Buyer Beware

[Okibi]

I review and approve every forum membership application, I try my hardest to detect and block spammers.

So far I think we've been very lucky.

This evening I had a request from someone who's apparently tried to pull scams across a broad range of forums especially in the classified sections.

So please be careful especially receiving files or buying/selling items online.

This is why I recommend (if possible) personally pick up any parts your buying online, that way you can make sure they appear as advertised before handing over your cash.

This is also why I have very strict rules around things like group buys (where possible have them run by forum sponsors), all Australian businesses that sponsor the forum must have an ABN so members are protected by the aussie consumer laws.

[StillIC]

This is also why I have very strict rules around things like group buys (where possible have them run by forum sponsors), all Australian businesses that sponsor the forum must have an ABN so members are protected by the aussie consumer laws.

Thanks very much for this post, Okibi. I'd like to share my experience with this forum, and car parts suppliers more generally.

I have purchased lots of bits from other forum members on this forum, all by mail from photos only, and have *never* been ripped off (yet, touch wood).

I have purchased heaps of stuff from overseas businesses and have been slightly ripped off once, by a reputable MX5 parts supplier in the USA (not a sponsor), who didn't supply one component in a kit of parts, and never did send it despite teasing me for a few weeks.

However, I have been ripped of massively by an Australian business holding an ACN and an ABN, located in Sydney (no longer trading). I was in the hole to the tune of $2600, and after legal action plus interest, over $3000. Although I won my case, had court orders to the business to repay me, and after exploring and trying all the tools the court system offers, I have not received a single cent of reimbursement. Consumer law in NSW/Australia is close to useless, depending on the circumstances, if the amount owed is less than the threshold to force bankruptcy (which is ~$10,000 from memory). Professional debt collectors have confirmed this with me. A Korean gentlemen owed money by the same business could not believe how lax our laws are compared to South Korea. He was livid.

So, my advice is to purchase from reputable businesses using credit card or Paypal (each of which have processes for consumer protection), or by Paypal from people who are well established in a social network, like this forum, but be mindful of what Okibi states above.

[Steampunk]

You run a good little forum here Dave, good work.

I've set up my fair share of group buys in the past and am thankful for the trust people have shown in fuss-free payments.

I suggest whenever forumites discern a seller might be a bit dodgy, spend a few minutes trawling ebay, gumtree etc to see if they can find the business/person.

Recently someone here put up various things for sale, most at very good prices, only to retract ALL the offers stating some bullsh*t reason about a single buyer who wanted to buy the lot, but reneging, and so the seller then, instead of offering the parts to the next people in line, goes and places the same items on ebay because he realised that the prices he offered here were too cheap.

What a Jerk.
Typically only joined here to sell stuff, no contribution.

Unfortunately greed overrides morals in some [so called] human beings.

In order to engender camaraderie, I recommend forumites contact other forumites to get second opinions or to inspect items interstate. I am always willing to check stuff out for people... just ask Mr Fastfreddygassit... Minx and I drove the crap out of.... I mean.... carefully test drove and checked the mechanical efficacy of his SE for him before he flew up to buy it.

[Okibi]

Good suggestions, that explains why FFG's is the second best Black SE

[fastfreddygassit]

I see everything....

[Mr Morlock]

Consumer law is very good in Australia and people just take it for granted that they can return or claim refunds for granted. If people read guarantees they will see that Aust often gets an additional clause that does not allow sellers to limit the warranty. Many of us return goods without even a question being asked. Dodgy businesses can trip anyone up eg in the building trade where businesses go bankrupt and directors set up with new co names and survive. But overseas sellers ie not well known businesses or backyarders you take a real risk where the transaction is small and your influence small. The old saying is that it's all good until something goes wrong. I endorse Okibis caution

[Mr Morlock]

Consumer law is very good in Australia and people just take it for granted that they can return or claim refunds for granted. If people read guarantees they will see that Aust often gets an additional clause that does not allow sellers to limit the warranty. Many of us return goods without even a question being asked. Dodgy businesses can trip anyone up eg in the building trade where businesses go bankrupt and directors set up with new co names and survive. But overseas sellers ie not well known businesses or backyarders you take a real risk where the transaction is small and your influence small. The old saying is that it's all good until something goes wrong. I endorse Okibis caution

[manga_blue]

You do a great job, Dave, and we appreciate it.

Just out of interest, do you know the modus operandi of the scammer that you just blocked?

[Okibi]

I didn't waste too much time reading the other forums.