Dolly Scams and botched deals on the rise?

[Mary Kathryn]

My first doll purchase was quite harrowing. I ordered my Soom Mini Gem Uyoo through e-bay from what I gathered was a reputable dealer in California. So, I'm thinking a delivery time of like five days tops since it's coming through UPS. Except that I keep not getting a tracking number. And no response from the seller. I actually didn't get a response until a week or so after buying the doll with no word at all. No, "oh hay, I sent it out." or "I'm sorry it's been delayed because of blahdy blahdy blah." Nothing. So, I went on the only board I knew at the time, DoA and posted a very loud, very public message front and center in their "Buying/Shipping Qs and Advice." Forum. Two people white knighted right away and told me they were sure I had nothing to worry about. But I guess word got back to the seller and she was calling me on the phone that afternoon. She had no idea where the package was but she was going to find out, etc. etc. etc.
A week later the doll arrived. Priority mail, not UPS. And it had been postmarked the day after I'd talked to the seller.
And this isn't an isolated incident. I bought a wig from her last year because she was the only person carrying it and it took two weeks to get to me. Never again.
I've had less trouble ordering direct from Korea.
And then of course Emory has totally spoiled me.
I haven't had a bad experience on any of the market places (knock on wood.) I do research the seller before I show any interest and as Buff said paypal is really the way to go since you can dispute it if needed.

[Itsaiya]

I'm a bit mistrustful of people I don't know personally, so I've -always- checked feedback and ratings, even on tiny things. Even then I'm quietly up in arms (I don't harrass until it's become obvious something is amiss) until I get used to them like I did Emory or I get the item. At this point with Emory/JS I just pay and (try to, ala anticipation) forget.
I don't take money very lightly - I grew up that way (I guess I can thank mom having once worked for the IRS o_O roflmao) so I guess it's ingrained.

Some people you talk to long enough or just see (...read?) long enough and get a sense of what they're like. I'd trust Kiki, Zircon, Mommieh, Grey, VV, etc, etc, etc (those just came off the top of my head), and so on just based on how they carry themselves - as well as the visual proof (such as seeing all of Kiki's faceups and her happy customers receiving them ala threads... I haven't even read her feedback page )

I think the only time I blind-bought was from Migidoll, but considering how many people were ordering, in their forum layout of an ordering process, that lots and lots of people were ordering every time they opened for sales prior to the time I went for it..... so it kinda made it's own feedback.
That and DDE for my B&G Sharon, Reli. >_> That was a really nervewracking 2-3 months