All you need to know to stay safe while using Fixiones

Buyer Safety

• When contacting the seller, get them on the phone and talk to them directly about the product or service which they are offering. Make sure they know their stuff and don’t be afraid to ask them a lot of questions. Never reveal any of your personal information such as address, home phone number, social security number, driver’s license number, bank account information, etc.

• Always plan on meeting the seller face-to-face and in a public place where a lot of people are around. You are much less likely to get scammed where there are a lot of people. If you must go to the seller’s residence to obtain the item, never go alone. Take as many people along with you as possible and try not to enter the seller’s house if at all possible. Ask them to bring the item outside.

• Avoid buying lemons! Don’t get too excited about the product that you are purchasing. Take your time to really check out to see if it works. If you are not able to judge if it works effectively, bring a professional along to evaluate the item for you. If the price is too good to be true, chances are, it probably is.

• Always pay for the item in cash, unless of course the item is of a significant value, pay by cashier’s check. NEVER wire money directly to the seller, or send money through Moneygram, Western Union, Paypal, etc., or send a money order or personal check to the seller. (They will receive your money, and chances are, you will not receive the product).

• Refrain from making any transaction from people who live too far to meet in person, such as another country. It is always best to deal locally. Be patient and you will find just what you need close to where you live.

• Always trust your gut! If you are feeling uneasy about something, don’t be afraid to say that you are not interested in the item and leave. You can always find what you are looking for from somewhere else. Don’t feel guilty for leaving the situation.

• Always ask for a receipt for the item that you have purchased. Keep the seller’s email address, name, address, phone number, or whatever information you have obtained on record just in case a problem arises later.

• Do not make a purchase which includes downloading programs to your computer. It may include a virus and could possibly damage your computer. Download directly only from trustworthy websites.

• If the seller claims to be a business, always investigate it to see that they are a trustworthy business. Look online for information about them online with the Better Business Bureau, call the store directly to hear how they speak to their customers on the phone, or drop by the business directly to see what type of company you are dealing with.

Seller Safety

• When making contact with the buyer, it is best to talk to them directly on the phone about the service or product which you are offering. Answer any questions they may have thoroughly and honestly. Never reveal your personal information.

• When selling your product, meet the buyer face-to-face and in a public place where a lot of people are around. You are much less likely to get scammed where there are a lot of people. If the buyer must come to your house to obtain the item, make sure you are not home alone. If you live alone, invite some friends over. The more people that are present and meet the buyer face-to-face, the less chance that something could occur later. Try to have the item outside, or close to the front door so the buyer doesn’t have to enter your house. Keep all of your personal information hidden and away.

• Tell the buyer only the truth about your product or service. If it is faulty or defective in any way, do not hide this information from them. Tell only the truth about what you are selling.

• If the buyer wants the item evaluated by a professional, allow them, although always stay with the item and watch it while it is being inspected.

• Only accept cash for payments. If the item is of a high value, do not accept anything except for a cashier’s check that you obtain from the financial institution where the buyer banks. Plan a time to meet the buyer at their financial institution to guarantee the cashier’s check is real and legit.

• Never accept checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks directly from the buyer. They may be fraudulent and you will not find out until you try to cash them and will not be able to be refunded.

• Never take any money wired directly, through Moneygram, Western Union, Paypal, etc. Stick with cash, it is always the best.

• Refrain from making any transactions with people who live in another country or who want you to send the item to another country, and those who offer to pay you more than what you are asking for to do the favor of shipping the item somewhere for them.

• If the buyer says they are out of town and cannot meet you in person, avoid dealing with them or wait until they are in town and are able to meet face-to-face.

• Offer a receipt to the buyer with their contact information listed on it, especially if the item is worth a significant value. Sign the receipt and have the buyer sell it as well as proof that an agreement was made between the two parties on a specific date to transfer ownership of the listed item(s). If a problem arises later, you will need proof that the transaction occurred. Keep a copy of the receipt for yourself and give one to the buyer.