[Gunny]

A Latin phrase for "let the buyer beware." The term is primarily used in real property transactions. Essentially it proclaims that the buyer must perform their due diligence when purchasing an item or service.

In other words, consumers need to know their rights and be vigilant in avoiding scams. For example in the private purchase of a used car, caveat emptor places an onus on the buyer to make sure the car is worth the purchase price. This is because once the transaction is complete the buyer will not receive a warranty or return option from the seller.

 

[Layonnn]

re: MUST READ! Caveat Emptor "Let the Buyer Beware"

Just to add to what Dave said, if you did receive an item that was not as described or the buyer was shady in anyway, please leave feedback in the buyer/seller transaction area to let other know.

Paypal is the best way to handle these transactions. If something goes wrong with the sale or you never received anything, paypal can get your money back in some cases.

 

[Gunny]

re: MUST READ! Caveat Emptor "Let the Buyer Beware"

This sub-forum is available for research on anyone you may be doing business with in the future:

Transaction Feedback for Buyers/Sellers - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

 

[Gunny]

re: MUST READ! Caveat Emptor "Let the Buyer Beware"

Ok folks, we have been kicking around ideas on how to prevent any bad transactions in the future amongst the mods/admins. Short story is, there is not a whole lot we can do to prevent it, short of removing the buy/sell sub-forums all together. I don't think anyone wants to see that happen because the vast majority of transactions that originate here go well and people find some pretty good deals within the community.

The idea of having a single thread listing links to negative feedback threads by user name was considered. However, it is just a redudancy of what already exists. If someone doesn't take the time to search for negative feedback on a seller in the forum that already exists, they won't look in that thread either.

We talked about what is done on other forums, IH8MUD being one of them. They have a feedback option in the users profile. But from what I understand, that never gets used. Also, from what I understand, they do not delete posts or ban members for being a bad seller/buyer either.

I wish there was an easy solution but the honest truth is, there isn't. At some point, we are all big boys and girls, and are responsible for our own actions. It REALLY sucks when someone get's ripped off in a deal and it is really sad that our society has turned this direction.

The suggestions made like using paypal, credit cards, etc. to protect yourself are the best advice, remember to CYA.

I recommend using the "advanced search" on a user function and narrowing the search to the "feedback" sub-forum. That way you will be able to see if that person has ever had anything negative or hopefully positive threads/comments made about them. If you need help with the advanced search function ask "fjfunjunkie", I'm sure he will be more than willing to give you a tutorial on it.

This probably isn't going to make everyone happy but as the old saying goes.......

"You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.

Please continue to post your positive and begative feedback threads in the future. This is the best defense we have as a community to police our own.