Proper Etiquette for making a purchase from an Internet Forum?

If its ebay, always use paypal-They will pay you back if you get screwed.
If its from a classified ad, you can still use paypal, or if they want money order, etc. I make a point of calling them on the phone to get a feel for them. If they wont give you a phone #, dont bother.
So what is you buying???

If its ebay, use paypal to pay, otherwise its pretty safe there. If its a classified type of deal use email as much as possible, plus a phone call(s), ask for pics even you dont need them. This way you have a bunch of written correspondence, plus pics make it a little harder to scam.

Use either paypal or USPS m/o to pay. Paypal may be able to get your money back if there is a problem. Advantage of m/o is that it gives you an adress, plus makes it a federal crime if you get screwed.

Ive bought quite a few things off corral.net, always used paypal and never had a problem, just use your head and get as much info as possible. If its an expensive item i.e. supercharger/heads etc may want to work out a deal with a buy it now ebay auction.

I'd add that if it's on the Corral, it seems to me that they have a scammers-list somewhere.

Good luck Jason.

Corral has a trader feedback like ebay if you look under their username, theres also a fourm where you can leave feedback that was used a little more before they implemented the trader ratings http://www.corral.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=332 check there for anything good/bad about the seller.

Ive bought alot of stuff on the internet and have only been ripped off once and that was from ebay. I dont buy from anyone unless they have 100% feedback or are close enough to pay them a visit if needed.

Keep copies of every email, PM or anything that involves the transaction.

Ask for pics that have some odd object in the picture that couldn't possible be there before you ask.

e.g. If you are buying heads, ask the seller to place a couple of toy cars, or bottle caps, or something IN the picture to prove that he is selling you legit items that he has.

Otherwise you will be buying a picture he stole from a thread here on SN.

When I bought my STB from some guy here on SN I asked for him to include Stangnet For Sale written on a piece of paper. Granted paper with marker/pen can be replicated with some effectiveness with Photoshop, so it's better to use objects.


I would advise to actually stay away from PayPal altogether.
www.paypalsucks.com

Use money orders through the USPS.
http://www.usps.com/money/sendingmoney/welcome.htm

That way when/if he tries to scam you, it turns into a federal mail fraud case.

Document ALL transactions, communication, and information, trivial stuff can really aid you in a fraud investigation if you have it.

And if you can, have a guy here on SN go check it out in person, before you buy it. There are many individuals on SN that would help you out.

Stick close to and work with the SN/Corral community and you will be less likely to get burned.

Hence, that's an awesome idea. A guy on the Corral (Eric I think his name is) is going through a similar thing. Someone ripped off his pictures and description and used them in an auction. Something like Hence's idea sure would help cut through BS in a similar situation.

Good luck Jason.