Confident members

[scorpion red horse 66 8]

How to you tell if the person you are dealing with is good or a rip off I have been ripped off once already

[Racinbob 11,062]

There's really no way to answer that. It's simply life. But I will tell you that the folks on this forum are as good as gold. Nobody is an 'outsider' here no matter how recently they joined. 

[953 nut 55,198]

6 hours ago, scorpion red horse 66 said:

I have been ripped off once already

Were you ripped off by a member of RedSquarer?   If so, did you send a PM to the person to attempt to resolve the problem? Over the past twelve years I have never had a problem with any of our members on any transaction. If someone were intentionally defrauding members here the moderators can easily deny them access to the site.

[WHX?? 48,815]

I guess my first  question is how did you get ripped? I know it's pain full but it may help others. 

3 hours ago, Racinbob said:

folks on this forum are as good as gold.

Agreed 100% Bob but unfortunately most are miles away to deal with on a tractor score. 

 

Even then if interested in a tractor a few things to follow ... applies to here too.

 

Never buy sight unseen unless you already know the tractors history. They ALWAYS look better in pics. 

 Research the seller ... goes triple for FB people. 

Look at their profile and posting history. Are they really interested in tractors or just trying to sell a stolen machine or flipping it for a quick buck??  Sadly yes it happens.

 

Said it ran when parked but did it drive? Grill the guy like a sammich. Look the seller in the eyes and start a real conversation. Feel the seller out and hopefully you can tell if he's honest or pulling your stump. Watch for stutters and stammers from the scammers. Beware of the many I don't knows. 

 

Is the guy a collector/restorer? How long has he been dealing in tractors. Does he go to shows or exhibit?   Does he have a rap sheet? If it sounds too good of a deal it might be. If it's a project know that before going in. 

 

Many more as I think of them. 

Edited October 29 by WHX??

[SylvanLakeWH 25,547]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Over the past twelve years I have never had a problem with any of our members on any transaction.

 

I've bought / sold 6 tractors on Redsquare. No issues. All involved pretty elaborate payment, storage and transportation scenarios from members all over the country...

 

@WHX?? comments above hit the spot...

[squonk 41,079]

Ya just never know. Do what WHX 2,458,689,147 said. Research research research! I bought 2 engines on FB. Pictures looked ok. Guy said one was rebuilt. Pick up at big show. Show comes and it turns out the guy was a kid and the engines looked like they came out of a storage shed for flower pots. The rebuilt engine had to be taken apart and completely redone. Never again unless I actually know the person ahead of time.

 

Selling is another matter. I've sold a lot on RS and FB. Everyone is interested in an item and want it shipped but when you say I need " X to ship it" the deal ends. They want it shipped for free. Then I ask for Paypal payment "Friends and Family. Buyer freaks out and calls me a scammer because they got ripped off by someone else. I had a rare HO train set for sale last year. I "sold it" about 20 times but as soon as I said shipping costs and PP payment they said no. Sad times

 

 

[Ed Kennell 38,158]

I have sold a lot of parts to Red Square members and to the Wheel Horse group on Market place. 

    In most cases I have shipped immediately and I have always been paid promptly.

Except for one old codger  that remembered about two years later, long after I also had forgotten the sale.

[ri702bill 8,316]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

Selling is another matter. I've sold a lot on RS and FB. Everyone is interested in an item and want it shipped but when you say I need " X to ship it" the deal ends. They want it shipped for free

 

Ha! Selling should give you 4 credits on a Business Psychology Class!!

Had a Doghouse in the back yard years ago that my son made for their family dog. Marriage went south, so did the Ex-wife & the dog!!

So, I posted it for FREE on CL - stating where the taker must pick it up on their own, no delivery. I thought that was pretty clear, until I got a response from a woman whining, she wanted it but it would not fit in her Prius. Seems the bed of my wife's Ranger was in the picture too - this ingrate wanted it DELIVERED to the other end of the State for free !!! I told her "I'm a nice guy, but not THAT nice"....

 

[WHX?? 48,815]

4 hours ago, squonk said:

WHX 2,458,689,147

 

2 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Except for one old codger 

That any way to talk about yourself?!?!?

 

Remember fellas we are talking about buying here & not selling. That's a whole 'nother thread. 

 

Avoid clicking on the is this still available button. That will turn a seller right there. Again start a real conversation.

Check how long it's been up for sale. If it appears to be a good deal but has been posted for awhile be wary.

Never let your guard down & keep your wits about you  ... even if you have wheel horse fever. 

Sometimes one has to (politely) say I'll pass and walk away. 

 

Read ...  dissect ... the sellers ad word by word. Look for grammatical errors & spelling. If it sounds like a two year old wrote it that might be a flag. Yah some people are just lousy at it ...  ... so a grain of salt there.  

Ask the famous question ... why are you selling it? Watch for body language on the return answer. Ask how long have you owned it. 

 

All legitimate questions in a buy and and any shady answers walk.   

As always if unsure  take plenty of pictures and bring them back here for the pros to appraise. If the seller refuses to let you take pics don't walk ... RUN! 

Edited October 30 by WHX??

[squonk 41,079]

I also avoid any tractor in an ad that the picture shows it strapped to a trailer. Like he just bought it and is in such a hurry to flip it, he doesn't even take the time to look it over and try it out. 

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,274]

On FaceBook and other places, you need to be extra cautious, there are very little tools in place for the Admin's of those groups to deploy to cut down on scammers and there are a lot.  On the RedSquare FaceBook page, we take every effort to reduce this, but in no way is this eliminated. Things to watch out for there are:

When asking if someone has a part, a member says: Yeah I have that PM me.  Unsolicited offers for parts and services.  New members to the group.  Again, we do our best but it's very difficult to help on FaceBook.

 

As for this forum.  We have far better control of who gets in here and you have more visibility to who these people are. The VAST majority of transactions here are successful and happy, however not all go as planned. On RedSquare we continually implement protections to help prevent the scammer from reaching you, but again not all are successful.  I would say, that if the seller or buyer is a supporter you have a 99.999% chance this is completely legitimate and safe. You can also take a look at the seller / buyer and see if they are an active participant. 

 

There are a number of times when a seller is a new account and the classified is their first post.  This happens often when the seller has acquired (for what ever reason) a WH that they don't want to hold onto. While these transactions usually go fine, pay a little extra attention so you don't get stuck.

 

Whether FaceBook, or RedSquare forum, we are not responsible for a failed transaction, however if you feel you have been scammed it is critical you report it to us so we can prevent it from happening in the future.

[Ed Kennell 38,158]

2 hours ago, nylyon said:

if the seller or buyer is a supporter you have a 99.999% chance this is completely legitimate and safe

I feel we can make this 100%.        Thanks for all you do Karl.