Be careful buying cues from private sellers

Nyquil

Nyquil

Well-known member
I am on several of the billiards for sale forums on FB. I saw my eighth "I have been frauded" thread posted in the last few days. Moderators are starting to send warnings on some of the forums it's getting so bad. I think some fraudsters are taking advantage of this IRS change and using that as a reason not to take pay pal goods and services. Just be careful lad's. Hate to see people get burned from these parasites.

Cheers
Brent
 
I just had someone scam me, lucky I did not take the bait, he tried and tried, finally I had to block the number to get him to stop calling/texting. It is really getting bad out there for people trying to buy/sell cues/cases.
Tom
 
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I just sold a cue to someone on FB, only after I saw his FB page which had been in existence for several years and I was able to conclude that he was reputable. I pass on anyone that doesn't pass my "smell test". I prefer the AZB site as I have always had satisfaction and success with the AZB members.
 
71dewajack said:
Help educate me. If I buy or sell a cue via paypal and I use the Goods and Services method is that a safe approach?
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Selling is less of an issue as long as your not sending out items prior to payment clearing. Buying pay pal goods and services on a credit card is a safe bet. People are paying other ways right now that you can get screwed over like money order, FB marketplace pay, or PayPal friends and family.
 
71dewajack said:
Help educate me. If I buy or sell a cue via paypal and I use the Goods and Services method is that a safe approach?
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Only way. F&F is a sure way to get screwed. I have used it in the past but ONLY with people i knew directly or came with a strong ok from a friend. G&S is the way to go.
 
RickLafayette said:
I just sold a cue to someone on FB, only after I saw his FB page which had been in existence for several years and I was able to conclude that he was reputable. I pass on anyone that doesn't pass my "smell test". I prefer the AZB site as I have always had satisfaction and success with the AZB members.
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I feel the same. I have had great experiences on here buying cues. I think I’ll stick to AZB for buying cues.
 
SBC said:
Just tell them you will pay for the cue after they send it... problem solved.
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You could stipulate that as a condition of sale from the buyer end, but I wouldn't agree to this condition as a seller unless I personally knew you. I don't see what the big deal is with using pay pal goods and services even with the IRS change. Very few are actually making profits selling really high end wood or flipping a bunch of productions. Most of what I see are production cues from private sellers that are trying to unload them at a marginal loss to move on to something else.
 
I was in a pool hall in MI for work, and heard two guys talking about how someone they know stole several cues with doing "trades" and never sent anything back. Probably trades are the riskiest things, with using PayPal at least there is some protection, it's just those that get talked into using FF payment type of cash app or something that is risky to use that get in trouble.
 
I will only buy through FB using escrow unless they are a well known Seller. I bought a really nice cue from someone who turned out to be a good, solid person. But man were they not good at communicating and had really big problems getting the cue shipped. He was an older guy. Had things not been going to an escrow agent, I probably would have had a heart attack.

If you ask for escrow and the seller says no, I'd move on. I get how it easy it is to fall in love with a cue. But buy yourself some schmuck insurance first.
 
JusticeNJ said:
I will only buy through FB using escrow unless they are a well known Seller. I bought a really nice cue from someone who turned out to be a good, solid person. But man were they not good at communicating and had really big problems getting the cue shipped. He was an older guy. Had things not been going to an escrow agent, I probably would have had a heart attack.

If you ask for escrow and the seller says no, I'd move on. I get how it easy it is to fall in love with a cue. But buy yourself some schmuck insurance first.
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Who do you use as an escrow for facebook transactions? Why don't the admins or moderators of a group provide an escrow service?
 
7stud said:
Who do you use as an escrow for facebook transactions? Why don't the admins or moderators of a group provide an escrow service?
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I used Proficient, who charge a flat fee. On big cues, the fee is a small part of the overall cost. Some other escrow folks may not charge a fee.

I think the admins of a FB group are way too informal and want nothing to do with the transactions to be honest. Plus, those groups are huge - the amount of deals taking place over a given time could be a lot of work. There's also some risk to the escrow agent as well. It can be hard to capture everything a buyer cares about, etc.

I was happy with Proficient. They took great pictures, precise measurements, etc.
 
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