Picking up equipment by a stranger

[KiotiJohn]

Hey David. I might do it, but I sure would be checking things out well in advance. Most likely, I wouldn't do it for anything expensive. Scams happen every day. I like to be trusting, but I work too hard for what I have to let just anyone go get it!

If I were in that situation, I'd ask for their address and telephone numbers, and check to see if they really exist, not hard on the internet these days.

I wouldn't hesitate to make such an offer to someone, and have, but I make sure they know with whom they are dealing. I've offered to let people come over and try out my tractor, and they have, but that's not picking up something for me somewhere else.

In the long run, I probably wouldn't do it unless there is plenty of supportive evidence availbable that I'm not going to NEVER see my stuff!

Give me a call if you want to go get something. I have a trailer and we can go together!
John

 

[RayH]

For me it would come down to how long they have been on the board and their reputation on the board. I would also require that they give me a phone number and address and I would verify the number by calling them. Ive done this type of thing a few times with people Ive met on Jeep boards. It actually happens alot in the Jeeping community. Jeepers around the US are always swapping, buying and selling parts. The internet has made it a tight knit community and the last thing one would want is to be labeled as a crook. The tractoring cybercommunity seems to be the same, maybe not quite as tight as Jeepers though. I dont see a problem with it but use your own judgement. If something strikes you as wierd about that person or their offer, dont do it.

 

[N80]

I think a combination of trust and diligence is the key. Do the research mentioned above. But also get clear and distinct photos of the item and a serial number if available. Require that the transporter confrim the identification and condition of the item by photo and serial number when he picks it up, then you do the same when it arrives.

I guess my biggest concern would be that the transporter and the seller were in on a switcheroo scam together. Full identification of the item would solve that problem.

I've purchased photography equipment from people I 'knew' from internet sites. I think you can tell a good bit about a person if you have spent a fair amount of time 'with' them on the internet.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
Well, there a bums everywhere, but if you expect one around every corner you're going to live a sucky life.

How's that for philosophy?

Cliff )</font>

Sounds like "words to live by" to me.

I've bought and sold a good many items over the internet. Usually implements, but an occasional tractor also. Some I've never seen until they show up here.

In ALL the cases (except one, I'll get back to that in a moment) I wasn't disapointed. The seller didn't misrepresent his item, the hauler did what he was supposed to, and all was well. In several cases, I had no clue who the hauler was, except for a brief introduction, via email. (I use YT MAG "hauling schedule" to arrainge transportation quite often)

Mistrust is USUALLY a self-fulfilling prophesy. Show mistrust to someone, and generally, they'll give you good cause to mistrust. Deal with people honestly and USUALLY they do the same. The reports of bad conduct by internet haulers is seldom, but gets a lot of "press" when it does happen.

I USUALLY insist on an insured trucker, who I ask for insurance info as well as their DOT #. (For my records) That seperates the men from the boys.

I'd giveit a whirl! You will PROBABLY get a free lesson in life on trusting those who haven't done anything to warrent your NOT trusting them. We all need that every now and then.

The one case that I WASN'T happy with the hauler was 3 years ago when I was shipping an item I sold. The BUYER arrainged the hauler.(YT MAG) He was supposed to be here at 1PM on the pick-up day. He showed at 3:30 AM, with a death trap of a trailer, drastically over-loaded, and he had been drinking. (and NOT milk either) I loaded the item, and sent him on his way. In retrospect, I wish I'd called the cops.

 

[Farwell]

My son purchased a fork lift on Ebay and paid someone to pick it up for him. The pick up and delivery went fine but he purchased the fork lift with the Buy It Now option and took the sellers word that the fork lift worked fine and was in very good condition. $2000 dollars later the fork lift works as it should. Tried to work with the Ebay seller but the seller was not willing to do anything so my son is taking the guy to small claims court for the repair costs. Had the seller listed the item as is it would have been different.
Lesson learned........He should have gone with the hauler and examined the forklift before taking delivery.
Farwell

 

[JJT]

Last summer I bought a 1949 Ford F6 firetruck on eBay. Lots of pictures and extremely low mileage. My local truckers wanted $1/mile round trip, the seller had a friend that had a friend - $1.25/loaded mile. I went the cheap route and took delivery sight unseen. I paypal'd the truck and paid cash for the 250 mile delivery, (as well as a $50 tip). Very pleased with the truck and the delivery. Chatted with the guy after I drove the truck off his trailer, he was a repo man M-F and did some low stress trucking on the weekends.

 

[Wayne_Freeman]

Yep, I am a trusting guy who would rather shake your hand and look you in the eye then sign a contract. That said and knowing more about this then most of you my vote would be to do it! With the price of gasoline it looks like a win/win.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That said and knowing more about this then most of you my vote would be to do it! With the price of gasoline it looks like a win/win.)</font>
Exactly what does that mean, "knowing more about this then most of you?" I smell a story.

The one thing many responders seem to be missing is the part where the poster said he bought something online and THEN someone contacted him to transport it. This was not a contact initiated by the buyer.
John

 

[npaden]

<font color="red">The one thing many responders seem to be missing is the part where the poster said he bought something online and THEN someone contacted him to transport it. This was not a contact initiated by the buyer.
</font>

My assumption is that the poster posted on the forum somewhere that he had bought the equipment and had a long trip ahead of him to pick it up. Someone that was reading the post saw this and was going somewhere nearby and tried to work a deal out to help pay for some of his fuel cost.

I doubt there a lot of scammers that regularly read the forum with the thought that they might be able to scam someone on a piece of equipment. If so they probably aren't very succesful scammers. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[JerryG]

What John is pointing out is the only thing that is bothering me. It just doesn't smell right. If what John pointed out doesn't bother you go with the hauler. If it does bother you, contact someone on Yesterday Haulers and go with them.