Don't Get Taken At An Online Auction

Buying things at an online auction can be fun. Online auctions allow you to find things in minutes it would normally take years to locate in an antique or second-hand store. But there are risks. Imagine the sense of frustration when, after receiving your item you find it is a copy or not of the quality you expected.

The National Fraud Information Center’s (NFIC) Internet Fraud Watch provides some advice that may keep your online auction buying experiences pleasurable.

First, understand how the auction works. Many online auctions simply list items that people want to sell. They don’t verify if the merchandise actually exists or is described accurately. Next, check out the seller. For company information, contact the state or local consumer protection agency and Better Business Bureau where you live and also where the company is located. Look at the auction site’s feedback section for comments about the seller.

Many auction sites also include comment sections where other buyers can leave comments about sellers. NFIC also says be especially careful if the seller is a private individual. Most consumer protection laws and government agencies that enforce them don’t deal with private sales, so if you have a problem, it could be impossible to resolve. Make sure you get a physical address and other identifying information. You’ll need the seller’s name, street address and telephone number to check them out or follow up if there is a problem. Don’t do business with sellers who won’t provide that information.

Be wary of claims about collectibles. Since you can’t examine the item or have it appraised until after the sale, you can’t assume that claims made about it are valid.

More, try to pay by credit card or cash on delivery (COD). For more information on fraud and scams, visit www.fraud.org.