posted 05-25-2005 08:51               

quote:

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Originally posted by Dave M:
Please don't make a credit card payment with the expectation that you are protected. You should be, but you would be amazed at the situations where reimbursement was denied.

If this "reseller" is legitimate, they should not object to an independent closing service.

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It is my understanding, that for the buyer to pay with a credit card, the seller has to be Paypal certified. If they are not, you will have to make a fund transfer from your bank to Paypal instead. Or at least that was my experience with a recent purchase of $600. I tried to pay with a credit card, but the seller couldn't accept it, because he was not Paypal certified. I agree, insist on using a transfer Co.

posted 05-25-2005 09:08               

$900 plus those fees adds up to a significant chunk of change, although could be worse. Is it a timeshare that you really really really want and that is difficult to buy on the resale market for that price? Af not, then I would really really hesitate. Also, if you back out be prepared for bad feedback, but while it sounds bad to get bad feedback, you have the chance to explain yourself underneath it and while lots of people automatically block people with certain feedback percentages, if you email the seller and explain why you received the negative, most will allow you to bid.

Good luck in your decision.

posted 05-28-2005 07:48               

It's really not fair to the seller to bid on an item if you are not prepared to purchase the item on the terms spelled out in the listing...unless you and the seller come to a mutual agreement beforehand.

posted 05-29-2005 10:22            

quote:

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Originally posted by RodBrannan:
Steve, I agree with you. But I was a little stunned when they were not pay pal verified. Just how do I check that? If you know a way please tell me.
Thnaks, Rod

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Just do a dummy "send money" transaction using the person's e-mail. Before confirming the transfer (which you won't do of course), you'll see a page showing the e-mail address, whether it's verified, and how many unique positive transactions have taken place involving it. you can click on the link next to the person's e-mail for more specific information.

There may be easier ways, but that's always worked for me.

Hope that helps!

Pat

posted 05-29-2005 12:07               

quote:

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Member Status Information is provided to assist buyers in determining how active a seller has been in the PayPal community. As an added security measure, the buyer must have a PayPal account in order to view the member status information.

Member Information provided on sellers:

* Seller Reputation Number
* Account Status
* Account Type
* Account Creation Date
* Time In System
* Payment Receiving Preferences are displayed for a Business and Premier Members
* Business URL, Customer Service Email Address and Customer Service Phone Number are displayed for Business Members

How to View Seller Information

When a buyer makes a payment, a link to the Member Information Box is provided on the Send Money Confirmation page. To view Member Information:

# Click the Send Money tab to locate Member Information.
# Complete the form to send a payment and click Continue.
# Click the blue link to the right of User Status. A Member Information page pops up with the seller's information.
# Click Send Money to complete your payment, or click Cancel to stop the payment.

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posted 06-05-2005 01:21               

I asked them to use my closing company but after calling and speaking with my person, they refused. They said to send the money to their attorney but I said that is not a trust account independent of their firm. I finally said, look, I have 175 positive eBay feedback score and you have 0. Close the purchase without any payment from me, and when I get the recorded deed I will pay you. I think that is fair, under the circumstances, and would have gotten them the positive feedback they sorely need. But understandably, they said no (they want money upfront, as we all do), and we mutually agreed to cancel the purchase.

Once they get some positive feedback I might try again. I would also note for those critics out there, the auction states it is only an interest to purchase and sell, so the company is under the belief it is not a binding auction (I'm not sure they are correct, but this is an "out" for both parties to negotiate after the auction ends).

I would also point out that in real estate, it is customary for the buyer to choose the escrow and title company. Regardless of what is stated in an auction, you should be able to steer the sale to your choice of escrow agents. This is not always possible, due to the way the deeds and notifications are handled by some resellers (e.g., those who get powers of attorney but don't own what they are selling...). But I don't feel it is absolutely necessary to get a seller's OK prior to bidding if you MAY (not WILL) decide to go with your own agent. I don't usually insist except when it looks like I am unprotected, such as it appears on this seller.