Help/Buyer Safety Guide
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Buyer Safety Guide

"Caveat emptor" (KAH-vee-aht EMP-twar) - let the buyer beware (Latin).

A customer should always be cautious and alert to the possibility of being cheated. Most sellers are reputable, focused on customer service, and dedicated to customer loyalty. However, this is not always true. Below is a summary of security features, safety tips, and online fraud resources for buyers.

 

Security Features

CARNIVORE - A proprietary suite of fraud prevention tools used successfully since July 2002. It works 'behind the scenes' to identify fraudulent listings before impacting buyers.

Rating System - The rating number next to all usernames contain feedback ratings left by both buyers and sellers. Evaluate the positive, negative, and neutral ratings. Read the comments left by other buyers. Review the rating chart and the seller's past transaction history. View item detail pages to 'get the whole story', since pre- and post-transaction communication are publicly displayed.

Newly Registered Sellers - New sellers have a low rating number. Although new to iOffer, the seller may have extensive online trading experience and/or using iOffer as a sales channel for an established offline business. Review their profile and store description to obtain more seller information.

Ask Questions - Ask as many questions as you want before committing to a purchase. If you don't get a response, are not satisfied with the response, or still feeling uncomfortable, take your business to a different seller.

 

Safety Tips

Trust Your Gut - If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Shipping Charges - Reputable sellers include reasonable shipping and handling charges. Avoid unreasonable shipping and handling charges.

Insurance - If you want insurance, make sure it's available or included in the shipping method.

Tracking - Tracking confirms the shipment of an item. Some carriers include this feature and others you must purchase. Obtain the tracking number if you use it.

Understand What You're Buying - Read the full item description and fine prints. If you're buying an item that's known to be knocked off, counterfeited, reproduced, boot-legged, or faked in some way, make sure you can authenticate the original version.

Payment Methods - Be careful of sellers requesting cash or bank wire transfer payments. If PayPal is offered, ask the seller to identify their PayPal account type and seller reputation number. For international sellers, make sure PayPal is accepted in their country. See PayPal Help for more information.

If you pay with a credit card, you have consumer protection stated in the terms of the user agreement. However, this may not apply to debit cards.

Escrow - Escrow services act as the middleman for high priced items, holding the buyer's payment (vs. buyer sending payment to seller) until item receipt and condition is confirmed. Beware of fraudulent escrow services.

Fraudulent Emails & Websites - Never respond to an email requesting account or credit card information. This is called phishing. Do not enter sensitive information onto a spoof website. Always check the URL.

Off-Site Trading - If you purchase items outside of iOffer, you will not have access to our security features.

Documentation - iOffer retains transaction communication on item detail pages. However, post transaction emails, shipping notifications, payment receipts, and other information may not be documented. Save copies of these documentation in case you have a problem.

 

Online Fraud Resources