New Members: Advice on Buying, Selling, and Shipping

[ridewiththewind]

If you are buying or selling....do your research!! Don't just rely on the iTrader results, as they can be, well....unreliable. It's not difficult to see the members who have been here a while, so send a PM and ask! Also, do a search on the member who is buying or selling...read through ALL the threads...there can be a wealth of information there. When in doubt, spend the extra money for the peace of mind of escrow...the extra few dollars can be the difference between a nice deal, or a bad nightmare. There is no cue or case that is worth being ripped off for!!!!

Okay...on to the shipping stuff. Bottom line is really very simple....package and ship the item you are selling as if you are shipping it to yourself. Would YOU be happy receiving a package that was poorly packed?! Would YOU be happy receiving a package that was not fully insured against damage and loss?! Would YOU be happy if the shipping carrier left the package on your doorstep all day, leaving it open to possible/probable theft, because no signature was required?!

Buying, selling and shipping is NOT rocket science! The Golden Rule applies here.....treat others as you would wish yourself to be treated. Use a little common sense, and quit leaving yourselves open to becoming a victim!!!

 

[ridewiththewind]

I really have to say, that with the number of rip-offs and other bad deals, I'm rather dumfounded that this thread has not received even one view.

Caveat Emptor!!

 

[chadsens]

Some great advice.... hope people take the time to read... and follow! :thumbup:

 

[taemin952]

NIce!

+1 . Well said and thanks for keeping this topic in the foreground.

 

[ridewiththewind]

+1 . Well said and thanks for keeping this topic in the foreground.

Thank you. With so many new members, I just thought I'd put it out there.

We all want to save a penny when we can, but if you cut corners, eventually you're gonna get bit.

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[GoldCrown]

Good thread thanks. Aside from researching the seller ...shipping & packing correctly is everything. A properly packed cue will alleviate at lot of hassle & inconvenience.

 

[Rivhardo]

New or seasoned members. .does mot matter...you would be suprised how poorly some of the well known high volume sellers package their cues. I sometimes just shake my head and think how lucky I am it was not damaged.

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[Spimp13]

Lisa, while what you say in here I believe is fairly common sense stuff, we still continually see bad deal threads popped up so it is a good reminder to all . The one thing I can add which is a broken record but people seem to forget or just disregard is ESCROW, ESCROW, and then ESCROW. If the seller/buyer refuses to do it even if you offer the $ for the service...well then pass on the deal. There will always be cues or other nice items out there for you to pick up.

 

[erriep]

thanks for this reminder !

just a little tip for oversea shipping : in addition to the CN23 customs invoice, do not forget to put a normal invoice on the external side of the parcel -not inside the parcel-, with details of the content, price paid including shipping costs & payment method used . It will help a lot, as for example, the european customers. . You know how painfull it can be , when it comes to deal with the customs !

 

[flyvirginiaguy]

I agree with all but the signature required. I work an 8-5 M-F, so that signature stuff is ruthless. I will always ask about it before I buy.

Some say, well you can always pick it up at local Fedex if missed. Well not when the closest fedex hub is an hour and a half away. :angry:

 

[lakeman77]

I shipped a small 35mm camera to Mexico a few days ago. From Chicago to Mexico City, UPS wanted $215 for regular delivery. DHL was $120, same service. I insured for full value. I suspect shipping cues would be around the same money. Be careful before you agree to pay shipping out of the country.

 

[allanpsand]

If you are shipping a cue, those triangular boxes are great shipping containers. Use the foam pads as wrapping.

 

[classiccues]

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=291828&highlight=shipping+advice

JV

 

[ridewiththewind]

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=291828&highlight=shipping+advice

JV

Thanks for the link Joe....more great info!

Honestly...with the wealth of information and experiences available here, there is really no excuse for not knowing how to navigate the W/FS section safely and for deals not to go more smoothly.

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[or1pkt]

Maybe I'm old school but I think the itrader carries a lot of weight for me...as long as someone has good double digit itrader I'm pretty fearless and will do business.

 

[ridewiththewind]

Maybe I'm old school but I think the itrader carries a lot of weight for me...as long as someone has good double digit itrader I'm pretty fearless and will do business.

The problem with the iTrader is that the rating can come from anyone...not necessarily from a buyer or seller...which can make it unreliable. It is meant as only a 'guide'...and certainly is not a guarantee. Which is why it always pays to dig a little deeper by doing a search on who you are dealing with. Otherwise, you are leaving yourself wide open.

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[Pre-Flag Master]

Another note. When paying for your item using Paypal, do not send the money as a "gift". You should send the money using the correct option, which is something to the effect of "goods purchased".

If you "gift" the money, you have no recourse with Paypal if you don't receive your item.

Some people choose to send payment as a gift to do a favor for the seller and save him a little money on the fees. But Paypal is providing a service and they deserve to receive their fair share for providing that service. Heck, if I owned Paypal, I would charge a fee for gift payments too. They are providing a transfer of funds service either way.

But back to the main point, as a buyer, protect yourself and don't use the "gift" option when making a purchase.

Fatz

 

[ridewiththewind]

I agree with all but the signature required. I work an 8-5 M-F, so that signature stuff is ruthless. I will always ask about it before I buy.

Some say, well you can always pick it up at local Fedex if missed. Well not when the closest fedex hub is an hour and a half away. :angry:

I am actually surprised about this, as I live in the toollies, and have several stations as pick-up options. An hour and a half away is Seattle...and there are plenty between here and there! I would assume that due to the denser population of the East Coast, that there would be even more options to you. Even so...I would rather drive the hour and a half to retrieve my package than risk someone following the carrier around and grabbing my package off my stoop, because no signature was required.

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