Picking up equipment by a stranger

[sandman2234]

So you have bought something online, ebay or otherwise, and all of a sudden one of the board members pops up and says he is going right by there...
Someone you have never met, is willing to go out of their way to save you the trouble of having to drive across the country, state or whatever and all they want is some gas money.
What is this??? Some sort of scam??? Got to be a catch somewhere.
What are all the angles to allowing someone else to pick up a tractor attachment that you paid your hard earned dollars for? What are the chances it will actually ever sit in it's rightful place in YOUR barn?
What should the transporter expect from the seller as to proof that he isn't just picking up someone else's property without permission and hauling it off never to be seen again?
What are the angles guys? Have you "been there, done that?"
Lets hear your story!
David from jax

 

[Birdhunter1]

I don't know what to tell ya there. Personally for me I wouldn't do it because for one if it was a piece of equipment I would want to personally see it before it is actually mine, two part of teh fun of it woudl be going to get it, three I like to travel, fourth reason being who is the guy who bought it and how do I know he is actually not a scammer.

I think the first and fourth reason woudl be enough for me, unless I actually did personally know the person!

 

[sandman2234]

A couple of added facts.
Having the board member pick it up will save about 450 miles each way, for a trip of about 400 miles compared to about 1300.
The item was purchased as new, so there should be no reason to need to inspect it. No chance of getting a refund if it isn't what the buyer wanted.
The board member has offered to submit references of people he has picked other items up for.
There is a possibility that the seller is a scammer but the buyer has told the transporter,(other board member) so he knows to watch out for attempts to fool him.
Does this change anything?
David from jax

 

[Singlecoil]

How about this scenario: Transporter picks up item, then swaps it for a lower quality one and delivers that to you. You complain to seller, he says he doesn't know what you are talking about, he gave the right one to the transporter. You complain to transporter, he says he doesn't know what you are talking about, the one he delivered is the one he picked up. Then what do you do?
Sounds like there are too many ways this can turn sour.

 

[npaden]

I would do it. Maybe I'm too trusting, but I've actually had pretty good luck with people I've met on the internet.

I had a post on this board earlier asking why Kubota top links are so expensive and a guy PM'd me and offered to sell me his for $40 including shipping. I sent him a check and he sent me the toplink. They crossed in the mail and we were both happy.

Of course you are probably dealing with an item that costs more than $40 so the ultimate decision is up to you. I would get the guys phone number and call him at home and chat for a while.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[beenthere]

I would do it too, if someone I "knew" a while on the board. On another board, one member asked for some cheese from the North. Being he was in TX, I exchanged information on what he wanted and what I could do. He said he'd take about $70 worth. I bought it, packed it and sent it to him. He was surprised that I didn't ask him to send his check first. After he got the cheese, with the bill inside, he sent me a check.
I figured if I was out $70 then so be it. I believe there are more honest people around by far, than dishonest ones. I don't think the dishonest ones frequent these boards, especially TBN. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Singlecoil]

I would have to agree with that. I was under the impression that it was somebody from ebay, and not a TBN member. If it was somebody on here who had been here a while, then I would graciously accept.

 

[Pooh_Bear]

If it was a person that regularly posts on a board I visit
and I recognize their username on the boards when I see it
and the person has a good reputation on the boards
then I would have no problem with letting them pick something up for me.

If someone asked me to do it for them I would do it no problem.
You see an item on ebay in my area and you want it inspected
before you buy it I would be glad to go have a look for you.
And I wouldn't try to beat you out of it. Even if I needed it.

I have rarely seen dishonest or crooked people on forums I visit.
People like that don't last long on boards like these.

Somebody once said it and I believe it.
"Protect your reputation. It is your most valuable asset."

Pooh Bear

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Well, there a bums everywhere, but if you expect one around every corner you're going to live a sucky life.

How's that for philosophy?

That said, it might make a difference if the thing is $50 or $5,000. Might also make a difference if the person joined yesterday and has no posts or if they've been around a while.

Cliff

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( might make a difference if the thing is $50 or $5,000. Might also make a difference if the person joined yesterday and has no posts or if they've been around a while )</font>

That's my opinion, too. A few years ago I bought a "used" toothbar from another member, and you know I can't remember whether he sent it first or I sent a check first, but I think we probably both sent from our end about the same time. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif At any rate, I got the toothbar and he got paid. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif