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- An important issue -- and a welcome meeting topic should be "How to Buy
Online"
Helping your members avoide problems is one of the most important services any user
group could provide for members. Fred Showker
 Members Getting
Ripped Off
- A UGN Affiliate Group Member writes:
- >> In January 26, 2002 my kids bought a money order from their bank and
sent the MO off to seller who was advertising on Yahoo Classifieds with an X-box
for $200. This was their Christmas money. The emails my children received promised
that he would send the X-box as soon as he had received the check. The Bank said
the check was cashed on February 5th by the seller himself. As of today (3.28.02)
we have heard nothing and received nothing.
This is becoming a familiar story in the world of online purchases. Having trust
and faith in other people is a good thing, but can also lead to disappointment. Many,
many successful and happy transactions are conducted each month -- but many also
end in disappointment.
As a user group, this is the kind of help your membership could really use. As new
Macs flood into the home setting, users won't always be internet savvy -- and particularly
not ecommerce or online auction savvy.
The group should identify members who have experience in such dealings and make a
meeting program on how to buy from eBay and other online auctions.
1. Always communicate with the seller
Communicate with the seller BEFORE the transaction is consummated. Have the caller
call you on the phone, and utilize the Star-69 function to ascertain the callers
number. This is not 100% sure, but it can help. Be sure payment will be purveyed
to a real person with a real address and financial account. Trackable sellers are
far less likely to rip you off. The best way to judge a seller is by the seller's
track record in the auction site. Always check the credentials.
2. Never send a money order
The capital rule is not to send a money order. It's just like sending two crisp new
$100 bills - cash - and once cashed, there's no tracking or going back. Period. Users
should at once be alerted to stay away from any online purchase that requires only
a money order. If they can't accept credit cards, or don't offer PayPal you might
want to move along and let that one go.
3. Always use a charge card
Keep your charge card payments up to date and establish a good charge card record.
With good accounts the charge card companies are happy to work with you. A Platinum
or Onyx card always carries fraud protection, as does PayPal. Contact your charge
card provider -- they will have differing policies -- make sure yours is able and
willing to help in such circumstances. Do it BEFORE the occasion arises when you
really need it.
4. Utilize PayPal
This sad story could have been prevented if the purchasers would have set up a PayPal
account to handle the transaction. PayPal has a very good consumer protection policy,
and can both track any rip off artists as well as initiate refunds and/or charge-backs
from the charge card company.
5. Report the incident QUICKLY
If you do indeed get ripped off, be sure to quickly contact police in the sellers
local area. Do not wait for the trail to go cold. Rip off pros can post the product,
conduct the auction, collect and cash in the transaction, and erase all traces of
the trail within a few days. Once the trail is cold you've got zero chances of retrieving
your money. After the fact, report the rip off to the RipOff report at: http://www.ripoffreport.com/
This particular story is at: http://www.ripoffreport.com/view.asp?ID=17784
Both eBay and Amazon.com (as do most of the other online auction facilities) offer
extensive tutorials on how to purchase, how to recognize a potential rip-off, and
what to do when one occurs. They also maintain boards where satisfied or dissatisfied
buyers post their comments. Read them carefully. The auction sites also allow you
to contact past buyers for this particular seller. Utilize those services.
Anyone thinking about purchasing needs to learn the ropes -- and the best way to
do that is with a mentor who already knows the specifics. The buyer also must put
those lessons into practice. It's very easy to become infatuated with the 'deal'
and get swept away in the action of the process, ignoring danger signs. It's even
happened to me.
An informed computer user will always have a better chance for a happy ending.
Fred
Remember: The help you get is equal to the help you give.
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