bankk transfers a cautinonary tale.

[hebhaggis]

Well 2 problems surface here ...
..the fraud-
- is bad enough . Somebody breaks the Law and can be identified then although nothing is 'clearly cut and dried ' , you are okay to persue them legally - the Police and the Courts . Real fraud - this happens very rarely .
- Making payments easily and cheaply is the most important and when I see people demanding Bank Transfer only I walk away - I have no idea where they bank , but when I inquired at mine , was left with the strong impression that it was unsafe by the staff , and also very costly . There is also the issue of my details being accessed by a third party ...fraud .

So nobody gets my Bank details - I use Cash or Paypal .
If an accident occurs and payments go ascue then yes its frustrating and a problem .
If fraud occurs then see note above and I stop worrying .

How this really REALLY affects us all , is when on national / international forums , people refuse now to post - face to face only .
Defeats the purpose of the Internet . I can afford to lose a little money . I cannot afford to lose out on a needed item for my collection - because somebody refuses a sale .

[18 Wheeler]

...when I see people demanding Bank Transfer only I walk away - I have no idea where they bank ...was left with the strong impression that it was unsafe by the staff , and also very costly . There is also the issue of my details being accessed by a third party ...fraud .

So nobody gets my Bank details - I use Cash or Paypal ....

-Bank transfers are free ? Perhaps your bank misunderstood and thought you meant a CHAPS transfer, usually ~ £25?
As for being unsafe, you only give the same details as found on a cheque or the front of any bank card.
-Paypal is not permitted for any firearm related sales so you'll be equally unprotected and is a favourite of those wishing to separate you from your money for this very reason.
-Posting cash is risky unless face to face, and even then has its perils.

In essence there's no totally safe means of transferring funds from one party to another, which is where a good track record of deals is a great help.

The mods do a great deal to prevent the serial criminals from being active on this forum, and if more people left feedback it would make that a more useful tool too.

I wish the Fattman good luck in recouping his monies.

[Garvin]

There is also the issue of my details being accessed by a third party ...fraud .

So nobody gets my Bank details - I use Cash or Paypal .

Apart from sympathising with Dave and agreeing that caution must be used when sending money by bank transfer, I do think they can be a useful way of shifting money around. You don't have to be afraid of giving out your bank details, because nobody can do you harm with the information. It's no different than giving someone a cheque.

Edit: I see 18 Wheeler said much the same thing!

[WILBA]

I have bought quite a bit using bank transfer and all deals have been honest. F2F sounds ok but i live in wales and if the guy selling lives in scotland for instance then that is impossible as travel costs on top would make the deal far to expensive. Paypal fees also add to cost. I would still deal on here bank transfer but only with someone with good selling history. 99.9% of deals on here go ok with no trouble. Fattman sorry to hear about your loss. Think peeps like that should be turned in to unuks:-) chris

[bigjob]

i only take payment via bank transfer, i will never use paypal for paying or receiving, even cash can be risky ! have paid in to a bank cash to be told its a forgery! cant win but b transfer seems to be the best

[PCPShooter]

I bought a s/h pcp from a guy on another forum - him new and totally unknown.
He lived close to JB, so I said to him if he'd deliver it for a service, as soon as it got there I'd pay him.

All worked out, he knew enough to know that was the best option he was going to get off anyone -

He accepted that no one was going to buy diddly squat off him as a new poster, esp pcp by post ..

I know years ago there was an escrow type service run by ??? (Gary C maybe) ....

Anyway - I reckon we could all be helping each other out a bit more on here - there are Remington Express rifles retailing for £125 new if you live in Lincolnshire for example ..

I would only buy 'blind' from fairly established posters on forums unless of a value that you are content to 'write off'
Perhaps the club scene could be more thoughtful here at helping folk get s/h kit and not get fleeced. If as a shooter you are completely out the loop with local clubs, I'd certainly recommend that to anyone, even if not frequently as it can get pricey, and is not everyones bag of course ...

[ratshot5]

always get address and phone number an check it

[PaulR]

I have bought/sold on here with no problems.

I always use bank transfer.

The deciding factor for me is the credence of the person I am dealing with. If they have a more than a few basic posts I look at some of them and if, like me (I hope), they seem to contribute more than just selling stuff I trust them.

So far it has worked.

Bottom line? - I guess you can get ripped off with whatever payment method you use.

[FattMann]

always get address and phone number an check it

yes, got that but still no goods or cash, allso pointed out o his bank hsbc that he had previous

[gordon]

Iv`e bought quite a few items off this site and tried where possible to collect, most collects have not cost me anymore in fuel costs than if i had paid for postage/couriers, using my wifes car i must admit , v-good mpg . The other purchases have been via bank transfer, and the odd payment by PP for odds and ends, with no problems at all. Most items iv`e bought have been as or better than described, and more often than not off members who have a large number of posts and good feedback... Gordon.

[farmera]

if the member is still on this site be helpful to know and to avoid if this is allowed ?

[FattMann]

if the member is still on this site be helpful to know and to avoid if this is allowed ?

no hes been banded, so he cant catch any of you hopefully

[walnutfarmmick]

Iv`e bought quite a few items off this site and tried where possible to collect, most collects have not cost me anymore in fuel costs than if i had paid for postage/couriers, using my wifes car i must admit , v-good mpg . The other purchases have been via bank transfer, and the odd payment by PP for odds and ends, with no problems at all. Most items iv`e bought have been as or better than described, and more often than not off members who have a large number of posts and good feedback... Gordon.

This has been my experience, too. With the added advantage (for me if not them) that you can then put a face to the name on a post.

ATVB, Mick

[wonky donky]

Sorry to hear that Dave.

You can call a bank transfer back saying it was paid accidentally or to the wrong account, the other party usually has to be willing for the money to be removed from their account but it can be done.

I have done it twice this year, did last month when £2500 was involved, fortunately the other party agreed.

[Troubledshooter]

So nobody gets my Bank details - I use Cash or Paypal .

So presumably you don't use cheques either.

I use bank transfer as much as possible, and have done for years, as it's quick and uncomplicated, and no different to sending or accepting a cheque, as exactly the same information required for a bank transfer is printed on a cheque, apart from the security details needed to access your online bank account.

I use Paypal if a merchant gives the option, as one doesn't have to keep giving card details all the time, and accept Paypal as long as any fees are paid up front.

Obviously Cash is King, but not always feasible.