Notices |
Hello!
Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.
Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....
Please note that the information requested during registration will be used to determine your legitimacy as a participant of this site. As such, any information you provide that is determined to be false, inaccurate, misleading, or highly suspicious will result in your registration being rejected. This is designed to try to discourage as much as possible those spammers and scammers that tend to plague sites of this nature, to the detriment of all the legitimate members trying to enjoy the features this site provides for them.
Of particular importance is the REQUIREMENT that you provide your REAL full name upon registering. Sorry, but this is not like other sites where anonymity is more the rule.
Also your TRUE location is important. If the location you enter in your profile field does not match the location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected. As such, I strongly urge registrants to avoid using a VPN service to register, as they are often used by spammers and scammers, and as such will be blocked when discovered when auditing new registrations.
Sorry about all these hoops to jump through, but I am quite serious about blocking spammers and scammers at the gate on this site and am doing the very best that I can to that effect. Trust me, I would rather be doing more interesting things with my time, and wouldn't be making this effort if I didn't think it was worthwhile.
|
FaunaClassifieds Site HELP & Feedback Forum Anything of a nature concerning this website, moderators, admin, or anything having to do with how it is being run, should go here. Criticism is welcome, but abusive antagonism is not. THIS IS NOT THE FORUM FOR FEEDBACK CONCERNING BUYERS AND SELLERS! Such posts are ONLY allowed as replies to classified ads posted by the specific member involved in a specific issue with you. |
04-16-2009, 10:57 AM
|
#1
|
|
Scammers
Hi, I've read multiple listings talking about the scammers here on this site. Can someone give me some suggestions on how to confirm a seller is legit? I've checked the previous posts of 2 sellers I purchased from and saw that they had sold animals before so I felt comfortable purchasing from them. But what about new sellers, how can I check them out or what can I ask of them to confirm they are legit? I posted an inquiry on someone but didn't get a response. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Silver
|
|
|
04-16-2009, 11:16 AM
|
#2
|
|
Hi, Silver. Great question. There are a few things you can do to verify whether/ not the seller actually has a snake or is on the up and up. The best course of action, for me, has been to NOT buy from someone who just joined, has very few posts, or has zero karma or zero/ negative reputation level. There are too many sellers out there with multiple references; for me, it's just not worth the risk.
To ensure they have the animal, ask for a pic with something odd in it (keys, today's paper, a remote control, etc.). It is pretty easy to google search pics and come up with a lot of the scammer's pics. Many people here will recognize a pic if it's from someone else's site. I ALWAYS steer clear of ads that don't post pics - it's too easy to attach an image these days. "Camera not working"? Then don't list it yet.
Never pay with a money order. Ever. Use paypal, which will offer you some protection. A scammer likely won't take paypal, but they could (chime in here, guys).
I think, in the end, ask for their full name, find out all you can about them. If there's no info at all (as you mentioned with the other seller), I always let other people be the guinea pig. It's just not worth the risk, to me.
Anyone who legitimately wants to sell animals should have invested the time and energy to build up a reputation and references before they try to sell here. If they haven't, I don't touch them.
|
|
|
04-16-2009, 11:21 AM
|
#3
|
|
Another suggestion is to use the BOI to it's fullest potential. Do a search for the name or username of the seller. Post an 'Inquiry' on the BOI about the seller to see if anyone has any information (good or bad) about them. It's not foolproof, but it's a tool that has proved it's value over and over again.
|
|
|
04-16-2009, 11:30 AM
|
#4
|
|
See, look at John's post count, karma, trader rating, and reputation level. There's someone to buy from. Except he doesn't seem to sell here......hmm......lol.
|
|
|
04-16-2009, 02:39 PM
|
#5
|
|
Thanks! I didn't realize there was a feedback for buyers and sellers. Guess I better go leave some for the two sellers I made purchases from.
|
|
|
04-16-2009, 02:42 PM
|
#6
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by laterob
See, look at John's post count, karma, trader rating, and reputation level. There's someone to buy from. Except he doesn't seem to sell here......hmm......lol.
|
Thanks! Oh, the eggs are in the oven amigo...i'll have something to sell soon enuff!
|
|
|
04-16-2009, 02:49 PM
|
#7
|
|
2 ovens at least, by the looks of it. That's why I am buttering you up already, so I can get a good deal on some new kids.
|
|
|
04-16-2009, 04:30 PM
|
#8
|
|
The BOI
Quote:
Originally Posted by shocter
Thanks! I didn't realize there was a feedback for buyers and sellers. Guess I better go leave some for the two sellers I made purchases from.
|
The BOI is a great tool for researching your sellers. Hopefully, the people you have bought from are members as well--if not, it wouldn't hurt to suggest it to them.
Become a contributor and other contributors can "Rate this Seller." This is another form of feedback. This is how you build your reputation in this community, as a buyer or a seller.
BTW, welcome to Fauna!
|
|
|
04-16-2009, 05:35 PM
|
#9
|
|
PayPal doesn't offer a whole lot of protection, and a number of scammers have used it. One thing to look for with PayPal is to make sure that the seller is a Verified member. That means that they have gone through a confirmation process, and backed their account with banking/credit card info.
USPS money orders are ok. Taking a USPS money order in the act of fraud bring a person into the realm of Federal crime. Do avoid other types of money orders, though.
Be VERY wary of sellers that insist upon payment via Western Union. Even the Western Union website warns of sending money through their service to people you don't know (I've noticed warning signs in the local store that offers W.U.. too)
Unfortunately, with the steady rise in the number of people selling, it is harder to know who is who. Always ask for contact information - full name, address, phone number. Don't be afraid to check them to make sure they are real. If a person skirts those questions, just move on (be advised, some legit people don't like to do business by phone, so don't take offense to such a statement as long as it is explained...and the number is given. I don't do business by phone, but I will give a customer my number if it is requested. And I will call them, or make arrangements to take their call, if it is necessary to make them comfortable.)
References are a great option, but not everybody has them...and they can be fake. When I am asked for references, I give links to my trader rating, GGC, and BOI threads...all solid stuff that doesn't involve bothering people to confirm. Obviously, it won't always be that easy for you, but common sense is your best guide.
|
|
|
Join
now to reply to this thread or open new ones
for your questions & comments! FaunaClassifieds.com
is the largest online community about Reptile
& Amphibians, Snakes, Lizards and number one
classifieds service with thousands of ads to look
for. Registration is open to everyone and FREE.
Click Here to Register!
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
Scammers
|
Southern Wolf |
FaunaClassifieds Site HELP & Feedback Forum |
2 |
09-25-2008 08:02 PM |
Scammers!
|
Bringerofdoom |
SOUND OFF!!! |
15 |
05-25-2005 08:39 AM |
Known scammers list.
|
reptichic911 |
Board of Inquiry® |
13 |
04-23-2004 12:18 PM |
Know it all scammers.
|
lizzardcomputer |
SOUND OFF!!! |
0 |
02-23-2004 04:27 AM |
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:09 PM.
|
|