Buying stuff on the World Wide Wicked Web

[just dreamin]

Ive been having fun sitting here spending my credits (dosent seem like real money) on this here computer thing and not having too many problems till it coms time to close the deal. Now this is not every time but there have been a few recently.
I purchased a 9 in diff listed on a car forum from a guy in NJ (where the heck is NJ I thought? Anyway I contact him (email) and he is very guarded. Yes I want to buy your diff. Yes I am in Australia. Yes you can contact me I am not on an oil rig or exploring in the desert. I will pay in advance and you can hold the goods untill pament clears into your account. Look even if it takes a couple of weeks you have the goods and my money. Whats the problem??? No sorry I cannot arrange a packaging and pick up for you as I am in Australia and only now know where NJ is. It goes on but after awhile all is well and it takes three days sto got here via Hong Kong where it sits lost in Adelaide for eight days and I cant find it. (Customs we think) It turns up after some one does the paperwork and I pay the duty etc costs.

Now this is only a small gripe as I have had excellent service from Mickmate, factory five, finishline, a great guy in Cal who sold me a TKO 600, some good interstate guys in OZ and any company that ships and sells world wide.

The problem arises when its a first time deal and the seller is unsure of the bona fides of the buyer (me). I have also struck this situation interstate in Australia (Oz) where the seller ends up with my money but still has control of what he sold me. This can be a temptation to some, if the goods are not picked up promptly, to double their profit etc etc.

Now wouldnt it be great if I had a person/location that would receive this item and for a handling fee or whatever relieve the pressure on someone or small company that is not set up for shipping OSeas. The same could be said for this end if in the unlikely case of someone wanting same in Adelaide South Australia I or someone like me could receive and act for someone Oseas or Istate. This means your goods end up in neutral safe hands only if the seller is reluctant to deal with an Oseas customer. It also allows you to have a contact on the ground that you can rely?? on that knows you and that you are legit and exist.

To sum up my last purchase (Today) $3000.00 interstate was a lot simpler and friendly when we found out we had a common friend in the cobra club that could vouch for either of us to the best of his knowledge. Thoughts or suggestions certainly welcome John

[Modena]

use PayPal, especially through ebay, it provides buyer protection.

[Zedn]

Dont rely on paypal to protect you. They protect the seller as he is the one paying them. Only use paypal with ebay and even then be careful.

I nearly got caught out where i was sent an empty box. The response from paypal was that they wouldnt investigate. Even the lady that worked there (paypal) who i spoke to on the phone said i wouldnt get money back from paypal and a charge back from my credit card is a better option.

I charge reversed the charge on my credit card and had the money straight away.

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by just dreamin

To sum up my last purchase (Today) $3000.00 interstate was a lot simpler and friendly when we found out we had a common friend in the cobra club that could vouch for either of us to the best of his knowledge. Thoughts or suggestions certainly welcome John

There are plenty people on here that are more than willing too...Travel...View and purchase and then ship for you!!
Do a little due diligence on the People who you could deal with in the location of your purchase then look at their coms with others here and I think you get a good feel for the integrity of those willing and you will have what your looking for!!!

[just dreamin]

Ah paypal! Protection? I sent some money to a guy by paypal but I got his email wrong,mia culpa, he didnt get the money but I got a email message to say my paypal account was restricted. I checked with three different call centres (paypal) all saying my account wasnt restricted at all and I should report it. I did and they thanks etc and they would act on the links etc in it, as they take these things seriously.
My money was sitting unclaimed in the system so I cancelled the original payment and input the correct info to pay the guy. He got his money but my non existant restriction remained. Eventually I found I had a temporary second account where my money was placed and I cancelled that, but my money could not be refunded because it had come from my bank account via my card and was cash not credit.
The restriction was placed by paypal because I had overseas money comming into my account that exceeded US1000.00 (my own refund) and I had to go thru a sworn identity check for the Aust Govt (Anti money laundering requirement)
The result: My money awaits me as a credit in my paypal account until I can spend it on another purchase. Your right they can offer protection to from your own money.

[beauies]

I'm in sydney and some rims i wanted where in melbourne, didnt know the bloke i was buying them off.

So i got him to go to Pack and send, when he arrived at the shop and they confirmed that they were what i was wanting to purchase. They then eft the purchase price out of my account and into his, transaction complete and ready to ship.

very easy

[spookypt]

The thing that amazes me is how despite the current economic times, people still don;t want to sell you their stuff..

With Summit you order something and in 4 days its at your doorstep so there cant be an issue with living here in Oz.......

And yet I've been trying for nearly 4 months to get a lemans style hardtop price for my car.....the emails have been received and returned to say price will follow shortly....but after many prompts I am still none the wiser and have given up. I'm so over trying to spend my money that they seemingly don't want. The ideas gone cold and I'm moving on... Yet the bad taste remains.. No one wants to poo poo their own cars brand, but I scratch my head in amazement as to why they won't sell their own stuff?

I've also been chasing some other parts for another project I have on the go and after receiving the quotes and the upsell, the invoice to send the goods inclusive of shipping never came despite repeated attempts to find out the overall invoice cost. Being in the middle of this build I pretty much relied on the supplier from the US supplying me his cars parts.... In the end I just got sick of the BS and have arranged to have them CNC'd myself. Dearer, but in the end worth the price knowing you knew you'd get it.

At the same time this is all going on these suppliers are on their online forums telling anyone who'll listen how much they value customer service and its what they built their brand on.... its laughable.

It happens everywhere I know but it is very frustrating...

Spookypt