Avoiding Scams

clyden93

Hi guys, I'd be interested in hearing about ways that you avoid being scammed. Scams seem to be very common in the collecting world and I'm anxious about sending my money to someone I don't know.

basetsb

Research the person/company you are buying from and see what the buyer feedback says.

oz_in_ohio

clyden93 , Being an ebayer since 2000 , i must say feedback means nothing.... I had a guy
leave me negative feedback because the stamps on his package were not in a
perfect straight line . he even took a ruler, photographed it and sent it to me via
ebay message system so ebay would have it on file. This was only to prove to ebay
he was saying the truth about the crooked line and that had nothing to do with the
sale or merchandise he purchased from me.. He possibly went on a date earlier
and she said no to the obvious , so he punished me for it...lol
You have to give sellers the benefit of the doubt as they are not all wicked.
There are some black sheep but you will come across them in any sort of business
dealings in the past present or future. Me personally , i stay clear or away from
asian and south american countries. I have heard too many fakes are sold there.
I have tried to give you a bit of insight of my experiences however you will do as
you wish. Just remember we will all be burnt sometime in out lives.

OIO

Elcontador

I was fortunate to have a mentor who taught me a great deal about coins and introduced me to a number of the "good guys" in this hobby / business. They, in turn, did likewise. A new company / person must get a thumbs up from someone I trust, or I don't do business with them. Period.

I don't do e-bay. I have met with everyone with whom I have done business. There are a handful of these people who know what I like and can send me material on approval. Everything else involves either I see the coin, or someone I trust sees it and gives me an okay on it.

ldhair

I don't worry much about a few bucks but I have to know the dealer on higher dollar purchases.