avoid scams Question And Answer
How do I buy something from an out-of-state seller on craigslit? How to make payment and avoid scam?
Answers
i wouldnt do it but if you will do it, i'd use money gram or western union...this is have a tracking # and a person's name that is on their state id or drivers license (to pick up the money) will be included. This has everything documented for you. Otherwise sending a money order is fine and you can track it but this will eb months down the line
I just went thru this. Actually Craigslist plasters all over their site the Advice: "Do not buy or sell to those outside your area"
It's actually good advice. Here;s what I would do though anyway: Verify the items price etc, shipping date and get a tracking number. AND agree to pay by PAYPAL. Tens of millions of persons have a paypal account. You can even have Paypal debit your credit card so that if the seller never ships the goods OR the goods are defective, you will have recourse with PAYPAL. AND your credit card company.
You may not win in a dispute, but you will have the backup of your credit card company (since that is what Paypal drew funds on) to further dispute and attempt a chargeback.
Short of this method, which I know won;t work for everyone, anything else would involve sending cash and then you are at the seller's mercy (so to speak)
Number 1 - don't do it.
Number 2 - if a deal looks too good to be true it probably is
Number 3 - if you ignore 1 & 2, consider using an escrow service where you pay for the item but the seller doesn't get paid until you are satisfied with the transaction. Cash on Delivery is also a workaround but more risky for the seller.
