While there are many legitimate offers on sites such as Craigslist and Kijiji, it’s important to be careful and do your due diligence as a buyer.
These are our top 6 things to watch out for:
- There are a lot of spelling and grammatical errors. While not everyone excels at the written word, if it’s really bad it could be a scammer from overseas.
- The seller is using generic product photos. You want to see real photos of the product so you know its condition (and know that the item actually exists)!
- You are asked to wire the payment. This is a common indication of a scam.
- You are pressured into making a quick decision. Always take your time to make an informed decision.
- Be cautious if there is a change of plans last minute.
- If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is!
If you feel confident moving forward with the transaction, here are our top 6 tips to stay savvy:
- Don’t ever give out your personal or financial information.
- Don’t pay (including an e-transfer) before you see the product. Once you’ve paid you may not be able to get your money back.
- Ask questions – do all the components come with the product?
- Research the seller. You can often find out more about their track record on the third-party sales website (such as Craigslist).
- Open the box to inspect the item and test the product before you buy it.
- Meet in a public location and bring a friend. This will help avoid scams and help ensure that you are safe.
Above all, always trust your gut.
About Consumer Protection BC
While we have no oversight over private sales or scams, we do regulate specific sectors and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
ADDITIONAL READING:
Our top 5 tips for online shopping
Avoiding rental property scams
Tips if you’re buying a used cell phone
Tips to prevent identity theft
Free trial traps: how to identify them and what to do if you’re stuck
Dear Consumer Protection BC: returns and refunds
Unrelated to this post, but we have a business in our small community that are shysters. Supposedly a “roofing company” but can’t roof, and when rods leak (and they all do) they will not respond, return e-mails, phone calls. Many end up suing in small claims, but many do not because they are unbelievable to try to deal with, intimidating, and many just walk away. Word of mouth goes only so far, as there are always new people moving here and they get sucked in too. How can we stop this without getting sued for slander?
Hi Carol, thank you for posting your question. If the company simply does not provide quality work, you may want to see if the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau. If they are, you can always provide feedback on that platform. If they are breaking the law by providing contracts that are missing required contents or collecting deposits over the amount set by the law etc, we may be able to look into it. If so please feel free to contact us. I hope this information helps!
You say
There are a lot of spelling and grammar errors.
(such as you have in your text).
It should be GRAMMATICAL errors
Hi I GASSON, thank you for pointing that out!