Sell/Buy Safety Tips - UPDATED Sept. 2013

In all of the thousands of completed sales and trades on Dyxum we are aware of only three fraudulent transactions in the sell/buy forum which resulted, in one case, in a Dyxum member paying for an empty box.



Thankfully, these cases are extremely rare on Dyxum with all three cases in our forum’s history being perpetrated by one individual (who used multiple identities and IP addresses).



While the sell/buy forum is clear in stating that “All deals are between forum members, Dyxum.com cannot and will not take any responsibility” the admin and moderator team think it is worthwhile to include some simple ‘do’s and don’ts’ which you can apply to any ‘distance’ purchase not just ones from the Dyxum sell/buy forum.



Even the most experienced online shopper can get ‘caught’ by a determined fraudster.



Most of these guidelines are simple common sense, but it is doubtless better to read these now rather than to be wise after the event.



The overarching ‘rule’ of any distance sale is ‘caveat emptor’ or buyer beware. if you do not know the person to whom you are selling or buying from, then deal with caution. Most transactions are completed without any problem but it is wise to be cautious, especially if you are dealing with someone for the first time.



The ‘Do’s and Don’ts’



Do describe any item for sale completely and honestly.

Do include pictures and contact details.

Do check if the seller or buyer has any positive feedback on other forums or auction sites.

Do use your credit card for payment via PayPal or similar services, but not your debit card. Debit cards do not always have the same amount of fraud protection.

Do ask yourself if the deal is ‘too good to be true’, a L/$100 price for a L/$1000 lens is unlikely to be genuine.

Do check if someone has joined a forum simply to buy or sell and has no other interaction with the site. Most deals with ‘newbies’ are concluded successfully, but it is wise to be cautious.

Do keep copies of all paperwork. Print the original listing. If things go wrong a ‘paper-trail’ can make things much easier to resolve.

Do check who you are dealing with. Get FULL contact details including a landline number and a postal address that you can verify with White Pages or similar.

Do check the total cost of any item before you commit to buy. Is the postage cost reasonable? Will you have to pay customs or other charges if you are importing an item?

Do agree a delivery method and timescale and use a tracked or signed-for mail or courier service wherever possible. Also ask for a link to tracking data from the seller.

Do ensure that any items you send are adeqautely insured.

Do agree to buyer collection if it is possible but take reasonable steps to protect your safety and minimise risk.

Do ,if practical, offer to collect the item. Scammers will normally reject this. If your request is denied for any implausible reason, then walk away. If the item offered was on Dyxum see the following 'do'.

Do alert the Dyxum moderator and admin team, by using the 'Report Post' button, to any forum sales that you consider are suspicious.





Don’t complete any transaction if you feel at all ‘uncomfortable’ with any aspect of the description or the details you have been given.

Don’t’ ever e-mail your bank account or credit card details.

Don’t use wire transfer services as a method of payment.

Don’t be rushed into anything. If selling, avoid the ‘low-ball here’s the money’ offer. Equally avoid the “Discount if you buy now” deal.

Don’t panic if your delivery is a day late, sometimes even the best postal services and couriers have delays. Inform the buyer or seller but don't panic.

Don’t ship anything until you are 100% sure that you have received payment. Check e-mails notifying you of payment very carefully to ensure that they come from a trusted source.

Worth noting It is also worthwhile noting that payments by 'PayPal Gift' offer little, if any, protection if a dispute arises.




Edited by nigelbrooks - 11 September 2013 at 14:44