Unfortunately, I don't know if there really is a great way to deal with crappy situations like this. Where do you draw the line? I have posted fewer than 50 times because I am pretty much a lurker here since I operate under the assumption that most of the people on here know much more than me. I expect that many of the sellers on here are first time sellers because they don't need some gear they have sitting around, not that they are trying to make a living selling on dvxuser. In that case, having a specialized ebay-style marketplace might have the reverse effect by attracting even more scam artists. So far my plan has been to only buy smaller items or talk to the seller over the phone, and I pay using PayPal, so if it is a scam I have some way of trying to get my money back. I'm not sure those are great solutions, but I'm equally unsure that there is really any good way to completely prevent things like this from happening.
GregWilliams2175 - BEWARE
- Thread starter imthinking
- Start date
BrianMurphy
Veteran
I have been reluctant to comment here since this is not a place for commentary but a place to buy and sell things amongst ourselves, meaning colleagues or members of a group. I have bought quite a few things here, don't really post much or comment much since I spend most of my time doing what I do....shooting and editing. I have never been burned and to be frank my experience has been super positive. I have bought from many people and ended up with gear I needed and they needed to sell. I think that the old saying let the buyer beware holds and the other one " if it seems too good to be true it probably isn't " holds too.
I am sorry to hear that people have been screwed on here. I think the mods do an excellent job keeping most of us safe most of the time and the rest is up to us.
I also think that PayPal is a Pain in the Ass! I use it because people here want to use it but have been buying gear for years with money orders without problems. Paypal does nothing other than cost us all money. I find it offensive that a seller demands Paypal and also asks the buyer to pay the fees on top of the cost of the item. As we have all read if buddy rips you off and has ZIP in his account all you end up with in your hands is your......keyboard. So why use paypal? I have yet to read a post where someone has said "thank God I used paypal" most posts are negative or barely postitve in the cases that "buddy the ripper" was just slack at getting the goods out the door and did in deed have cash in the bank. It was still a hell of a long time for those who did collect.
My advice is deal with people who you can contact and that have been around or are willing to give you a phone number or address. If you are in doubt. Don't buy. If you can't verify...pass.
End of rant.