Avoid getting scammed when buying knives on Instagram

knife2knowya

knife2knowya

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About a week ago, someone listed a ZT0777 Damascus (my grail knife) on the forums. Within 10 minutes of the initial listing, I chimed in as the first one to say I'll take it! I was ecstatic! I PM'd the seller and asked for his paypal info and he promptly responded back and apologized because the knife had already been sold. He said that he cross-posted it on other forums and on Instagram, and someone someplace else snagged it before me. Grail... gone :-(

When I asked him where else he'd posted it and where the first buyer to say "I'll take it" came in from, he said that he listed it on Bladeforums, USN, and Instagram, and that the buyer came from Instagram. He indicated that that's usually where people first chime in.

I realized that I might be missing the boat here so I setup a "knife specific" instagram account, started following people that sell knifes and regularly use the hastag #knifesale, and who seem to have lots of followers and lots of posts.

Within about a week I came across two knives I really wanted to buy (+$1000/each), and both times after having agreed on a price with the seller, I got cold feet and realized I have no friggin' idea who I'm paying, if they are who they say they are, or if they even really have the knife I want to buy in their possession? To an extent, the same is true when engaging in any transaction on in The Knife Exchange, The Cove, or any other secondary market forum.

I guess what I want to know is that if I were to drop $1500 on a knife that I pay for Paypal Goods & Services, does the buyer protection afforded to me when using Goods & Services completely and unequivocally cover me in the event that I get scammed and buy a nonexistent knife?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!
 
I saw that 777 and asked about too. I've dropped a chunk of change (over 1K) and was a mess until I had the knife in my hands. The transaction went smooth though.
 
Until the seller delivers your product, PayPal should protect you fully. It's up to the seller to shop you a knife or lose the money, you'll get refunded if they don't deliver.
 
To answer the specific question, yes.

As for the title of this thread: The best way to avoid being scammed buying knives on instagram is to not buy knives on instagram.

Here, we have a searchable history. Are you a quality member of this community? That can be determined easily. And if out of the blue you get scammed here, as long as you used paypal the correct way, you are covered.
 
craytab said:
The best way to avoid being scammed buying knives on instagram is to not buy knives on instagram.
Click to expand...

I think that about sums it up. Granted, there are plenty of makers and sellers on IG with plenty of "reputation", but there again, they're also on forums, youtube, facebook, etc... where it's pretty easy to track previous transactions and find satisfied (or dissatisfied) customers ranting or raving accordingly.

If, however, you find that lone maker/seller with only a couple dozen followers putting up $1000+ pieces, I might be a little hesitant, and would definitely want some built in protection/insurance before committing. Perhaps asking for a paypal invoice could also add just a little bit of insurance.
 
Agreed you should check the person out ... Almost anyone with solid credibility has a history . Either here or other knife specific forums . It's your responsibility to do this . I have purchased a few high dollar blade from Instagram . But both times I did they were solid guys on a couple of forums . Not everyone uses the forum that sell knives and a lot of people who do sell on there may be legit .. But I tread lightly and don't get caught up in a weak moment . Use your head and be cautious ... There are people that are smart and crafty that make a nice living making our money their money .
 
Pay in PayPal using a credit card. Credit card info never reaches seller. You have an extra layer of protection.
 
craytab said:
To answer the specific question, yes.

As for the title of this thread: The best way to avoid being scammed buying knives on instagram is to not buy knives on instagram.

Here, we have a searchable history. Are you a quality member of this community? That can be determined easily. And if out of the blue you get scammed here, as long as you used paypal the correct way, you are covered.
Click to expand...

The common sense in this post is almost unbearable . Now if you want to buy knives on Instagram I'd stick with people that have the same names on all the major forums and have been around a while .

I realize you have seconds sometimes to react to a sales thread ,but I'd rather be sage than sorry . A WTB add on the forums can get you what you want a lot of times . If a WTB ad doesn't work and you have some grails it may be time to post a WTT.
 
There are also stand up dealers that specialize in hard to find knives . I have friends that collect these high end customs mainly but some are productions .

They will tell a couple of dealers what they are looking for and the dealers make their calls or look for the knives at shows. These guys have always gotten what they were looking for too.
 
craytab said:
To answer the specific question, yes.

As for the title of this thread: The best way to avoid being scammed buying knives on instagram is to not buy knives on instagram.

Here, we have a searchable history. Are you a quality member of this community? That can be determined easily. And if out of the blue you get scammed here, as long as you used paypal the correct way, you are covered.
Click to expand...

Yep, the searchable history includes both good and reprehensible behavior both. An added benefit is that we don't delete or edit what is stated, unless it is grossly offensive. Instagram account holders can delete unfavorable comments thereby altering what is viewed and can adjust the tone a story takes of who got burned or who pulled the fast one on who first, etc.
 
RevDevil said:
Yep, the searchable history includes both good and reprehensible behavior both. An added benefit is that we don't delete or edit what is stated, unless it is grossly offensive. Instagram account holders can delete unfavorable comments thereby altering what is viewed and can adjust the tone a story takes of who got burned or who pulled the fast one on who first, etc.
Click to expand...

Exactly why I have no interest in joining the "knife community" on IG.
It's huge because it's easy. You don't have to worry about the fact that just because you may be a POS you will have to deal with any of the consequences...

It's just too easy to be whoever you want to be on there, it's far too "Internet dating site"

As far as being scammed anywhere, just use PP goods and services for all transactions and there will be a zero chance that you will get scammed anywhere on the interwebs...
 
I love the IG knife community. It's a great place. But just as anywhere that isn't a well run forum, there are risks involved. I wouldn't pass up on joining the community out of fear, though. Just pay with Goods and you'll be fine. That being said, there's also no problem with you just sticking to the forums. I love BF more than any place. It's what got me started in this whole hobby. I'll never leave! But I also don't let that limit me, either. If it weren't for the IG knife community, I wouldn't have a lot of the knife connections that I do now. There are some truly great people on there.
 
I have had one instance where a deal went south on eBay using paypal, i filed a claim but the other party moved all of the money out of their account therefore paypal could only refund me the money they recouped which was about $10 from a $150 transaction so if the other party moves them money and has insufficient money to cover it could be troublesome. I think eBay has come a long way and i know that now you have to wait a lot longer to receive money as a seller on eBay.
 
craytab

As for the title of this thread: The best way to avoid being scammed buying knives on instagram is to not buy knives on instagram.

Here, we have a searchable history. Are you a quality member of this community? That can be determined easily. And if out of the blue you get scammed here, as long as you used paypal the correct way, you are covered.


So well put...
If you dont want to get taken...
DONT DEAL with unknown people!!!
If its to good to be true..
IT NO doubt is.........
 
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