How to not get scammed when trading.

[Fishbro]

So I’ll most likely be trading a fire dragon bounce blasto for a dragon soul torch soon. The issue is, the guy lives across the country from me so we’ll both have to ship. How do I trust this other guy to actually ship the coral that we trade for?

 

[Ron Reefman]

Ask a lot of questions. Ask for photos. And pray.

 

[Fishbro]

Ask a lot of questions. Ask for photos. And pray.

Haha thanks I’ll definitely be praying for this trade to go through. He seems pretty legit with a nice tank but it’s a trade and you can’t really do a middle man with overnighting corals.

 

[Fish E]

Haha thanks I’ll definitely be praying for this trade to go through. He seems pretty legit with a nice tank but it’s a trade and you can’t really do a middle man with overnighting corals.

Use Paypal. Charge each other the same price. Let's say it's $50. You both pay and receive the same amount and break even. The 2.9% fee makes it an additional $1.45ish. For that small fee you get PayPal protection if you dont receive your coral.

 

[Fishbro]

Use Paypal. Charge each other the same price. Let's say it's $50. You both pay and receive the same amount and break even. The 2.9% fee makes it an additional $1.45ish. For that small fee you get PayPal protection if you dont receive your coral.

So even though it’s a trade it’s technically “selling” it to each other so we’re both protected by PayPal?

 

[Plecosam]

Do not trade on eBay, that place is scumbay now!

 

[TheHarold]

So even though it’s a trade it’s technically “selling” it to each other so we’re both protected by PayPal?

Yes. Sell for the same amounts. Otherwise its complicated, especially if one of you is bad at packaging and shipping.

Remember if either of your corals does not survive transit, and the buyer follows DOA procedures (Sending photo within a few hours of delivery, etc), the buyer gets a refund.

How would that apply in your trade? What is to protect you if they send it in a ziplock bag and envelope, and you receive a bare skeleton?

 

[Fish E]

So even though it’s a trade it’s technically “selling” it to each other so we’re both protected by PayPal?

I don't think the sell vs trade label matters to Paypal. You are using their service for a financial transaction. Therefore you would be protected. Now I'm not sure how you would associate that payment with a product so PayPal understands that you need to receive a good first before the transaction can be completed but you could contact PayPal to find out out.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I used this method successfully and is the safest bet for you and other readers.
ARRANGE A TIME AND DAY TO DO THIS AND BOTH OF YOU CONNECT VIA SKYPE OR NOW ZOOM ON YOUR PHONES. LET PERSON A AT THE MAILING CENTER SHOW VIDEO OF ITEM BEING SENT AND LIKEWISE PERSON A CAN SEE PERSON B DOING THE SAME .
You can then exchange tracking numbers. For a piece of mind, do not tape box until you connect and Show contents before doing the mailing.

 

[TriggerFinger]

It’s the same risk you take when making any purchase online from someone you don’t know. Hopefully everything works out smoothly!! I like the FaceTime or zoom idea. Is it someone from here? Maybe others have feedback?

 

[Fishbro]

I think we might go with the PayPal option and probably the zoom call too. Not too sure yet. Also I’m a noob with torches and this is the one I’ll be receiving. Is it a dragon soul?

 

[Ron Reefman]

Do not trade on eBay, that place is scumbay now!

I don't think anybody even mentioned Ebay until you did?

 

[Plecosam]

Congrats, but eBay is not a trading site?

 

[45ZoaGarden]

I think we might go with the PayPal option and probably the zoom call too. Not too sure yet. Also I’m a noob with torches and this is the one I’ll be receiving. Is it a dragon soul?

Yes it’s a dragon soul. I wouldn’t do the trade though. That torch doesn’t look very happy. It’s not like it’s a trade of a lifetime anyway.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

How many heads were you gonna send him?

 

[Fishbro]

How many heads were you gonna send him?

4.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

Lol not a fair trade at all. That blasts usually sells for $75ph at minimum. That’s roughly $300 for your piece. You can find dragon souls local for $200 ph easily. My lfs sells them for $125ph and they’re much larger and look wayyy better than his torch. Not a good trade.

4.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

If you’re new to torches, start out with a cheap piece. Torches are the most temperamental euphyllia and generally don’t like some tanks.

 

[Fishbro]

Lol not a fair trade at all. That blasts usually sells for $75ph at minimum. That’s roughly $300 for your piece. You can find dragon souls local for $200 ph easily. My lfs sells them for $125ph and they’re much larger and look wayyy better than his torch. Not a good trade.

Oh shoot ok I didn’t realize dragon souls were so cheap the trader has been not responding so I probably just won’t do the trade now.

 

[Fishbro]

If you’re new to torches, start out with a cheap piece. Torches are the most temperamental euphyllia and generally don’t like some tanks.

Yeah I’m new with torches but not Euphyllia should I just find the cheapest torch I can to test it out?