A big "thank you!" to Cl who alerted me to a *potential* scammer in the Great Weekly Exchange (GWE) posts. A buyer contacted her initially through a vague email this week, and then insisted on paying with a USPS Money Order (refusing to use PayPal, a more reliable payment method.) Both Cl and I, have no idea of the actual intentions of the potential buyer (and honestly, it all might be legit,) but money orders are not that secure in terms of payment for online goods. Even though it is an older article, the New York Times has a good piece on USPS Money Orders that is worth checking out: "U.S. postal-order scams surging". Also, check out "Scams targeting eBayers (the check is NOT in the email) : eBay Guides" which takes a look at a several types of common scams.
Moreover, for all buyers and sellers, if you feel something is not right... then stop the transaction before moving any further. Chances are the warning alarm going off in your head, is going off for a good reason. Avoid the headache and move onto another buyer/seller.
If you are new to the GWE posts, I strongly suggest checking out "GigiOfCa's "Tips for a successful sell/swap experience" post. It is a good starting point.
Lastly, any and all transactions are independent of this blog. I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. So it becomes extremely important for the community to help each other out when it comes to validating each other. What does that mean? Well, I have seen many of you already posting comments stating specific JCAs you have had a great transactions with. I think this is great! It helps build "reputations" for those JCAs when it comes to buying/selling. However, please feel free to post about the ones you have had terrible, as well as "meh" or "not so great", transactions with too. You may not be the only one who has that unfortunate experience, and you can help another JCA in terms of what to expect when dealing with that particular person. I know some of you hesitate doing this because you do not want to "call out" the other party, or be perceived as mean. But you are doing neither if you are just stating the facts of the situation. All you are doing is holding the other member accountable. (This might even open a dialogue to clear up any miscommunication, or provide a chance to make things right. That is a good thing!)
If you have anything to add to this conversation, please speak up and share! As Francis Bacon said, "knowledge is power". And as G.I. Joe would say, "Knowing is half the battle!"
Yeah, as much as I hate paying the fees, there is no reason to use anything other than Paypal at this point in time. I remember back in the early 2000's, I'd accept checks and money orders on eBay transactions. But it was a different time. Now, of course, sellers are not allowed to accept money orders as payment on eBay. I think it is more of a protection for the buyer, because a seller could cash the money order and then claim they never received it, and the buyer is then screwed.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to add that I have had nothing but good experiences on the weekly exchange. So, thanks everyone!
To name a few of those who I have had excellent buying/selling transactions with: mommysshoppingagain, suebolster, Pauline, shop316, Sally, gigiofca, Fabulous Florida Mommy, patmosjd, Marisa. There are many others who I only know by their e-mails/real names; not sure of their commenter IDs.
DeleteI refuse to use PayPal for any transaction due to its fees and shady practices. I have used money orders with great success for online transactions. I'm also a huge fan of Google checkout.
DeleteJCrew JD: Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the list of JCAs who you had good experiences with! Both are very helpful. :)
DeleteAli: I have to disagree with you on PayPal. Yes it has a fee, but it provides a safety net for both buyers and sellers. It allows you to share your payment information and have it verified without revealing that personal information. Plus, you can send an invoice with detailed info through them. The only thing that I can think of that might be shady is if someone asks you to send a payment as a "gift" to avoid the fee. If there is something I am missing, please let me know! Knowing more about their services (good and bad) is a good thing! :)
I hate Paypal fees but I suck it up and use them because of the safety in using them. I don't trust sending money orders and definitely don't like to dole out my account information to just anyone. I think that there are payment services out there but Paypal seems to be the easiest and most widely known.
DeleteI've had about 3-4 Weekly Exchanges purchases and have never had a problem which I am thankful for. However I am always wary about the transactions I partake in. It's good to know who provides good experiences.
I don't see how a USPS money order is a big deal. I used to deal with them back in the early 2000s, and the only info you need is the person's name (and address to send the money order to). It's like writing a check. And I don't see why you can't cash it first to see if it will clear before you send them the item.
DeleteI mean, they are entrusting you with their mailing address as well.
Phoebe: I believe the main issue with USPS money orders is that they could be counterfeited. Unless, you know the other party very well, I would not feel comfortable sending a check or money order. Personally, I believe buyers/sellers are much better off with a trusted third party that can verify the funds of the payment are there, as well as the party involved.
DeleteThanks for the heads up to both Cl and Alexis, much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI have always had delightful transactions, but I admit that I do feel more comfortable buying and selling on the GWE with "regular" posters whom I feel I "know," if that makes any sense. I am sometimes a bit wary if someone has unusual transaction requests or appears to be a reseller. I avoid those even if it is an item I've been DYING for.
The GWE is a wonderful thing that Alexis has created ... and many of us enjoy the treasures we have found and have passed on to others who will appreciate them. But I guess it pays to be careful.
I agree Ruffles, I think the GWE is a great resource. And it does not hurt to be a little careful to make sure things go smoothly. :)
DeleteHow can you tell that someone is a reseller?
DeleteI agree, I have had only great experiences. One request I have and some posters do it. Breaking your selling post into sections, like Shoes, Shirts & Tops, Skirts, etc makes it really easy to scan the listings if you are looking for something. Just a suggestion.
ReplyDeleteSorry I should have said the really long listings
DeleteI think that is a good suggestion for long lists! It makes reading through a lot easier. :)
DeleteI also appreciate, if someone is linking to a sale blog or ebay listings, when they reference the size range they are selling. Makes it easy to know whether or not to take the time to click through (I would imagine those listing size ranges have a better chance of selling, too).
DeleteJruby18 and Opheliasmom have been great to purchase from.
Thanks, Alexis, for this great resource!
Most recently, I've had great experiences buying from Okc, Marcy, Conster, Jruby18, and Cate O.
ReplyDeleteI've also had plenty of great experiences selling, but like JCrewJD said, I don't know the commenter ID of the buyers.
I hope we can all speak up and keep this wonderful resource a safe place! I find it so useful and with the rising prices over at JC, I actually think I purchase used from the exchange more often than from J.Crew itself now!
Yikes! Thanks for raising this issue! I just posted my first eBay sale and I think I'm going to make it my last. I hate shady business and shady characters. I usually sell items for what I paid so to recoup or sell for way less if its EUC. I haven't had any problems here on JA. I'm thankful for this community.
ReplyDeleteMy first and only experience with the Weekly Exchange was not a good one, and it was with J.CrewJD. She had posted an item I was interested in. I emailed her inquiring about the item. She responded and said it was available. I emailed back to tell her that I would like to purchase it. I waited to hear from her. I emailed her several times but never heard back. I have bought and sold on Ebay for more than 10 years. I don't know what the problem was. It's unfortunate, but I won't be back.
ReplyDeleteI did respond back, profusely apologizing for the delay and telling you the item was still available and that I would still like to sell it to you, but that if you no longer wanted it, I would understand. You never responded to that e-mail, which I found incredibly rude. Your account of what happened is not accurate, and I really don't appreciate you indicating that I somehow ignored you or did anything wrong other than fail to respond to an e-mail in a timely manner. (Which, I admit, is bad, but it happens!)
DeleteYou jumped to conclusions in your last e-mail to me, saying something was "wrong with me" and that I must have never wanted to sell you the sweater. I am not surprised to hear that it was your first experience. Life gets in the way sometimes and delays happen, but I did not ignore you or mean to cause a bad experience. I just kept forgetting to send you an invoice because I was busy. I am really sorry that it was such a bad experience for you.
Please, if you are going to post about a bad experience, at least make sure you are truthful and accurate in your account. It's only fair.
I had a great transaction with Sue Bolster!
ReplyDeleteI recently had very good experiences with Tifanny Rose, Bonnie McLaughlin and Kelly Doner. Their items were as described and I was very pleased to deal with them. Thank you, girls!
ReplyDelete