What is the best way to protect yourself from overseas fraud?

[hogluvr]

If I decide to go through with this, it would be a first for me. I hope to gain some insight from those of you who have made successful overseas transactions for vintage parts.

I posted some ads over the internet searching for parts, and a gentleman from England replied to one of them. If I would decide to go ahead and purchase parts from him, how can I be assured that I'm not just throwing my money out the window? Is there anything I can do to cover my behind if the deal doesn't go through? I've dealt with people all over the states and have luckily never had any major issues, but I'm a little apprehensive to send my hard-earned cash overseas. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Tom Lovejoy]

What I have done - so far with excellent results. I check my AMCA rostor to see if their a member, if their not. I would try to contact a member in their country or area, see if they know of them or have ever delt with them. Check with the major part deallers of that make or parts, have they hade any bad deallings with them, or heard of them? Some times they might be alittle uneasy about giving info out - but I just ask if they have had deallings with them, would they deal with them again?
For the old machines its a pretty small world really most the time, folks now each other - BSA guys, HD guys, Indian guys, not always, but alot of the time - people know hows the bad guys out there already. If its a smaller brand name, I think their even closer knit, most Thor guys have heard of each other - thats the kind of thing I mean. I have bought quite a few things from Europe, Austraila and New Zealand - so far the folks have been honest good people, I got everything I orderd and was pleased with it. Its always a bit of a gamble though, so I know what you mean. But thats what I have done and its worked well, good luck, Tom.

[silentgreyfello]

I have asked them to take a picture of something very specific that they couldn't just edit from someone else's pictures. I have also asked them to take a picture with a tape measure on a certain part. This gives me the assurance that at least they do have the part, which is at least half the battle when dealing with scammers.

Second part is to get a phone number to call them. If they are a scammer, chances are they won't give a phone number out, as that is easier to trace than some hotmail email address.

Never send money via Western Union. Get a physical address to send an international money order to.

Last part, though... if it is a yahoo.com email address from the UK, NEVER send them a dime!!!!!!!

[pete reeves]

Hi I live in England If I can be of any help email me you will find my address in the roster or in my profile.
Pete.

[AdminGuy]

Thanks Pete, I was hopeing you or Steve would chime in.

I believe Paypal moneys are held in escrow. I don't use the service as once they reached mass they jacked the rate.

[kunzog]

I recent sold an engine to a guy in Italy on ebay. I didnt know how to have payment sent. My bank said to just give him my bank account "Routing Number". I had the cash in my account the next day. The bank said he could only deposit funds and could not access any of my money in my account.

[T. Cotten]

I only get ripped off by locals.

Seriously.

....Cotten

[Paps]

What my experience has been............ So far............ I have been very lucky! Most of the folks I purchased from were certainly honest. They, in turn, have to hold hope, that I will sent a purchased part to them as well. Italy has a terrible postal service. No insult intended to our Italian friends but the Italian postal service is slow as Moses. The French postal service is next in line. Again....I have strong feelings for both my friends, in both nations, but their postal services are slow. Griping buyers are awaiting their parts. They, naturally, think it is because the part was not sent. In reality, the part went out asap. World wide nation services did not deliver it in a fair amount of time. Not to leave the U.S. out of this world wide problem, but, I have purchased parts from U.S. citizens and the parts took weeks to arrive. I have also purchased parts from Austrialia, Japan, Germany, England, etc., etc., and the parts arrived in record time. This is a definate problem in a world economy. There seems to be no standard. Yes..........there are your rip off artists, targeting unsuspecting buyers. I believe that was addressed properly by previous posts to this topic. All presented very good advice. Just remember this fellas !! Overseas is overseas, no matter where we reside. You took the words right out of my mouth Cotten. Paps

[Harleyson's]

Hello from Germany:

If I can be of any help email me:

fsimmerlein@t-online.de

Fritz Simmerlein
AMCA Member 4677
www.harleysons.de

[hogluvr]

Guys,

Thanks for all the input! I am waiting on pictures to decide if this venture is worth pursuing, but you've given me a lot to think about. Thanks again.