PCA Forums

I saw this posted elsewhere and looks like a great idea for those buying/selling big ticket items such as used laptops online:

http://www.escrow.com/

Don't EVER assume that Paypal is a safe plan outside of Ebay (where they'll guaranty your funds) and COD is also risky as well as one must first accept, sign for, pay for the item BEFORE opening the box and if sent a box of junk, it's your problem, not the shippers.

its a good idea forsure !
just remember this i just put in a dollar value of $100 . and the fee was $25 .00 and it was the same for $500 for basic service $31.50 for premium service on the same $500 .00

Used $1000 to calculate their fee:
standard fee= $32.50
Premium fee= $63.00
....................................................................................................................................................................
Escrow service fees as low as 0.89% of the purchase price.

* Buyer or Seller can pay this fee, or it may be split between them.
* The Fee is determined by purchase price and the level of service.
......................................................................................................................................................................

Even their Premium fee is cheaper than what it'd cost the seller to sell something at the same price on Ebay using Paypal. That'll cost the seller at least 10%, both Ebay and Paypal charge the seller too.

I'd advise this in an instance where you're buying/selling big ticket items like Laptops to strangers/newbies with no to few Heatware ratings and are too far to pick the item up in person.

If buying from someone with no Heatware or RELIABLE referances, there is no other SAFE method to be certain that you won't be ripped off and it's very risky. If one does get ripped off by a scammer, you're SOL.

As for dealing with Paypal. They're fine UNTIL you have a problem and if so, here's a site to consider:


http://www.paypalsucks.com/

Damn, I wish I had known about this site a couple of weeks ago. From now on, any trade no done here or via Ebay will be done through Escrow.com.

MAC

sucks that escrow is down right now..

if you use escrow site be sure to use established ones - scammers in Florida selling cars set up their own site

Ahh hmmm could you list some fake ones?

heres a site with a list of FAKE escrow sites so before sending any more make sure the url your browsing isnt listed on this site...
http://escrow-fraud.pgardner.net/?page=reported

just trying to do my part.

most of them have been shut down but there were a few still up.

I guess it proves scammers have no shame. Every time they pass a security measure they do still risk getting caught at least.