Don't forget the RU-vid scams! James, remember that scammer last year who pretended to be you? I almost fell for it but it was the sketchy payment service that tipped me off! I'm glad I dodged that one...
Great tips! Another: ask for more pictures! If they can't or won't provide more - red flag! Reverse google image search the pictures if at all sketchy.
One other area to be aware of is when selling books, make sure you ship in a way that you can prove that the person received the item. I have sold books that the person responded that he never got the item even though I know he did because I forgot to use something with tracking.
Great PSA, James! Ironically the only time I got scammed (sorta) was as a seller. I sent out $150 book and the buyer claimed it never arrived. I had tracking that showed that it did, but nevertheless Paypal decided to refund the buyer with my money even when they could see the tracking showed it had arrived at the correct address. So essentially I gave away the book for free. I believe the buyer himself may have been a victim of porch pirates and wasn't trying to scam me, but that's just speculation. But I'd say that as a buyer Paypal actually protects you more than it does the seller.
I’ve definitely had items where tracking said delivery and it never arrived. Or was taken. Also had the box arrive but it was cut on the side, taped and delivered. Empty box though. That one had to of been a usps person that stole it. There’s also been amazon or fedex workers taking a pic of the item they left. But then the ring cam shows them picking it up. And yes…there are ppl that get it and lie.
@@saleens330 On a couple of occasions (and this is over decades) I had a package I sent via Media Mail simply ripped open, emptied and returned by USPS. Presumably they inspected it and of course determined the comics/magazines or most inexplicably the squarebound TPB's (with no ads) were not Media Mail and instead of just returning the package thus expending my postage, they dumped the contents as well.
Great video, James. In the fog of a great deal, it's easy to fall under someone's spell...but anyone should ask your three questions before pulling the trigger!
Not comics but I have been scammed with fake Lego many times and it's hard to tell if it's a scam and lastly the money most of the time isn't enough to be worth filling a claim (usually 2 to 5 dollars)
I bought on Craigslist what I thought was a box of comics "unseen". The box arrives, a few Time magazines and a pillow! I called out the scammer and he gave me a sob story. I went to my credit union where they know me and got refunded.
Really helpful video - I like how this dives more into tips into protecting against actual humans and not robots. I feel like real humans are the most dangerous and its true! they defenity never agree to either of these three things! Thanks for making great videos for this community!
You have to build community trust to get paid without fees. I've had people cashapp me 15k for a book on a live stream, but it took several years of reputation building to get there
If they refuse to take a quick selfie with the book that’s a red flag. Even their hand in the photo giving the thumbs up. Every scammer swipes images from sold eBay items so 99% of the time they don’t have the books. This forcing them to take and share a unique picture is a way to confirm legitimacy. Refusing to do so means stay away.
True, however Paypal Goods and Services will result with the seller getting a 1099-K at tax time. If you're like me, a not very serious collector just looking to get rid of some books, this an be an issue (no reciepts). Add to that the confusion concerning the 1099-K threshold, which was widely advanced last year as kicking in at $600, turns out that the IRS has delayed doing anything for another year, and it appears to settle on a more reasonable $5000 for 2024, but who really knows? Anyway, you do give good advice, especally when large amounts are at stake.
Way to dodge a bullet! There’s a lot of buy/sell/trades in the paintball community. We do legit checks on each other, typically on Facebook. Fastest way to find out if the other person is trying to get one over on ya!
The profile pic of the "seller" in your video is a well known scammer. I forget the name but recognize the profile pic. You'd think he'd change the pic since he's been called out so many times.
Scammers and scamming is such an elementary way of being selfish. Taking from another because they have it and you want it reminds me of caveman times.
So wrong on a number of points. [1] A seller might request "Friends & Family" payment because transactions through "Goods & Services" are taxable, and I don't care who you are, NOBODY enjoys paying taxes, so deal with it. [2] A seller may refuse a meetup because they don't want to be ripped off themselves or get mugged. It's way too easy for a buyer who hasn't paid yet to do a "grab & run" with the goods, or worse, a seller could find themselves on the wrong end of an assault & robbery. [3] A new seller or just someone selling their own personal collection isn't likely to have references to hand out like candy, especially if they're not a formal business. So NONE of your conditions can be met and you STILL could easilly be dealing with a completely legitimate book seller who won't screw you over.
Anytime the ask PayPal friends and family and seem legit I ask will they do goods and services if I cover the fees - Legit people will do goods and services this way Many times we can just renegotiate a papal G and S price if both parties are serious
Great video I never understand legit sellers that refuse to meet up If you fear for safety meet at a police station Plus who wants to mail a $1K+ book and risk carrier damage? So much simpler I guess sellers think they are going to get beat up on price at the meetup?
Dont think any legit seller minds meeting at police station bank etc. Unless its a cheap book. my rule of thumb is stuff under 300 I meet at a ymca parking lot by my house anything over I am cool meeting at there bank police station etc. Also live in TX so thats when I bring extra stuff wink wink just to be on the safe side especially if they want to meet at some parking lot I am never saying no to a sale where ever they want to meet.
Great video Brother. Educational video. Thanks always for sharing Your passion and adventures from Toronto Ontario Canada 😎 👍 ♥️ ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️📚📚📚📚📚✨️✨️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️✨️✨️💯💯💯💯💯✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
There are some well known youtubers who insist on FandF. I know they are legit, but I won't buy anything without it being GandS. Thats the way I buy and SELL.
Venmo and FF can be fine if you have that trust with the community - Unfortunately I can't trust those I've never met before. I have plenty of sellers I deal with that we use FF per their request and it's no problem! because the TRUST is there