Bricklink buying advice - are there scammers?

CommanderRaab

Hello guys
I need some advice please. I saw a set that I was after on Bricklink which is at a nice price. I went to go buy it and noticed that the shop only accepts bank transfer, IBAN, moneybookers.com etc. but no Paypal. I have always paid with Paypal before, so that gave me cause to pause. Also they are a really new shop with very little feedback

Are there scammers active on Bricklink? I mean there must be some. And is the terms of accepting payment a possible indicator? I know Paypal charges a fee but it is pretty standard no?

So just looking for some top tips to avoid getting burnt
Thanks
Rab

samiam391

Unfortunately, there are scammers everywhere. Personally, I avoid any store that doesn't accept PayPal. 

The typical Bricklink "scam" store is a new one that lists 10179, etc for $750 sealed. Otherwise, I find Bricklink to be a pretty reliable place.

Post a link to the store, it's reasonably easy to tell whether or not it is a "scam" store or not.

goshe7

Yes there are scammers, and they prefer to not accept PayPal.  However, I think bank transfer is a fairly common means of exchanging payments in Europe.  So it could just be a new (to everything) seller that wants to use a known payment service.

For comparison sake, I accept PayPal at my BL store, but not Google whatever or Amazon whatever.  Why?  I stick with what I know and what I believe many of my customers know.

You could always contact the store, express your concern, request to pay with PayPal and offer to cover the PayPal surcharge (something like 3-5%).  Stores that accept PayPal have already factored this charge into their list price or explicitly add it to your order.

3stackshs

Years ago I sold on Ebay, had someone buy from me who apparently was up to no good.  They paid me.  Because I received a payment from their account my account was included in the investigation.  Long story short I had $4K held for almost 9 months by Paypal for me doing absolutely nothing wrong.  Never again will I have a Paypal account.  They don't care whose business they ruin. I make payments through them using my CC but would never have an account again.  Could be this is the case.....or it could be a scammer.  I like using a CC through my trusted bank that I know will actually protect me when something goes wrong.

CCC

They are almost certainly a scammer if:
No feedback
No PayPal
High value sets
Lower than average prices

One of those four is OK, but as you get more ticks on the list then the probability if a scam goes up.

CommanderRaab

CCC said:

One of those four is OK, but as you get more ticks on the list then the probability if a scam goes up.

That is exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for confirming. I emailed the buyer and he said he was gonna try set up a paypal account, so that seems a good sign.

@3stackshs said:
 I like using a CC through my trusted bank that I know will actually protect me when something goes wrong.

So is there another way to pay for something and get buyer protection other than paypal? Your comment makes it seem like you get that via your bank? Is that standard, like for all CCs?

3stackshs

PayPal isn't (or wasn't if something changed) FDIC insured. They don't have to follow any of the traditional rules banks due and they can freeze your account and don't have to provide a reason.  

I can pay through PayPal by creating a link by taking the following address and putting the email on the end.

http://paypal.com/xclick/business=

example

http://paypal.com/xclick/[email protected]

this let's you use your cc without an account. 

As as for the cc all providing the same protection yes....in writing they do.  Do you honestly think capital one provides you the same service as American Express?  Some companies follow the law and their guarantees better than others.  

my bank has repeatedly proven they are there for me.  I use their cards with no worries that I am protected.  I would not be able to use other cards with the same confidence.  Just my opinion though.