% trustworthy and safe with a history of good commerce, go for it. But remember, your protection is ineligible - and this is NOT recommended. (note: most sellers request funds to be sent via gift to avoid paying fees to PayPal for the transaction)
-Be sure to request a tracking number/delievery confirmation after the seller has stated the item being shipped.
-Requesting a private auction via eBay is optional. Doing this could further protect you if you feel the need to.
-After receiving the product, be sure to inspect and ensure the product is 100% as described and authentic. If so, contact the seller and notify him/her that the transation has went as expected and the transaction has been concluded succesfully. Leave feedback or replies to ensure other potential buyers that the transaction you arranged with seller went as planned.
-If you don't ever recieve your product(s) or the product(s) you receive isn't as described; contact PayPal IMMEDIATELY. Dispute the transaction under the Resolution Center tab on your homepage. Be sure to give detailed information on the transaction and exactly what went wrong.
When buying with a money order:
-Always be sure to use a Postal Money Order (PMO - USPS). Always securely seal the envelope you send it in and wrap it with a piece of loose leaf paper. Be sure to send it with signature confirmation to ensure that the seller recieves it. (Note: Buyer Protection is not available if your method of payment is a Money Order. Always be sure the seller is 100% Legit.) Paying with a Money Order is NOT recommended. This same method is applied to when sending Cash.
-Keeping the money order RECEIPT stub is also very important. If for any reason that money order gets lost or stolen, with that RECEIPT stub, the USPS can possibly retrieve that money (see money order's term and conditions here: http://www.usps.com/missingmoneyorders/welcome.htm). This method of retrieving stolen or missing money orders is the same for other MO branded companies aswell.
The Internet marketplace can be a risky emporium to exchange currency for goods. Whether it be shoes, clothing, electronics or any necessity for that matter. You can NEVER be too safe. Taking all necessary steps to avoid complication is crucial and very important. Here; I will provide tips and steps to help ensure both sides of the transaction a delightful one. I will keep this very brief and blunt; and will update this thread periodically..
As a SELLER:
-When dealing in our marketplace or other websites (eBay, etc.), I highly recommend using PayPal. Please be sure to recoginize the address(s) you're shipping to be VERIFIED and your selling protection is eligible. Sending products internationally is something I would not recommend; UNLESS PayPal ensures you protection. Most Provinces and territories in Canada are safe; backed up by PayPal.
-When accepting a money order as a method of payment, please be sure that you receive the money order in correct amount and deposit/cash it in - making sure the funds have cleared and in your possesion before shipping. Your first step in receiving the money order should be inspection of it. Always request a USPS money order. This can be convenient due to being able to cashing it in and also shipping the product at the same time. Always keep in mind that a postal money order (PMO) can only hold a value of $1000.00 domestically, and $700 internationally.
Here are some tips on inspecting the authenticity of a Postal Money Order:
Security features of U.S. postal money orders (PMO)PMOs are generally regarded as one of the most difficult financial documents to counterfeit.
- Watermarks. Telltale watermark when held up to the light should reveal images of Benjamin Franklin, repeated on the left side (top to bottom).
- Dark security strip running alongside the watermark (top to bottom), just to the right. If held to the light, a microfiber strip will show tiny letters "USPS" along its length, facing backward and forward.
- Rainbow of inked patterns and tones.
- PMOs are printed on crisp, clean, textured paper stock.
- Maximum value of $1000 for domestic (US) postal money orders, and $700 for International Postal Money Orders.
- Denominations appear in two locations. If the denomination amounts are discolored, that indicates that they have been erased.
- Ultraviolet features include the above mentioned micro-fiber strip that glows red, and the PMO number on the reverse side and the bottom which will also appear red under UV light
-When shipping your product to the appropriate buyer, ALWAYS request the Delivery Confirmation service. This service is usually an extra $.70-$1.00 charge (free with UPS) but priceless nontheless. If a product is worth $200.00 or more, SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION is recommended. PayPal requires a seller to provide accurate proof that a product your selling arrives accordingly, and this is your only way of showing it.
-After you have shipped the product; be sure to keep BOTH the RECIEPT and DELIVERY CONFIRMATION/SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION slips. Treat these items like cash, hide them in your drawer, under your moms bed, in your dogs mouth - it doesn't matter. PROTECT THEM. If a buyer proceeds to ever file a claim against you, PayPal will require you to show these items to them to prompt your protection.
-Your last step in selling should always be communication. Send a friendly reminder via PM, email or text and let the customer know that you've sent the item(s) out and are in route. Also provide the tracking number/delivery confirmation number in that PM, email or text. If the transaction was concluded via eBay intially or as Private Auction to accompany your selling thread on NT, go to your eBay home page; under add tracking info - click and add. Example:
.-Also, PayPal has a tab similar to eBay's. ALWAYS be sure to go to PayPal and add the tracking number. Click the details tab under the 'My Recent Activity' section on your home page.
Example:
.-If the transaction was accomplished in our marketplace here on NT, be sure to update your selling thread. Add a reply and state that the product has been shipped out and provide the tracking/delivery confirmation in that reply.
Taking these necessary and valuable steps can ensure you a safe transaction as a seller. Remember, you can NEVER be too safe.
As a BUYER:
-Your first step in initating a safe transaction after agreeing to buy an item is to request an invoice for that item, via PayPal. Be sure to read over the invoice and make sure all the details are accurate to what's mentioned in the post/listing.
-Always provide the seller a confirmed and verified address through PayPal. More than likely, the seller will only ship to a confirmed and verified address. This also ensures you Buyer Protection via PayPal.
-If the seller requests you to send the funds via GIFT through PayPal, just know that PayPal will not protect you for any loss or 'not as described' items. It is solely up to you as a buyer to choose your method of deliverance of funds to the seller. If the seller is 100% trustworthy and safe with a history of good commerce, go for it. But remember, your protection is ineligible - and this is NOT recommended. (note: most sellers request funds to be sent via gift to avoid paying fees to PayPal for the transaction)
-Be sure to request a tracking number/delievery confirmation after the seller has stated the item being shipped.
-Requesting a private auction via eBay is optional. Doing this could further protect you if you feel the need to.
-After receiving the product, be sure to inspect and ensure the product is 100% as described and authentic. If so, contact the seller and notify him/her that the transation has went as expected and the transaction has been concluded succesfully. Leave feedback or replies to ensure other potential buyers that the transaction you arranged with seller went as planned.
-If you don't ever recieve your product(s) or the product(s) you receive isn't as described; contact PayPal IMMEDIATELY. Dispute the transaction under the Resolution Center tab on your homepage. Be sure to give detailed information on the transaction and exactly what went wrong.
When buying with a money order:
-Always be sure to use a Postal Money Order (PMO - USPS). Always securely seal the envelope you send it in and wrap it with a piece of loose leaf paper. Be sure to send it with signature confirmation to ensure that the seller recieves it. (Note: Buyer Protection is not available if your method of payment is a Money Order. Always be sure the seller is 100% Legit.) Paying with a Money Order is NOT recommended. This same method is applied to when sending Cash.
-Keeping the money order RECEIPT stub is also very important. If for any reason that money order gets lost or stolen, with that RECEIPT stub, the USPS can possibly retrieve that money (see money order's term and conditions here: http://www.usps.com/missingmoneyorders/welcome.htm). This method of retrieving stolen or missing money orders is the same for other MO branded companies aswell.
