I'm selling a laptop online (for the first time) and someone contacted me with offering to pay thru western union. I'll ship the laptop after I get paid, how can I ensure that I am not scammed?
2006-08-23 11:00:37 · 20 answers · asked by aditya_tx 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
If you are getting cash through Western Union first, and shipping the laptop after you get paid .... how could you possibly get scammed?
Do you think Western Union is going to give you fake money? What is it you feel could go wrong?
K-dog, FYI, postal money orders can take up to two months to clear the FRB. Your bank will have told you it was "clear" and you will have spent the money long before you find out you were duped.
"Western Union will tell you that you had money sent to you, but it suddenly becomes unvalid when you try to deposit it to the bank" K-dog, Western Union gives you CASH or a Western Union check if they don't have enough cash on hand. The person originating the transaction pays by CASH or credit card and there is no way of taking the money away from you once you pick it up.
2006-08-23 11:35:11 · answer #1 · answered by BoomChikkaBoom 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How could YOU get scammed? The person who pays out the money to Western Union is taking a bigger chance than you are, because they have no guarantee that you are shipping them an item in good working order. This is blind faith on their part. You have the advantage because you will receive CASH from Western Union as soon as you verify yourself by having the correct telephone number & valid photo identification to get immediate cash back at the cashiers window.
2006-08-23 13:10:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Western Union should process the payment and give you cash if the buyer sent the money to you as directed. The buyer must have made a legitimate transaction that was cleared with Western Union before you are able to collect anything. If you are unable to collect your cash as agreed then you know there is a problem.
Don't accept any form of cheques that you have to deposit and wait to clear. They could be fraudulent, or even real cheques from a legitimate company that they have no authority to issue (personal experience!!!).
Simple solution don't ship until you recieve your cash and only cash.
P.S. If you recieve cash I don't know how Western Union could prevent you from depositing that as suggested by someone else above.
2006-08-23 11:14:57 · answer #3 · answered by Island Girl 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wait to ship it until you've received payment and it has been deposited and cleared through your bank.
But, then again, they might want to get the laptop before sending payment....
Sell the laptop through a site like Ebay where you can set up a paypal account. Or, put an add in your local newspaper so that you can meet up with the person and exchange the computer for a certified cheque.
2006-08-23 11:05:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Never send the merchandise until you have received and clear the payment on Ebay. I prefer Paypal. Ask the buyer to send money through Paypal or personal check. Wait till the check is clear before sending the laptop.
2006-08-23 11:08:11 · answer #5 · answered by galactic_man_of_leisure 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Never accept Western Union.
2006-08-23 11:06:28 · answer #6 · answered by miketorse 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I wouldnt think you're the one that's getting scammed. Once you get the money in your hands then you ship the lap top...if anyone would be worried it would be the other party wondering if you'll actually ship the lap top? Know what I mean?
2006-08-25 09:02:29 · answer #7 · answered by BevD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Western Union is reliable. They get paid by your customer before they pay you.
You might consider using UPS, and ship it COD (Collect On Delivery.) UPS won't hand over your laptop to your customer until he/she gives payment to UPS.
2006-08-23 11:11:07 · answer #8 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a known scam. I don't know how to explain it but Western Union will tell you that you had money sent to you, but it suddenly becomes unvalid when you try to deposit it to the bank, or cash it or whatever. Don't do it, it is a common scam originating from Nigeria and other shady countries. Have them send youa postal money order, deposit it, and wait 10 days for it to clear. That or paypal.
2006-08-23 11:07:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
IT'S A SCAM. think about it. you know they won't send you the money once they get the laptop. I had one similar transaction with selling my old cell phone. guy said he already paid through paypal but Payal wouldn't release the funds until a shipping or tracking number was given. He wrote up a fake paypal email and everything. I sent the email to paypal who verified it was a fraud.
2006-08-23 11:06:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋