How safe are the classifieds

[oliveirs]

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Hello,

 

I was browsing through the classifieds, and I was wondering how safe is it to buy here? In the ebay I can check the sellers feedback, and I have the paypal protection, but here... do I have any kind of protection? Is there anyway to get some sellers info?

 

Thanks.

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[spylaw4]

I would have thought that it would be pretty safe to buy here on the Forum - it cetainly has been my experience. You can be sure that if anyone tried something bad it would be broadcast loud and clear and their reputation would be mud!

Communication is the clue of course!

[stuny]

I agree with Brian. I ususally do.

[oliveirs]

I agree with what Brian said. But There's no way to avoid a "scammer" to register in the forum (where he don't participate, so he don't cares about reputation) and scam anyone of us... next week he can be back and register again with a different user (again, just to scam, not to participate in the forum)...

[oliveirs]

In a Portuguese Forum there's also a "buy/sell" section, and there's a place where we can give our feedback about the transactions made with a specific seller/buyer (a bit like ebay), that way when we buy/sell, besides the obvious communication, we know better with who we are dealing... just a thought

[earleygallery]

True. I would only buy via here if I knew the seller from his posts in the forums. Avoid if someone has registered just to sell, same with people whose first post is "I've just inherited a Leica and wonder what it's worth and how to sell it?" - I'm sure some are genuine but I'm equally sure some aren't!

[jacarape]

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The only problem I had here was buying a 75/1.4. After contacting the seller and agrfeeing on a sale, he sold it to another person.

 

Kind of a jerk thing to do, but no biggie. I found another that was LNNB (like new no box )

[newtoleica]

Just take the same kind of care you should on e-Bay with high value items.

- Use Paypal OR

- meet in person and exchange OR

- Get a scanned photo ID and address to prove identity.

[andybarton]

Just e advised that people who register twice (usually) get flagged to Admin and Mods.

[Johnny_Johnson]

Hi Andy,

 

How could you know that they've registered twice? (I would assume that crooks have multiple Email addresses.}

 

Later,

Johnny

[andybarton]

Well, most people have a pretty static IP address. OK, if they are determined crooks they can do things about that, but there are a huge number of spammers and other multiple registrants who get caught every day by the software. There are other tools at our disposal to find and deal with multiple registrants.

 

Some get through, so nothing is perfect, but it does help considerably.

 

As always, "caveat emptor" is your friend in these matters.

[oliveirs]

Do anyone know if paypal offer the same kind of protection for transactions outside ebay?

[thompsonkirk]

You can look up the poster in the member list & see if he/she has been a member for long, & whether or not they post frequently. You can also look at specific posts. I doubt someone in the Forum community would be dishonest toward another member. If someone did that, the Leica Mafia would break their lens caps.

 

Kirk

[roguewave]

I purchased a lens last year from a member & the transaction was superb. Also, it helps to support the Forum. I have something for sale now and started with an ad on the Forum, although I also started an auction on Ebay a few days later. I think it's safer on the Forum, particularly if you are familiar with the seller. Also members may be more open to a lower price for the item to sell to a member. Good Luck & feel secure that good things will happen here.

[Gift]

I've been reading the forum for a long time. I have much more to read and learn from you than write and teach. So I have a short quote of inserts on the discussions.

 

But I have bought lens here as far away as Canada (I'm in Spain) and never regret. Always smooth transactions with very kind people.

 

My two cents.

[maurometallo]

I used the classified once: It was a pleasant experience.

I trust the forum members way more than the eBay sellers... As matter of fact I have never dealt with e-Bay in my whole life!

[!Nomad64]

I too tend to believe that a Leica forum user would be fair towards a fellow member. And as others already suggested, I too check that the sellers be actual forum members and did not just register for the sole sake of selling.

If necessary ask for supplementary items pictures. Leica gear is quite solid, but when any transaction involve important amounts it would be opportune to check at your best the item that attracted your attention. especially in the case of lenses pictures won't tell nothing about rattling, wobbling, grinding movements, clicking etc.

 

Cheers,

Bruno