Reply to: Distance buying

[downsouth]

+1 for Escrow, dont forget to set a decent 'inspection period'

Failing that, collect it yourself, inspect, fire it up if mechanical etc, pay cash

[conned tractor]

Can you pay a portion up front only?

What is his eBay history like - lots of sales and 100% record, or is he a newish member with any bad reviews?

It's on Gumtree.

[d000hg]

Can you pay a portion up front only?

What is his eBay history like - lots of sales and 100% record, or is he a newish member with any bad reviews?

[Sysman]

And if plenty reliability also then I may be taking up on this option, but I cannot see it.

What I would have done when I was in the UK was to use a local farmer who also did transport. Totally reliable and he had the contacts to get a load on the outward journey and, space permitting, a partial load on the return journey to reduce the costs. Why not look for a one man band to do the transport? They can often do this sort of thing at a reasonable cost, and should be adequately insured as well.

Or if you know someone reliable who's on the dole or simply short of cash, rent a van and get them to do it.

PS. If the equipment is fragile, make sure whoever you use is used to that kind of load and can secure it well. I once pulled a load of computer kit off the back of a cheapskate carrier who wasn't making any attempt to tie it all down in the back of a truck, and called in someone more experienced (although not as cheap).

[conned tractor]

Much cheapness and plenty quickness will ensue.

And if plenty reliability also then I may be taking up on this option, but I cannot see it.

[Clippy]

Plan B wants to buy something which has been advertised on gumtree. The problem is that I plan to have it shipped via a pallet delivery service from County Tyrone to Middle England. I have been sent detailed photos and conversed about the items with the seller, who knows what they're talking about. The items are hard to come by and rarely come up for sale as they are sort of specialist equipment. The price is right, but is still a lot of money, a touch over £1K to be scammed for. Not that I think it's a scam, but if there's a way of covering us both, then why not.

So, Is there a way of transferring the money and ensuring not getting scammed when buying stuff in this way. Does paypal cover this sort of transaction, should I just put faith in the seller - he seems genuine, any others?

This, for me, would dictate finding the time to make a trip over there.

[JoJoGabor]

Time, my dear man. Maybe I should send a minion on a day trip.

Hire a bob

[Paddy]

Plan B wants to buy something which has been advertised on gumtree. The problem is that I plan to have it shipped via a pallet delivery service from County Tyrone to Middle England. I have been sent detailed photos and conversed about the items with the seller, who knows what they're talking about. The items are hard to come by and rarely come up for sale as they are sort of specialist equipment. The price is right, but is still a lot of money, a touch over £1K to be scammed for. Not that I think it's a scam, but if there's a way of covering us both, then why not.

So, Is there a way of transferring the money and ensuring not getting scammed when buying stuff in this way. Does paypal cover this sort of transaction, should I just put faith in the seller - he seems genuine, any others?

I have done this sort of thing. If it's stock, get it group freighted. If it somthing valuable like yours; regarless of cost, hire a van and pick it up and go by the overnight ferry.

[MarillionFan]

Time, my dear man. Maybe I should send a minion on a day trip.

Time.

Take my advice. Time = success. When I spend time I make money, when i rush, I lose. Your choice.

MF, did you place order for sledges yet? Best time to do it now whilst the weather is hot. It's going to be a bit spekulative but then you've done worse in the past.

5 day lead time for sledges and snow shovels right now.

Last Xmas, 5 days turned to 30 days lead time in a 7 day period... Predictable that.

Now calculating the 2 month contracting window versus possible return on Plan B for Nov/Dev period based on weather.

[AtW]

MF, did you place order for sledges yet? Best time to do it now whilst the weather is hot. It's going to be a bit spekulative but then you've done worse in the past.

[conned tractor]

Why not turn up with suitable transport and pay cash on inspection or is that too expensive? PayPal seem to favour the buyer in disputes so that may be an option too but still has some risk. Maybe travel to Tyrone and inspect before purchasing and arranging delivery?

It is considerably more expensive, involves a few hundred miles driving a hired van to Northern Ireland and back and of course a ferry trip both ways in the middle. The pallet company have quoted less than it would cost for van, fuel and ferry.

[conned tractor]

Its 1k. Not a lot to lose, but when at Uni
I spent £500 on a pallet of remainder/out of print books. Only 20% was what I expected.

Why not spend £30 on a Ryanair flight and a nice day out to check it out. Or pay me £50 for a knee trembler.

Time, my dear man. Maybe I should send a minion on a day trip.

[conned tractor]

Escrow?

That looks like the baby, thanks.

Any idea what they charge?

[SueEllen]

Have a read of the paypal terms and conditions here https://www.paypal-marketing.co.uk/s...ionOffEbay.htm

They do mention things that can't be posted are exempt as are items for business, industrial machinery for manufacturing and services.

[MarillionFan]

MF has this sort of racket going on all the time. Give him a knee-trembler in a bus stop, and the goods arrive on time and in tact.

Its 1k. Not a lot to lose, but when at Uni
I spent £500 on a pallet of remainder/out of print books. Only 20% was what I expected.

Why not spend £30 on a Ryanair flight and a nice day out to check it out. Or pay me £50 for a knee trembler.