Purchasing machines online

[nytexeng]

Is anyone here who is experienced in purchasing machines on the internet (i.e. alibaba, agriaffaires) willing to share some of his/her tips on how to spot a scammer?

People who are out there trying to cheat your money are so good nowadays. I almost bought a harvester from a guy in 'UK'. Guy was using a genuine company's name to scam. Provided me with acknowledgement from the UK government. (I think that was legit since it had .gov on the link.) He even set up a website which looks TOTALLY legit.

So I hope peeps on this platform could share some of their insights on internet scammers.

Besides, does anyone know what's the typical procedure of an online business transaction? Say we're based in south east asia countries trying to purchase from Europe?

 

[Dave645]

I suppose the thing to do is use payment methods that are protected,
Like any online purchase, credit cards are protected, money portals like PayPal. All protect your money if the sale results in fraud.
But I am sure there is government advise on this.
And read the fine print on what your covered for and not if you go down a payment protected method.
I think another is world pay.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

I bought a bucket from Ireland. Didn't hear a thing for two weeks so I phoned .sorry we only manufacturer to pre paid order .after a lot of thought I paid up although felt rather stupid and worried .they have promised delivery Monday

 

[ridger]

I bought a bucket from Ireland. Didn't hear a thing for two weeks so I phoned .sorry we only manufacturer to pre paid order .after a lot of thought I paid up although felt rather stupid and worried .they have promised delivery Monday

If it's with moniecarrie, Johnston or Scott your ok anyway

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Is anyone here who is experienced in purchasing machines on the internet (i.e. alibaba, agriaffaires) willing to share some of his/her tips on how to spot a scammer?

People who are out there trying to cheat your money are so good nowadays. I almost bought a harvester from a guy in 'UK'. Guy was using a genuine company's name to scam. Provided me with acknowledgement from the UK government. (I think that was legit since it had .gov on the link.) He even set up a website which looks TOTALLY legit.

So I hope peeps on this platform could share some of their insights on internet scammers.

Besides, does anyone know what's the typical procedure of an online business transaction? Say we're based in south east asia countries trying to purchase from Europe?

Agriaffaires require several forms of personal and business ID before you're allowed to post - or at least they did, so that's some degree of assurance. However if it's a trade seller you're really unfamiliar with, then you need to research them, perhaps ask on here, and ideally call them using the telephone number from their actual website rather than any links or numbers posted with the ad.

If you're still nervous then I would recommend you pay using an escrow service.

 

[nytexeng]

I suppose the thing to do is use payment methods that are protected,
Like any online purchase, credit cards are protected, money portals like PayPal. All protect your money if the sale results in fraud.
But I am sure there is government advise on this.
And read the fine print on what your covered for and not if you go down a payment protected method.
I think another is world pay.

Have you purchased anything online over thousands before? Which method did you go for then?

I bought a bucket from Ireland. Didn't hear a thing for two weeks so I phoned .sorry we only manufacturer to pre paid order .after a lot of thought I paid up although felt rather stupid and worried .they have promised delivery Monday

Last Monday or coming Monday? These are what I usually do to detect possibility of an online fraud.

1. Run scamadviser.com. The UK company I was supposed to buy with was based in Russia and the website had only been up a little over 2 months.

2. Check reviews. Google reviews. Facebook reviews.

3. Google street view on the provided address. The address of the UK company had nothing but empty land. Same goes for another belgian trader.

However, I still think these are pretty inadequate. Would love if people have more to share.

I hope you do receive your bucket soon!

Agriaffaires require several forms of personal and business ID before you're allowed to post - or at least they did, so that's some degree of assurance. However if it's a trade seller you're really unfamiliar with, then you need to research them, perhaps ask on here, and ideally call them using the telephone number from their actual website rather than any links or numbers posted with the ad.

If you're still nervous then I would recommend you pay using an escrow service.

My experience with Agriaffaires has so far not been great. But I still keep going there because they have more stuffs. Does anyone have any other agricultural trading website to share?

I wanted to but couldn't find an appropriate subforum to post on. Hate to be the guy who posts on the wrong subforum.

Which escrow service do you recommend then? Have you used one before?

Thank you all for the responses.

 

[Grassman]

Phone up and speak to someone. Google the name and address of the seller and ring on the number it shows. Not the one in the advert.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

If it's with moniecarrie, Johnston or Scott your ok anyway

i wont disclose his name until i see if it arrives, I am sure he is an honest sort but what do i know

 

[marco]

i wont disclose his name until i see if it arrives, I am sure he is an honest sort but what do i know

If I was buying anything off a british dealer, id have to pay in full before shipping. Why would it be any different going the other way? Although I bet you'll be happy when it turns up.

 

[thom]

We bought a one pass off a dealer in Scotland ,looked at it on their website paid by bank transfer ,then had to wait for it to be delivered,transport takes time it's uneconomical to transport a part load ours took a bit longer than expected because of the haulier ,I expect yours will be the same,the one pass was better than in the pictures btw

 

[smcapstick]

As @Grassman said, goodgle them. Addresses, business names, telephone numbers etc. Such a search should generally bring up other sites, not just their own, that reference them.

Also, speak to the seller on the phone - does he sound OK, truthful and normal? Trust your gut. If you get a funny feeling, for any reason... walk away (or put the phone down).

 

[wasted years]

As @Grassman said, goodgle them. Addresses, business names, telephone numbers etc. Such a search should generally bring up other sites, not just their own, that reference them.

Also, speak to the seller on the phone - does he sound OK, truthful and normal? Trust your gut. If you get a funny feeling, for any reason... walk away (or put the phone down).

That way can let you down as well, I bought a set of disc's of e bay from a man in Cheshire without viewing as he sounded spot on and anyway , not alot to be wrong with disc's is there?
'Are the bearings good and gangs tight'? I asked.
'O Aye' said he.
Got them here ,2 gangs were as slack as a ladies drawers and a bearing was visibly goosed, and Simba bearings aren't cheap.
Another lesson learned.

 

[smcapstick]

That way can let you down as well, I bought a set of disc's of e bay from a man in Cheshire without viewing as he sounded spot on and anyway , not alot to be wrong with disc's is there?
'Are the bearings good and gangs tight'? I asked.
'O Aye' said he.
Got them here ,2 gangs were as slack as a ladies drawers and a bearing was visibly goosed, and Simba bearings aren't cheap.
Another lesson learned.

That's a shame

I do tend to find that another 'tell' is to look at the other things the chap is selling - if they're all junk, you can be fairly sure that the thing you're looking at is junk, too.

 

[Still Farming]

Even know dealers websites get funny if you want to pay by credit card .
One "big firm" said to me once when I went to buy a sprayer as never bought off them before ?
I wanted safeguard to my payment , but their attitude was "we are one of the biggest underwriters in the country if you don't trust us ! " so if they did'nt want payment by credit card that's their lost so carried on walking !

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Even know dealers websites get funny if you want to pay by credit card .
One "big firm" said to me once when I went to buy a sprayer as never bought off them before ?
I wanted safeguard to my payment , but their attitude was "we are one of the biggest underwriters in the country if you don't trust us ! " so if they did'nt want payment by credit card that's their lost so carried on walking !

They probably just didn't want to pay the merchant charges on a big ticket item.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Have you purchased anything online over thousands before? Which method did you go for then?
...
My experience with Agriaffaires has so far not been great. But I still keep going there because they have more stuffs. Does anyone have any other agricultural trading website to share?
...
Which escrow service do you recommend then? Have you used one before?

What exactly is it that you're wanting to buy and where (country will do) are you located? Other than Agriaffaires, outside of the UK/International then Mascus and IronPlanet are pretty well known / these are more aimed at construction and plant than farm machinery though. There are loads of UK websites too, including the classified on here(!) but again comes back to what your wanting.

I've honestly never had to resort to using an escrow service. Depending on where you are in the world, you would be best placed to talk to your bank or FX trader as to who they would recommend or use and get some quotes. Failing that someone like escrow.com are well established.

As said in above posts though, keep doing your basic research (google, check website, ask here, talk to a human) are the first steps to getting some trust going. Buying remotely is always a challenge and a risk.

 

[smcapstick]

Credit card payments can be reversed, too.

 

[Grassman]

There is no perfect, safe way of buying machinery.
Best is buying off your local dealer with a good warranty. Simple but more expensive.
Distance buying unseen is relying on a lot of trust from both camps.
Why should the seller trust the buyer to pay after delivery?
Why should the buyer pay up front without knowing the machine is as described?
One persons view of acceptable condition is different to another's. How can the dealer know their isn't a hidden fault unless tested in field conditions?
Buy local is the rule wherever possible!
And new preferably!

 

[Goweresque]

The odd thing is I've bought two bits of kit direct from the manufacturer abroad, with no more than email contact and both have turned up fine. I find that while the internet is supposed to be impersonal and anonymous, you can tell a lot about the person you're communicating with from the way they write, and what they say, and you can draw conclusions as to whether they are genuine or not.

Plus you check things like VAT numbers, websites, location addresses, phone numbers, google their name for scams or problems, basic online security measures. In my case both companies used Paypal to accept the payment, which I took to mean they had to jump through at least some identification hoops to get an account in the first place which made me happier, plus I was using a credit card to fund the Paypal account so felt a bit more secure, whether they would have refunded me if it the goods never turned up is another matter!

 

[smcapstick]

There is no perfect, safe way of buying machinery.
Best is buying off your local dealer with a good warranty. Simple but more expensive.
Distance buying unseen is relying on a lot of trust from both camps.
Why should the seller trust the buyer to pay after delivery?
Why should the buyer pay up front without knowing the machine is as described?
One persons view of acceptable condition is different to another's. How can the dealer know their isn't a hidden fault unless tested in field conditions?
Buy local is the rule wherever possible!
And new preferably!

If that's worrying the customer, they can always hop in the car