Paying seller through Walmart MoneyGram for parts???

[hgill]

:behindsofa:

So I was in the market for a borla exhaust and had a member (new member with zero post count) give me info on someone they know that may be selling it.

Emailed the person and they emailed back with a photo of the exhaust as well as some info on how it used to be on their previous 4runner. Guy is located in Wisconsin and Im in Cali.

Long story short, seller says they had they previous paypal account hacked and thus refuses to use paypal ever again. He wants me to send money via Walmart Moneygram (he states his reason being that his wife works there and can easily verify payment). Anyhow I go on the Walmart Moneygram website and its basically like sending someone money, but not a service typically used for buying goods or services. The person can literally withdraw the money on their end as soon as I send it and there is no place to document an exchange of goods or services.

I also called MoneyGram and they themselves indicated that they do not provide any buyer protection as they service is meant more as a way to send and receive money than for the purchase of goods or services.

I have ALWAYS used paypal and have been glad a few times when I came across issues with shitty sellers. Not saying this guy is like that, but $500 bucks is $500 bucks ($500 shipped, $550 with walmart fees).

He had now suggested that he will give me his bank info. to deposit the money in his account, which I will not do either as its the same thing. I am basically giving money to someone without any buyer protection in case I dont get what I am paying for.

Anyone else ever use MoneyGram for buying any parts?

Since the guy wont use paypal, any other options you guys recommend?

 

[85straight]

Sounds pretty dam shady. Stop communication and keep looking. I bet he starts to get desperate and starts to blow up your email about the money. Hope you didn’t provide any personal info.

Just may be me personally but even if said seller was not acting shady I wouldn’t drop $500 on a parts(s) I couldn’t touch and inspect before handing over the money

 

[DZNUTS]

Did he also tell you he was a member of the Nigerian royalty and if you wire him $500 to help him get home, he’ll pay you back $5000?

Tell him to go take a hike


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[geocook717]

Venmo is another online option (edit: really a "mobile" option with regards to my experiences), though I am not sure if that will provide the reassurance you are seeking either. An option nonetheless.

If you feel its shady, I would say walk away. Also, I personally would probably consider blasting the forum member on here as to avoid any future scams form occurring to others, if that's the case. I am not saying that is it. Just my observation.

So far I have bought two items from the forum, one in person, one via the webs. Both have gone without a hitch, but I did not get any off feeling. If I had, I would do what I advised above, most likely, esp for $500 bones.

 

[fourwd1]

I think you answered your own question in tbe last paragraph of your post.

It may be legit, but you could as easily get screwed.

 

[hgill]

After seller indicated that they are in charge of dictating the method of payment (even one that provides the buyer no protection at all), I’ve decided to cancel the whole transaction all together. I have bought plenty of things for my cars online In the past and have never had any thing like this before.

I have another seller for a trd exhaust (not my first choice, but still a good exhaust), that’s in Cali and willing to meet up for the sale.

I just couldn’t get myself to take a chance on sending money to someone without any type of assurance or buyer protection.

Thanks everyone.


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[MSRP.]

Smart.
If they could not be bothered to sign up and make a legitimate classified post here, amazon/ebay, they sure as hell aint' going to be bothered boxing it all up nicely before sending it on your way.

Paypal is a bit shitty for sellers these days, but without an accompanying script of what you're sending payment for, and agreed terms, you made the right call.

 

[ddnww]

I have bought something that way before, didn't have a problem. But the seller I met on a facebook group where your word will make or break your name , kinda like here. It was also only a small purchase of like $40 so it was worth the gamble.

 

[hgill]

I have bought something that way before, didn't have a problem. But the seller I met on a facebook group where your word will make or break your name , kinda like here. It was also only a small purchase of like $40 so it was worth the gamble.

I would be okay with it for a small purchase like that, but because it was at the $550 mark, it was just too hard to justify taking a chance. Never know nowadays.


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[Jeffy]

you lucked out by not sending him money....
It's the exact same picture from this post, even on the same forum...

Reverse Google Image Search for the win

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/206100-2003-2009-borla-dual-exhaust-v6-v8.html

 

[hgill]

you lucked out by not sending him money....
It's the exact same picture from this post, even on the same forum...

Reverse Google Image Search for the win

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/206100-2003-2009-borla-dual-exhaust-v6-v8.html

Son of a *****. Definitely glad I passed on that.

What’s irritating is that another member pmd me the guys name and email saying that it was his friend that was selling it. Not cool.

Definitely going to wait till I can find one I can see first hand before buying. Too many crooks out there.


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[DZNUTS]

Son of a *****. Definitely glad I passed on that.

What’s irritating is that another member pmd me the guys name and email saying that it was his friend that was selling it. Not cool.

Definitely going to wait till I can find one I can see first hand before buying. Too many crooks out there.


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Almost makes me wonder if the member was in on it, or was in fact the seller himself


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[theoutbackdream]

Is the Nigerian princes son going out to pick up the MO from his wife too, who conveniently works at Wally-world?

I say it's shady as hell.