How to Avoid Online Auction Scams .:. Title

How to Avoid Online Auction Scams

If you can't afford to buy something brand new or find that it is no longer available, the best place to get it is in an auction. Normally, you go somewhere to see the item and bid on it but you can do the same thing online. Sadly, there are those who victimize interested buyers and here is how to avoid it.

You should understand how the auction works. Many of these online sites simply allow an individual to post an item without doing a background check to see if the item really exists. They cannot guarantee that the seller will give the item once payment is made.

It would be a good idea to check out the seller before you bid. Some auction sites have feedback forums. You can get in touch with the local consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau. Remember, just because the seller does have a clean record, it does not mean that everything will go well.

Never make deal with sellers or buyers from other countries. The laws there can be different so the chances of getting justice in the event that you are scammed are slim.

If you are bidding on an item, make sure you get the contact number, physical street address, landline number and email of that individual. This will make it easy for you to get in touch with them should there be a problem. If this is not offered, then don't do business with them.

Some auction sites provide insurance so the buyer will be able to get something in the event that things go south. If they do, read the terms of the insurance carefully because this is the only thing that could save you if you have been scammed.

There are different ways of paying for an item through an online auction. If the item was paid for using your credit card and you never got the item, you can under the Federal law dispute these charges when the bill comes. If you paid using something else, ask them how this can be resolved.

You may use bonded sellers. Their job is to do a background check on the seller before a transaction is completed and promise to give your money back if that seller doesn't fulfill their end of the bargain.

If the item is quite expensive and this cannot be covered by insurance or bonding, consider using an escrow service. They will take your payment and forward it to the seller once you confirm with the delivery of the item. Just be sure they are both licensed and bonded.