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Beware of Online Auction Scams

Justin Mongiardo
Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada

Participating in online auctions might seem appealing.  After all, they are a great way to get products you can’t find anywhere else or find what you want at a cheaper price.  However, it is important to be safe and watch out for scams.  Not all auctions are legitimate, and the informed buyer must protect his or her self from falling victim to a less than honest participant.

A great way to avoid a problem is to check the seller’s rating from other customers.  Be wary of those with perfect records.  This might mean the seller has somehow manipulated feedback or had others post fake feedback.  To investigate this, view the seller’s history.  If a lot of products were sold for really low prices, like $1.00, it’s likely they were fake sales to get positive feedback.  If possible, you should send the seller a private message or e-mail with any questions you may have.  Also, read the product description carefully.  Good sellers are those that provide the most detailed depictions of their products and clearly state any flaws.

One popular scam is known as “shilling.”  This is when the seller or their acquaintances participates in an auction just to raise the price.  Doing this forces the winning bidder, a real buyer, to pay a higher price than necessary.  To avoid being a victim of shilling, know what you are buying and what it is worth.  This way you know to stop bidding if an item goes way beyond its true value.

Another common problem is not getting the product you were expecting.  Just because a seller posts a picture, don’t assume it is a legitimate photo of the product you want.  Read the description of the product carefully, and compare it to the image.  Are there any major discrepancies?  Also, look for signs of editing. You may also want to perform a quick image search on the web to make sure the photo you are viewing didn’t come from an outside source. Finally, save the image to your computer.  That way, if you do have a problem you can prove your case later. 

If you do run into a problem, there are steps you can take to get your money back.  First, contact the seller with your complaint.  Give them a chance to respond, and keep a record of all communication.  If the situation is not resolved, contact the auction site.  Present them with any evidence you have against the seller, and let them handle it through the proper channels.  Most major auction sites do have the resources to resolve disputes between buyers and customers. 

The best way to protect yourself from fraud is to stop it before it happens.  First, make sure you have chosen a reputable auction site.  A good site should require sellers to provide credit card information for identification and have proper channels for dealing with disputes.  Additionally, see if you can use an escrow service with the site.  This means you put your payment into a holding account until you receive the product and release the money.  Finally, always pay with a credit card or PayPal account.  These options offer added security as opposed to some form of cash payment.

By following these simple tips, you can save yourself a lot of wasted money, not to mention stress. Be sure to get all the information you can before you shell out money. As long as you pay attention and use reputable sellers, online auctions can be a great way to buy things you want and enjoy the thrill of the competition.

About the Author:

Justin Mongiardo
Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Beware of Online Auction Scams