eBay/Craigslist Buying through Ebay/craigslist is it safe.

[ecoslik]

I tried to buy a SUV on ebay and was almost scammed. It was all very slick. They even were able to impersonate and convince me that it was ebay emailing me.

I was lucky that I insisted on an in-person inspection even though it was in NY and I in TX. They gave a bs reason why they could not. I smelled something wrong and tracked down the original buyer (from dealer) through a contact I have with access to the computers at a dealer/manufacturer.

I did eventually buy my Suburban through ebay after flying to St Louis from TX to inspect.

I bought my Kubota through a WA seller I found on tractorhouse.com. I used the seller's local dealer to hold the tractor, service, and prepare for trucking to me in TX. I did not inspect before buying, but I did extensive cross-checking. I wrote it up the experience here on tractorbynet.com.

I have been very happy with my Suburban and Kubota. :thumbsup:

 

[WM75Guy]

eBay Buyer Protection is only for items bought on and paid thru eBay. Items on Craigslist don't qualify. This is the first one of the clues it's a scam. Second is you can never see the item for some "good" reason or another. Third is you wire the money site unseen thru Western Union or other wire transfer service. The fourth is it's a really good deal, in great shape and much cheaper than it should sell for.

 

[Johnbro]

I bought a tractor, from a legitimate dealer, sight unseen.

However, the offer on CL to use anything to do with ebay for the financial transaction is a clue that it might be a scam. I would never buy from an individual unknown to me sight unseen. There are plenty of cases where scammers use CL to try to rip you off. Clues are that the tractor isn't available for inspection, that they are including freight (before they know where they have to ship it), and/or that the price is stupid cheap.

Usually a few emails will disclose that it's not a legit deal--they won't respond when you press them to inspect it immediately. Whatever you do, never never never wire money to a 3rd party you don't already know and trust.

Almost always when a deal sounds too good to be true, it is.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Another almost dead give away on Craigslist is a local listing for something located in another state or far away town, no phone number given, phone number is not local prefix and of course stupid cheap. I dont even pull up the add for stuff that is 25% of typical price. Shipping included in price or using a certain shipper only is also things to be aware of. All the scams will certainly not want you to come look at it and will use everything imaginable to convince you that it is locked somewhere inaccessible.
If they are legit, they will tell you where you can look at it. Most of the scams use photos of legit adds and you can find them if you look and compare the photos.

 

[Trafficman]

SingleDaddy,
If you can't see it, & test it, beware. Scams will fall apart if you want to inspect it or offer to come & get it. I bought my Kubota B2781, & Befco T30-142. Both I inspected & picked up locally (>50 miles) cash deal with a bill of sale. I've also bought some woodworking equipment as well, but again local & picked up myself. HTH
T-Man.

 

[Car Doc]

Scam!

Do a search on the item you are looking at you may find it for sale somewhere else by the real owner and possibly even the scammer listing it again somewhere else.

Be smart I am acquainted with someone that has first hand experience in this scam its real.

 

[ITHINKICAN]

Has anyone used ebay to purchase a tractor and have it shipped. I am seeking a Kubota BX23 or BX 24. In my research I see a lot of sellers stating that they want to use Ebay buyer protection, after posting a listing on craigslist

Don't risk it. Contact these guys instead: Barlow Equipment - Home of the Kubota Tractor Package Builder

 

[KTAC]

I have witnessed several stolen units recovered thru postings on websites. Most people don't know stolen units, at least those insured by KTAC, are put on a national database. If the stolen equipment is taken to a Kubota Dealer for repairs/service, the dealer notifies KTAC and we take the equipment. The poor person that purchased the equipment from the thief is the one out the money so I agree with everyone else - be careful purchasing expensive equipment without due diligence.

 

[mike69440]

Ebay you need to follow up on seller and have local dealer or ask a local TBN member to check up on it or inspect it for you. Craigslist see it before you buy it's for local sales.

Very Very true.

There are no warrantees. You are buying somelses used. Instepect it yourself and hire someone also to check it out. Check for clean title.

However, If I were buy used, I would use E-Bay, Craigslist, etc and other machinery selling services.

 

[shownuff]

in most cases there is "no title" best bet is to verify that there is a serial number or vin ,then call local dealer to verify