Safest way to purchase knives in the "For sale forum"?

W

wacki

Feedback: +0 / =0 / -0
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Sep 12, 2009
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High end knives are freakishly expensive. What's the best way to purchase a knife without getting ripped off?

Ebay will refund your money, how do you minimize risk here?
 
Buy the seller not the knife.

Edit - further explanation:
Know who you're buying from. Purchase only from somebody who has a presence on the forums that can be verified through email, voice, and other references if necessary. Purchase only from somebody you're comfortable with - red flags should end the deal. Don't use money orders or bank wire transfers - only paypal with and credit card if possible. In my experience, Amex offers the best consumer protection.
 
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Use paypal and search for the seller's username on Bladeforums/google to get an idea of their previous transactions.
 
That's what feedback (positive, I hope) is all about. Ganagati is correct, but you can also use Standard PayPal and it can help. However, don't use the GIFT option, which will NOT seek to help you with a dispute. You can normally have the option of sending PayPal standard (+3%) or PayPal gift. Don't use gift unless you know the guy or he has a great 100% Positive Feedback of at least ten; the more positive feedback, the better. I haven't been zapped yet by a deal, but I came real close. You can always ask for a 2-day non-cut inspection, but sometimes the seller will say "All sales are final." In this case, be careful. Of course, you can check out a knife in about 10 seconds.
And, of course, if the Seller has been a contributing (posting) member on this forum for some decent period of time, that doesn't hurt either.
I had a fellow sell me a knife with a broken, but poorly repaired, tip of the knife, and it was finally shown that the guy who sold to him was the scalawag. But I sent it into Strider, and they repaired it free of charge. When you pay money for a good knife, you're also buying the Customer Service. Pay attention before you buy. Of course, if it's a cheap knife, you won't stand to lose very much, but lots of decent folders run from $200-$400 or so.
Sonnydaze
 
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Also, make sure to leave feedback when you buy and sell. It helps the other person and would-be future buyers.

Seems a lot of transactions go unrated. That doesn't help anyone.
 
You can always ask for a 2-day non-cut inspection, but sometimes the seller will say "All sales are final."
Click to expand...

Do you guys typically pay before or after the knife ships? Or split 50% before 50% after.

I guess this is good. Shows that there are a lot of trustworthy people here. Hope it stays that way.
 
I pay in full (pretty sure you have to), but I pay for goods and there is a fee for that but its only 3.5%. If they decide to scam you can always file a claim. I only use paypal gift if I've done business with the person before and everything went smoothly and also in regards to their feedback score.
 
1) Use paypal
2) Check seller join date & feedback
3) Request tracking and signature confirmation
4) Try to stay away from trades if possible (seems like more people get screwed in a trade than they do in a sale)

I have actually sent sellers money orders and even made payments with paypal gift before, but they were all long standing members with an extensive/positive feedback rating. The majority of people on here are some of the best people I've ever dealt with. I have bought a number of knives on the exchange and I have never had one knife poorly packaged or taken more than 2-3 days to arrive. I'd say you're good to go mate.
 
It is very rare that shady people do business on here,more likely to get ripped off from ebay or amazon than the forums. But yes,for a major purchase check the seller's reputation first and use paypal for goods.
 
Thanks for all the reports guys, nice to hear that
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If its a real expensive knife you could always use a middle man - aka - escrow.

On a pool forum that i belong to many highe end pool cue deals are done that way.

You can also check their ebay rating if they have one.
 
FEEDBACK The Good The Bad The Ugly! Use it ... General Knife Discussion is not Bladeforums All-Purpose Bulletin Board.

Besides, when you go to the FEEDBACK forum, you will see the stickies at the top of the forum list. READ THEM. We put in a lot of effort writing them to help you with payments, shipping, dealing with problems, and how to avoid them.

Buying goods with the gift option is a violation of PayPal rules.
Charging a percentage fee is also a violation of PayPal rules.
 
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