I recently came upon some valuable cues that I would like to post for sale here on AZ. After reading all the threads on deals gone bad, and having no experience in private online transactions myself, I was hoping to get some advice from those of you who know more than I. Mainly what I'd like to know is this: Is there ANY way, through paypal or otherwise, to complete a transaction where both the seller and the buyer have 100% protection against getting screwed? I am aware of the escrow service offered on the Wanted/ For Sale page, however I'm not 100% comfortable with the idea of an unknown middle man. Is there any other way? Any advice or insights would be hugely appreciated. Thanks.
Help! Need advice on selling cues through AZ...
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I Trader
Look for a 100% I Trader rating with multiple sales. It is below the Avatar. Just click on the I Trader number and it will bring up the comments concerning the transactions. Use mine if you like for an example. Hope this helps.
Wedge
Look for a 100% I Trader rating with multiple sales. It is below the Avatar. Just click on the I Trader number and it will bring up the comments concerning the transactions. Use mine if you like for an example. Hope this helps.
Wedge
I agree with what you say being one way to impove the odds of a smooth transaction. However if one only buys from people who have already developed a record of sales, then only the same guys can sell anything on the site. Everyone started with zero iTrader so why not give others a fair chance? Saying that one should only buy from someone with a long history of selling may cause them to miss out on a good deal and at the very least seems to indicate that the casual seller isn't to be trusted.
If the escrow didn't work you would see 1000's of posts about not using it. The fact that nobody ever complains about it means that it works. I know a red flag goes up for me if I ask "are you willing to use escrow" and get a negative response.
You won't get screwed with using Fast N Loose as an escrow service and you most likely will have an easier time selling if you put "willing to use escrow" in the for sale thread. While you are unsure about using an unknown escrow service, more people will be concerned about buying from an unknown seller.
You won't get screwed with using Fast N Loose as an escrow service and you most likely will have an easier time selling if you put "willing to use escrow" in the for sale thread. While you are unsure about using an unknown escrow service, more people will be concerned about buying from an unknown seller.
Cost of Escrow
What is the cost of an escrow service? You would have to pay insured shipping to the escrow person and then pay insured shipping to the buyer and I assume a fee to the person providing the escrow service. So on a $1,000 cue that would cost me about $50 to ship what is it now?
Wedge
What is the cost of an escrow service? You would have to pay insured shipping to the escrow person and then pay insured shipping to the buyer and I assume a fee to the person providing the escrow service. So on a $1,000 cue that would cost me about $50 to ship what is it now?
Wedge
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I can understand your concern, however judging from your zero itrader there will be more issues with buyers wanting to take the risk of getting a cue from you, rather than issues with you receiving payment. if in fact your cues are that valuable, most buyers will insist on either you sending the cues first, using an escrow, or making the deal in person.
Depending on the cue, you may want to try selling to a reputable dealer such as Cornerstone, you send the cue, when Bill gets it he will send you a cheque, you cash cheque..... Simple.
You may get more from a private sale, but factoring in your low itrader affecting your sale price, fees for paypal, wire transfers, and potential risk if you don't deal with a reputable AZ'er. It may not be worth the hassle.
Depending on the cue, you may want to try selling to a reputable dealer such as Cornerstone, you send the cue, when Bill gets it he will send you a cheque, you cash cheque..... Simple.
You may get more from a private sale, but factoring in your low itrader affecting your sale price, fees for paypal, wire transfers, and potential risk if you don't deal with a reputable AZ'er. It may not be worth the hassle.
to the op;
you are getting some excellent responses to your question, which, btw, was very smart of you to post.
I will also assure you that fast-n-loose is someone you could trust *any* valuable cue with. His rep is beyond reproach.
good iTrader records with an abundance of positive comments are a pretty good indicator of whom you might be dealing with but this is not as safe as the escrow option.
GL
best,
brian kc
you are getting some excellent responses to your question, which, btw, was very smart of you to post.
I will also assure you that fast-n-loose is someone you could trust *any* valuable cue with. His rep is beyond reproach.
good iTrader records with an abundance of positive comments are a pretty good indicator of whom you might be dealing with but this is not as safe as the escrow option.
GL
best,
brian kc
Providing positive reinforcement to a newbie seller without ridiculing him first? Are you trying to change our forum's bad boy image?
Goodonya Brian, if I didn't know any better ida figured that you've been hanging around that Canadian Pool forum too much
There was a time on AZ when it was important to have a known member vouch for you.
We don't see that much anymore, but deals gone bad, haven't been a big problem.
There are some unscrupulous people out there that keep returning under different aliases, we know their names, and they are always a concern.
A real sneaky one is Brian Kozy in Pennsylvania, and a few cuemakers have ripped a bunch of people off like Lee Pepper, Arnot Wadsworth, and Tony Zinzola.
Escrow is one way to go, especially if it is a high end cue.
If you ever have any questions let me know.
Good luck
Ted
We don't see that much anymore, but deals gone bad, haven't been a big problem.
There are some unscrupulous people out there that keep returning under different aliases, we know their names, and they are always a concern.
A real sneaky one is Brian Kozy in Pennsylvania, and a few cuemakers have ripped a bunch of people off like Lee Pepper, Arnot Wadsworth, and Tony Zinzola.
Escrow is one way to go, especially if it is a high end cue.
If you ever have any questions let me know.
Good luck
Ted
Thank you to everyone for the replies. From what I gather it seems the only real options are:
1. Use a reputable escrow service.
2. Deal only with reputable buyers & sellers.
3. Take a leap of faith.
I suppose escrow would be the safest, most reassuring option for both parties, so long as you're willing to pay for the extra confidence.
1. Use a reputable escrow service.
2. Deal only with reputable buyers & sellers.
3. Take a leap of faith.
I suppose escrow would be the safest, most reassuring option for both parties, so long as you're willing to pay for the extra confidence.
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there is also a 3.b option which if you do decide to take "a leap of faith" with someone, you could private message another az member whom you have a lot of comfort with to get their read on the person you are about to do biz with. Just one more safeguard.
there are also smart measures you can take in how your deals are funded and the items are sent that will result in a safer transaction.
best,
brian kc
No there is not. At some point you will have to trust someone.
There are several ways where either the buyer or the seller can be 100% protected but not both.
gr. Dave