Buying, Selling and Trading Techniques

[Victor78]

I would like to see how other members on the board insure themselves when doing a trade or sale over the internet. Recently, I was in contact with a person out of state via email, and hours of phone conversation talking machines, records, cylinders and so on. We both had a few items we talked about trading and selling to each other. After more conversation, we decided on our trades, I would ship my stuff to him, and he would ship his stuff to me. I packed my things up, sent them off at the post office. In the mean time, the other person and I were in contact, and he sent an email stating that he had shipped his things as well. Cool, I couldn’t wait! New cylinders to listen too! After a few days go by, I sent a few emails, and left voice mails to this person, and I have never heard anything back, and of course, the things that he supposedly shipped, never show up. I contacted my post office and showed them my insurance ticked, they looked it up, and it was delivered two days after I sent it out. I have a print out of the mail track and delivery from their internal postal software. I could understand if there were issues in the family or whatever, but no contact from this person has been made, it’s a shame. No money changed hands as this was going to be taken care of after we both received our goods.

I’ve sold and traded amateur radio equipment for many years, and never had an issue, as well as eBay transactions. Has anyone had similar situations and how did you handle them?

[Zeppy]

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. I guess I've been pretty lucky, particularly as I've trusted individuals with rather expensive parts (but on the same token, others have as well, and as far as I know, I've never shafted anyone). I've mailed checks to individuals I've never met before for parts, I've mailed motors to people for servicing and never got shafted there either (and not particularly common parts either).

Sure, I've had my run in with crooked Ebay sellers, but I almost expect that. I've heard the odd story about actual collectors screwing fellow collectors, but I never really wanted to believe it. It really saddens me to think there are people out there that don't appreciate the fact that we have a rather small niche community going on here, and at some point, you may need to turn to that community again for something. Sadly, I don't think there is much we can do to protect ourselves from people how gain our trust only to screw us over in the end. I think of where I would be now if I never trusted anyone I met in over the internet, and I'd be sitting at home with only a VV-X. All my other machines I picked up on the internet. All of my projects had parts I picked up from the internet, or parts that I sent out to be serviced by people I met on the internet. I guess you just take the hit on the chin, and drive on, and hope the person's reputation catches up with them.

[brianu]

any chance he just got busy and didn't send the things as quickly as he'd hoped and you'd liked?

beyond that, who is this person? perhaps someone on the forum here knows him or has heard of him and may be able to offer some assistance.

[brianu]

well, either way... I'm sure people here will figure out who this is sooner or later and he'll be blackballed accordingly, for want of a better phrase. using a forum like this to make a contact and then rip that contact off is lame beyond words. perhaps this person for whatever reason indeed does have things suddenly going on in his life such that he's just terribly distracted at the moment... nevertheless, it doesn't justify a failure to simply answer or respond to a phone call or email with a brief note to just reassure you with a simple explanation. I encountered a similar situation through ebay a couple of years ago and it was frustrating to no end... in any event, you know who this is, you have all the contact information, and you have a record through the postal service. save your emails. if push comes to shove, you can pursue a criminal complaint which, actually, would involve possible federal charges being that the - potentially stolen - items were obtained through the mail and across state lines, etc. good luck.

[phonophan79]

When I first started collecting, I bought a collection from a gentleman selling his late uncle's collection. (about 6 machines + plus some accessories)

Being in my 20's, I didn't have a lot of cash flow... so he allowed me to send him payments until it was all paid in full.

We actually sent each other contracts in the mail and each kept a copy with the others signature and information.

I realize this does not happen all the time and sometimes we are in an unprotected situation... as Zeppy said, I have had the occasion where I blindly sent a check in the mail for parts or repair.

Thankfully, I haven't had any bad experiences. I agree with Brian, if someone is using this venue for those mal-intentions... they should be brought to the light.

Please do let us know how it turns out.

[Valecnik]

When I first started collecting, I bought a collection from a gentleman selling his late uncle's collection. (about 6 machines + plus some accessories)

Being in my 20's, I didn't have a lot of cash flow... so he allowed me to send him payments until it was all paid in full.

We actually sent each other contracts in the mail and each kept a copy with the others signature and information.

I realize this does not happen all the time and sometimes we are in an unprotected situation... as Zeppy said, I have had the occasion where I blindly sent a check in the mail for parts or repair.

Thankfully, I haven't had any bad experiences. I agree with Brian, if someone is using this venue for those mal-intentions... they should be brought to the light.

Please do let us know how it turns out.

I've had two bad experiences with strangers on eBAY but fortunately for small dollar amounts.

Fortunately I've had many more experiences where I blindly sent a check to someone, in some cases substantial sums, after a few phone conversations as Walt had done, but the goods were always delivered as expected. I've also been involved in "time payment" situations sometimes where the seller let me take the goods before full payment.

Fairly recently a known collector let me take delivery of some substantial machines based on a downpayment and my promise to pay a certain amount per month. I paid him acc. to our agreement documented which was documented in an email exchange but never signed. I appreciate his trust.

[Victor78]

Just wanted to update this thread: I have been contacted by the person via email, giving reasons for the absence. From the beginning of this, Ive wanted to give the 'benefit of the doubt', and at times it was hard to continue positive thinking. I will try and make voice contact tomorrow and discuss the situation and work on fixing it. My intentions of this thread is still, how to cover your butt, and not to do any finger pointing or ruining someones reputation. Am I still a bit upset, and will tread with caution, yes. I think most people would be. But again, I want to work it out with this person and make things correct. When the smoke has cleared, I will update this thread, but it make take a little time. Bear with me as I want to make things ok with everyone. Thanks group!

- Jim

[USlakeside]

I actually had someone from this board trust me and send me records in total confidence which I paid for when I received them. It was a unique act of kindness that I rarely, if ever, have seen.

That being said, I would NEVER trust anyone without a guarantee like paypal holding money until the post office clears the package etc! The person who sent me records could see they were being sent to a business that I worked for (my names on their website.) so it was a bit of a safe guard. However, they still took a big risk! It wast a $2500 phonograph risk, but it was still a descent amount of records. But I can't understand how you would send money and especially actual items in without a strong check and balance system? Maybe its generational, I am 25, and I don't trust people readily.

I hope it works out for you!

[SonnyPhono]

That's a pretty good idea Brian...lets blackball this guy! That'll teach 'em!!

[brianu]

That's a pretty good idea Brian...lets blackball this guy! That'll teach 'em!!

blackball for want of a better term... not looking to teach anyone anything, instead hoping - if the situation lacks an innocent explanation or can't be resolved - that the person be made known to others through this community to avoid anyone else having to deal with such needlessly stressful and dishonest nonsense. I think enough people here already know who this is though, so no matter.