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Buying Online, How To Determine If Someone Is Legitimate

  • 23-12-2009 7:41pm
    #1
    Saltour Sossiez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 277 ✭✭


    I posted an ad on Gumtree and got a response from someone who claims to have the item that I am looking for.
    I'm just wondering what can I do to determine if this person is legitimate.

    What kind of questions should I ask and what information should I know before paying for the item?


Comments

  • #2
    Saltour Sossiez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 277 ✭✭Saltour Sossiez


    Things like name and address are quite obvious but I'm wondering what other kind of things I could ask for to know if the person is legitimate. :cool:


  • #3
    jor el
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    If they ask for Western Union payment, ignore them. If they live in Nigeria, ignore. Your best bet is to meet in person, otherwise anything you do will be a risk.


  • #4
    nava
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,739 ✭✭✭nava


    jor el wrote: »
    If they ask for Western Union payment, ignore them. If they live in Nigeria, ignore. Your best bet is to meet in person, otherwise anything you do will be a risk.

    Good points, also ask them for a picture of the item but have a paper next to it with date and Gumtree user ID, that way you know he has the item.


  • #5
    Nody
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 18,375 CMod ✭✭✭✭Nody


    If it sounds to good to be true (price/quality/shipping costs) it is.


  • #6
    Bob Z
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,587 ✭✭✭Bob Z


    Saltour Sossiez wrote: »
    Things like name and address are quite obvious but I'm wondering what other kind of things I could ask for to know if the person is legitimate. :cool:

    i have never used gumtree but i have used ebay a bit. You could try asking technical or in depth questions about the item eg if its a laptop ask what operating system it is

    But this is no guarantee either they might own an item and not know about it or have a 'hot' item and know a good lot about it


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  • #7
    Saltour Sossiez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 277 ✭✭Saltour Sossiez


    jor el wrote: »
    If they ask for Western Union payment, ignore them. If they live in Nigeria, ignore. Your best bet is to meet in person, otherwise anything you do will be a risk.

    True. I've asked them can they meet in person or even put the item on ebay so I can get it through the buy it now option. I think I would be somewhat protected paying by paypal that way.

    nava wrote: »
    Good points, also ask them for a picture of the item but have a paper next to it with date and Gumtree user ID, that way you know he has the item.

    Good idea. I asked them to do that and I haven't received a response yet. It's been like 4 days but I've sent another email now.
    Nody wrote: »
    If it sounds to good to be true (price/quality/shipping costs) it is.

    True. It seems a very good deal to be honest. I'm very sceptical.


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