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Online Auction Precautions Due to the increasing usage of online auctions e.g ebay etc, we recommend that the potential buyer carry out twelve simple steps to avoid losing their hard earned cash, especially amongst sellers of used Broadcast Equipment. Much of the equipment in this category does retain some value despite its age. (1) Check to see whether the seller has a bona fide address. Dwelling name/Number, Street, Town/City and Postcode. (2) Avoid or be extremely wary of sellers than only reveal PO Box adressess. To find out who is the registered user of a PO Box Address, call the Post office on 0845 722 334 (They have a legal obligation to provide this information) If they advertise the same PO Box with additional departments, it's the same place. i.e. there is no department. It's a bluff to create an impression of stature. (3) Check whether the seller has a contact telephone number (preferably land line) If not, be wary of the reasons why they cannot be contacted by telephone. It could well be, because they fear that their Complaints department would be too busy! (4) Are they requesting that you email them to an alternative email address, instead of the link that leads to "Ask the seller a Question"? In this instance, albeit rare, the user is using someone else's ID to create a positive profile. (5) Does the item show a clear image when advertised? Some sellers use unscrupulous methods of
deliberately blurring the image or more lazily applying a slight "camera shake" to conceal (6) Check all negative feedback and be thorough throughout the seller's history. (Do not assume that the last month's feedback is sufficient evidence that you will not be their next victim. (7) Check for repetitive simultaneous "positive feedback" and that they aren't presented by pseudonyms. Again, be very thorough in your search. (8) If certain negative feedbacks have been removed, find out why from the auction site webholder. It is possible for the seller to apply extreme pressure on the Webholder to remove or "neutralise" the original complaint or negative feedback. (9) Check the sellers response when they do receive a negative feedback. (10) Check out how the seller has responded the the buyer's own feedback scoring.
i.e "Tit For Tat" If you discover this to be so, be very suspicious. Certain
sellers will reveal futile excuses at every opportunity and simply will not
make an admission that they are at fault. Most people will let the matter go
when they are short changed and certain sellers capitalise to the point (11) If you are caught out and find that you are short changed in your refund (remember that you have already lost out in your original postage and package and for the cost of returning the item. Do not accept their cost of re-listing the item. (12) If the seller charges you VAT on your item, make sure you receive a VAT receipt. If you do not, report the seller to HM Customs & Excise. They would be very interested and will be thorough in their investigation. You will not have to reveal your identity to Customs and Excise. An absent VAT receipt will probably mean that the seller has pocketed the 17.5% added onto the item, instead of including the amount in their quarterly VAT return form to HM Customs and Excise. |  |
If you've had a bad experience with online auctions, we'd love to hear from you. We are compiling as much information as possible. Please email your grievenaces to us. Please state whether you are prepared to be interviewed at the end of your statement. Please title the Subject line as "Online Auction" Please include the following information:- 1. The item purchased 2. Who you bought the item from (Their auction ID Name) 3. Date Item Purchased 4. Purchased Item ID No 5. Your grievance (Include jpeg image/s of item if possible) 6. Your telephone contact number We are not members of any online auction sites and have no conflicting interest with the same. |