Tips For Buyers

Buy safely

Never pay any money in advance, no matter how reliable the seller seems to be.
Remember, even if the seller discloses their personal information or bank account number, this does not prevent you from being cheated. Fraudsters often offer to provide proof of identity (IC, passport, driving license, etc) as a "guarantee". This does not protect you against fraud!
Postage paid by seller or registered mail is not risk free. You have no way to verify the package's contents before you pay for it.
Where possible, request for an original written receipt for the purchase.
Most fraud cases take place when the buyer and seller do not meet.
When you make payments and money transfers online, you should be aware of 'Phishing'. Phishing is when someone tries to trick you to obtain sensitive information such as passwords, bank account and credit card numbers, etc. It is often triggered by fake e-mails from Internet sites you know or trust, asking you to click a link and fill in your personal data / information.
Never send your bank or checking account information to anyone. This information may provide a way for someone to take money directly from your account. Normally, banks do not offer protection if money is properly transferred out of your account.
Many sellers and buyers use payment services like PayPal. These services allow sellers to accept credit cards, checks, and money orders online, making it convenient for buyers to keep their payment information private. Each payment service has different regulations regarding fraud protection. We suggest contacting your preferred payment service to learn what forms of protection they offer. Never use payment services such as Western Union, MoneyGram, or BidPay, as it may be very difficult to control/stop payment with these services. Such services are also popular with fraudsters for the same reasons.
Note that mySimplifeds.com does NOT send any confirmation of payment.

Take extra precaution when...

The offer sounds too good to be true.
The other party keeps pushing you to complete the deal.
Someone asks for your bank account or credit card number.
Paying large amounts to people you don't know. Try to meet up at a shop or at a public place.
Buying branded items. It is always advisable to meet up with the buyer at a shop and check the authenticity of the item.

Know what you are buying

Before making an offer to a seller, ask questions to learn more about what they are selling.
You can send a seller a message, then offer a price when you are comfortable with purchasing the item.
We also recommend checking retail prices and other members' prices for comparison purposes.
Remember, if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is. Significantly low prices may mean the item is refurbished, or the seller is running a scam.
In particular, be careful when purchasing high-tech goods, especially when prices are far below retail. Certain high-end items such as flat-panel displays, notebook computers, and cell phones are likely targets for scammers. In many cases, it's appropriate to ask for a serial number before sending payment.

Know your seller

Visit the seller's profile page to see what other members have said about them.
When a buyer completes a transaction with a seller, they are able to provide a rating, informing other members of their experience. Additionally, look at the seller's other classifieds for a better idea of what type of seller you are dealing with.
Buyers should always research a seller's feedback history prior to initiating a transaction. Feedback is the leading indicator of a seller's overall quality. Look for clues within a seller's feedback that indicate the following: The ability to fulfill and ship orders in a timely fashion, a seller's willingness to resolve transaction disputes, and an indication that the quality of the products shipped matches the description supplied by the seller.

Possible signs of a suspicious seller

Request that you send your payment overseas
Only accept Western Union or another money transfer service (e-Gold)
Recommend an unfamiliar escrow or payment service
List an address that is different from their member page
Refuse to give you a working shipment tracking number
Continuously provide excuses about why you haven't received an item
Use images taken from other websites, or photos that are not of the item in their ad
Sell suspect copies of software, music, or videos
Sell an expensive popular item at a very low price point
Not upfront about the authenticity of items for sale