Hootie's tips for buying and selling online.

[hootie]

Aloha, ladies and gentlemen. In light of the recent rash of internet sales gone bad, I've decided to offer a bit of my personal experience. The main point is if you are going to conduct business online, do it in a professional manner.

Shipping -
1. Spend a little extra and use DHL, FEDEX, UPS or USPS Priority. That way your customer can track the item with the tracking number you will provide them.
2. Only use regular mail as a last resort as there is no way of tracking the itme.
3. As the seller, as soon as you get the tracking number, email it immediately to the buyer.
4. Keep all documentation. Especially shipping cost receipts.

Methods of Payment -
1. EBay/PayPal is by far still the best way of conducting selling/buying/internet transactions. If you do not have a PP account then your options are limited.
2. Money orders are a bad idea, period. There's really no way of tracking it once it is cashed. The chances of recouping your loss is near ZERO%.
3. Checks/Bank Drafts should be used if PP or other means of payment are not available. At least with a check, there's a papertrail your bank will be able to follow and/or you can canx payment on it..
4. Western Union. Great way to send money, can be easily verified when/where/if the money was picked up.

Customer Service -
1. Once you have started the transaction, it's not complete until the buyer receives the items.
2. Check your email. Your buyer may be trying contact you.
3. Provide a phone number to contact you in case you do not check your emai regularly l and return phone calls when messages are left.

Advertising -
1. A picture is worth a thousand words and gets people more interested in your product than just text.
2. Give as much information on what you are selling as possible including price(s).

Other opinions.
1. If you can't afford to ship the item sold without the payment in hand first, perhaps you shouldn't be selling it.
2. There are bad people out there; buyers and sellers, who want nothing more than to take your money. If there is a report of a bad buy/sell from a particular person, use common sense.

If anyone has anything to add, feel free.

[Edited by hootie on Aug 2, 2004 8:39 AM]

[WytchDctr]

Make this a sticky? :ermm:

Also use common sence. If it seems to good to be true it probably is.

[SRLantra99]

I couldn't agree more...I mean come on people im sure most of us have been around here learning new things for a few years. And I know for sure some people do not have a problem with buying, selling, and shipping things, so to those who do so, I cant thank you enough. So lets take a step up and change the way things work around these pages, to make a memorable experience when dealing with another Hyundai tuner. Not just a tuner but making a new friend to have the most enjoyable time surfing these endless pages of knowledge. I think that everything Hootie listed should be a requirement, but most important tracking numbers and good communication, Not just to follow a RULE, but to be a friend and respect your fellow Hyundai members to insure a worry free transaction.
Thanks
-Dan

[Rudy]

sticky.

[dweet]

the DSM board i hang out on has a buyer/seller's rating similiar to ebay's. Maybe one can be implemented on this site

[Tibbychick]

I would recommend not buying from someone that has a low post count. Also know what you are buying before you give them your money. If its a lot of $$ ask for a lot of pictures. I have been ripped off way too many times on this site because of @ssholes who make false claims. If possible, try to arrange local pickup of items, that way, you can see them before you hand over money.

I would like to post the names of the people here who have ripped me off in the past, but I wont unless I am given permission from the mods.

[jonnyarmani]

post reconstructed based on new information. waiting for situation to be verified before i again throw my two cents in

[Edited by jonnyarmani on Oct 6, 2004 9:35 PM]