Buyer beware?

[6brads]

Hello, all:

I'm about to lay down $600 for a Breedlove Quartz OF advertised in the classified section.

The seller wants me to send a Post Office Money Order to a PO Box mailing address.

Maybe I'm paranoid, but how safe is this? Any advice?

Thanks,
Brad

[MikeEdgerton]

Sure, get a phone number and call him. That way you know there's a person at the other end of the line.

[AlanN]

And as long as the PO box is not in Nigeria, you should be fine <g>

[Eric F.]

I've never had a problem buying through the classifieds and they're policed pretty effectively for scammers. I can't think of anyone ever reporting that they did not get a mandolin they had bought here. Postal money order is a common form of payment and lotsa folks have P.O. boxes. I did when I lived in a town too small for home delivery of mail. That said, it's nice to establish a comfort level. Get a home phone number from the buyer and confirm it. Speak with the buyer. You also could ask for references of others he or she has sold to on the cafe. If it's a regular poster to the cafe, that helps to know, too.

[jim_n_virginia]

Ask questions and check up on them. Get a number from him and do a reverse phone check (Google it) you can even do cell phones. Get a name and call directory and get an address. If a person has phone and mail delivered to a PO box that the USPS confirms a local home address (they do here anyways) you should be pretty safe.

I always ask if the person has a screen name and if it is a familar screen name of someone who has posted a lot and participated on the Cafe and been a member for a while, it is a pretty safe bet that you are dealing with an OK person.

I've bought and sold many a instrument from the classifieds and have never had a problem.

[atetone]

That doesn't seem too suspicious to me.
When I sell mandos that is the way that I have to ask for payment.
If you are nervous then by all means phone him. I think it would be worth it just for your peace of mind.
That Quartz for $600 is a good buy too!
I had my eye on it but don't need it, but they are nice mandolins.

[boatman]

I believe that the Mandolin Cafe classifieds are about as secure (and effective!)a sales forum as one could ask for; that being said, I've always just sent (or received) a personal check for purchase or sale. I wouldn't feel all that comfortable sending a postal money order. Regards

[John Hill]

Postal money orders, money orders, certified checks...all very common forms of payment so there's nothing to be scared of there. If you have any odd vibes for whatever reason just call the seller, it makes for a nicer transaction and I'll bet you'll be talking mandos in short order. Or at least I always have whenever I've called or been called by sellers & buyers I've dealt with thru the classifieds.

That IS a good deal on that Quartz though. The good ones always come up while I'm selling to make room or after I've just bought one!

[djweiss]

I'm not the seller, but where I live, the only postal option is a PO Box...the USPS does not do home delivery (FedEx and UPS, do, however).

-DJW

[Brady Smith]

I sell alot of things on ebay and always use a PO Box even though I have the option of using that or a home address. I'm not even sure why but I don't like doing any sort of business with my home address. My vehicles are even registered with my work address. Not uncommon for the use of Po Boxes for various reasons. No worries.

[Mikey G]

I've never had a problem on the Cafe, and have picked up some great mando stuff, and a couple of sweet Gibsons with no problems. I got the lead for my Master Model from the Cafe as well.

[Salty Dog]

My opinion is that if he wants a USPS money order, he is probably straight as the Feds are not kind to scammers who violate federal laws with fraud.

[Eddie Sheehy]

I've never had a problem with the classifieds or Ebay, or Amazon either. I've paid by check, money order, cashier's check, western union, Paypal and Credit Cards. However, I've never paid to a P.O. Box. (never arose). The Classifieds is more like family, I have received instruments on spec for trial periods, although there are sellers who will wait for the personal check to clear - a frustrating week or so for the eager buyer - before shipping - another wait. I feel there is a lot of trust, like a private club, amongst the Classifieds clientele. Of course, one bad deal would fix that. On Craigslist there is a scam going around where you recieve a check (sometimes a cashier's check) far in excess of the instruments worth (say $3,500 for an $800 mandolin). They want you to wire $2,000 to their shippers and keep $1,500 for your "trouble". And boy will there be "trouble" - of course you end up keeping the mando...

If it looks too good to be true...IT IS.

I would be comfortable trusting a Classifieds seller.

[6brads]

Thanks, everyone. I'm really looking forward to learning on this instrument.

Cheers,
Brad

[Salty Dog]

A few years back, I did a very scary thing. #I sent a certified check to a young man I had never met in the amount of $2800.00 (that's real scary)! #This was in response to an e-Bay mandolin ad. #I asked a lot of questions, checked out his web site. #The character and honesty of his replies convinced me he was legitimate (he also offered a 48 hour approval period) so I took a chance. #His name was (and still is) Ben Wilcox and that is how I acquired BRW #12 - a great mandolin (you will not see it in the classifieds as long as I am living). #Sometimes in life you just have to take a chance. #Since then, as listed below, he built #61 to my specifications. #I say be cautious, be prudent, do your homework and then take a chance. #By taking a chance, I reached one of the great pleasures in my life right now - playing and enjoying Ben's mandolins. #In case you're wondering, the answer is no; Ben hasn't done anything for me that he wouldn't do for any purchaser of two of his mandolins.

[Nolan]

Was his name Ted Wigglesworth?

[sumibuilt]

tED tED tED tED..WOO HOO..THE MEMORIES http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif