Classified Forum Common Sense Rules
Classified Forum Common Sense Rules
BUYER BEWARE - As this classified forum is open to anyone with an e-mail address, there is always the potential for fraud. DO NOT think that just because you are dealing with another car enthusiast (or someone who claims to be one) that you can trust them any more than you would a total stranger. Some suggestions: 1) Consider the seller. Are they someone well known in the community or a total stranger? 2) If possible, have someone you trust who is local to the seller verify or even pick up and pay for the item for you 2) Use a professional escrow service 3) Ask the seller for references from people you trust. I strongly encourage you to discuss with your financial institution ways to protect yourself during any high-dollar transaction.
SELLER BEWARE - Sellers can be ripped off too! Do not automatically assume a check is good (even a "certified" check). Checks can be cancelled or forged. Check fraud is also greatly on the rise as computers, scanners and color printers make is easier than ever to make very genuine looking fake documents. Also keep in mind that will see funds in your account before it is truly verified that a check is good; if the check is bad, those funds will be recalled. Do not give out your bank account number for a wire transfer; have the money wired to the bank and then have them transfer it to your account or issue you a cashiers check. I strongly encourage you to discuss with your financial institution ways to protect yourself during any high-dollar transaction.
USE YOUR HEAD - I do not mean to make anybody paranoid or scare you off from using the classified forums. Literally thousands of transactions have taken place on-line through forums such as these and the vast majority have gone well. However there have been cases of fraud and misrepresentation in the past and there will likely be more in the future. If you use your head and take the appropriate steps to make sure your butt is covered all should be fine.
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