Comments:
And if the buyer agreed to absorb all the fees? . . .
. . . frankly, it's the buyer in a transaction that's assuming the lion's share of risk. I understand there's potential for a finicky buyer to leverage Paypal to his advantage over a contentious deal. But is the risk accepted by buyers forgoing the protection of Paypal acceptable?
In my humble opinion: no. An escrow service is a sensible compromise.
Art
I’m against PayPal if buyer also not trusted
But if buyer also has good rep then it’s ok
I think now the best practice is what Chrono24 is doing with secure checkout
I think we should do the same here where the transaction goes through Puristspro and held until both parties have no complaints
Same as to what Airbnb does too
I think now the best practice is what Chrono24 is doing with secure checkout
I think we should do the same here where the transaction goes through Puristspro and held until both parties have no complaints
Same as to what Airbnb does too
Food for thought, Mo. That would imply . . .
. . . responsibility for confirming a watch was genuine, which would consume time as well as expense.
Best,
Art
True but they do charge from seller some percentage
This could also benefit the forum to generate revenue streams to help the platform
Paypal
I am speaking from personal experience on multiple instances as a reputable seller that PayPal is problematic. When you say the risk shared by buyers is a lot significant than that by the seller, it would appear that you may have overlooked instances where the buyer files a malicious complaint to PayPal after having received the watch in good order. This would prompt paypal to impose extremely tedious and unreasonable measures on the seller. In these cases, the risk assumed by the seller is just as great if not greater. Again, I do not see why method of payment accepted by a seller necessarily reflects his integrity and vice versa.
Perhaps, but are the incidences of unsavory buyers comparable . . .
. . . to those of fraudulent sellers? I rather doubt it.
Frankly, if I were buying from someone I didn't know personally, or who wasn't vouched for by someone I knew, Paypal would be the only method of payment I'd consider.
Cordially,
Art
Sad to see, hope that the evil doer gets caught and it is resolved. [nt]
No message body
Thank you for this post and all the work you do to prevent this.
very much apprectated!
GEO
More than ever the golden rule is key : buy the seller !
Of course we are all tempted to buy at the best price but even more important is to get the right piece at the agreed condition. No one including myself of course can say he never made a mistake but for buying a watch, there are indeed few golden rules that I always obey with no exception. Buying a great piece at a bargain price from an unknown seller isn’t my cup of tea : « if there is a doubt, no doubt I don’t do the deal ». I prefer to miss an opportunity than loose my money... Everything has a cost and buying a great piece at its price is normal, I don’t try to be smart and even avoid buying at low price unless I know the seller, the history of the watch, and the reason why it is offered to me at this low price.
In this particular case I don’t know the details but feel sorry for the buyer and thank you for the warning.
Mike
Sorry one slipped through...
Generally the Purists is one of the safest places to trade watches thanks to the hard work and vigilance of our steadfast Moderators.
S
Another angle for verification
You can ask for an address linked to the seller then look it up on Google and also Google maps and use your own judgement to see (1) if he has connection to the address, and (2) if the address looks like the kind of place where the seller of a high-end watch would reside.
This “sniff test” has saved me several times from seller scams.
This “sniff test” has saved me several times from seller scams.
You've mentioned this test before, Mike . . .
. . . and thanks for repeating it in this thread.
Art
Considering the risks involved, monitoring CM . . .
. . . should be a full-time job for someone. I'm just a part-time volunteer, Salman. I've uncovered scores of scammers, but my efforts aren't nearly enough to catch them all.
Art
If I can help in any way please do tell me, I have some experience with the myriad of scams out there [nt]
No message body
If you see a poster on CM you suspect . . .
. . . please let me know. And that goes for every established member of our community - your eyes and ears can be invaluable.
Gratefully,
Art
I was conned in 2010 on a Panerai on this august site
paid usd13k for a watch that didn't arrived. Has a few references, one with a few hundred post counts. God help us all.
Best, Horo
There's been another recent individual scammed . . .
. . . who wasn't a participating member of our community. And for considerably more than your experience, Horo.
It pains me every time I hear such stories.
I posted my Dato last year and....
Was contacted by an Italian “investment advisor” based in Milan. He wanted me to travel to Milan to deliver the watch and conclude the deal in a cash transaction. The issue for his “client” was that he can’t travel with that sort of cash, when I suggested other means of payment, he said he needs to use the cash. Found the story rather entertaining, but thought I’d share incase someone considers it 😀
I actually was offered the same spiel using a known 'Ettinger' name ;) [nt]
No message body
Same exact thing happened with me I thought it was straight out money laundry as they didn’t seem to object to the prices I gave them
Of course I didn’t even consider it for one bit but found it to be very interesting
For one moment I thought Madoff in the house!
Mann for one moment, I though Madoff is out and building his pyramid again in this forum! In age of internet or IOT, beware. In fact, be safe or be saved.