[PeterM]

I have bought several items off IIS with no issue (including a $1500 purchase) I do however insist always that the item is sent COD where I then pay for it at my local post office - the seller also has to fill out a fair amount of personal details when sending. If the seller doesn't want to do business this way then I am not interested. It is not fool proof. I always exchange phone numbers before buying and ring to confirm the item has been sent. Sure there is no guarantee of what's in the box until its opened. Once you have paid Australia Post the seller is sent an Australia Post money order, so I guess there is a paper trail in the event of an issue.

COD slows the process in your favour after you have committed to buy and the seller must go through steps and they will be paid - no risk to them. If it doesn't turn up you don't pay. Be wary if COD is dismissed outright.
Not sure of weight or package size restrictions on this with Aust Post for COD.

For the most part if it is too good to be true then I always assume it is and take other measures to ensure the item and seller exist, maybe local family, friends, check white pages. Those that set out to scam rely on a quick response and $ transfer and it's not always the unwary that bite, just human nature.

So now we know of several members on IIS who have not received items they paid for, that is of concern and I feel for those who have lost $ but I don't see a link between having people post many times before selling and how that would have helped stop this. I don't see it as being the Mods role to get involved in sour transactions.

Buyer beware doesn't always save you. COD might help. Having the item sent by registered post may help in the locating a lost item but no guarantees there either. Staying vigilant, reporting what may look like suspicious ads and letting Mike and the Mods deal with it as they did recently seems a good start.



PeterM.