Dolly Scams and botched deals on the rise?

[Astrid]

What is your opinion?

It seems to me that when I first started in this hobby in 2004 that you didn't hear to much about dolly scams through the boards and market places but now it seems like every time you turn around someone is being banned from doll boards because they have scammed people .

I have seen some previously reputable sellers just drop off the face of the earth after taking a lot of money for goods that were never sent, some that I have bought stuff from. When I buy stuff I now only usually deal with people who have been around for awhile and have a good reputation and can be easily traced but even then I have seen some 'old timers' dissapear. Its kind of scary.

so do you see a trend? There is also a poll : )

[Dark Angel]

Ever since the first time I sent my doll to get faceupped and body blushed and I ended up sending her to a thief!!! I've checked feedback.

And then, a lady I've met in person, and bought from and commissioned suddenly stopped sending doll heads back to her customers. I guess she got sick, and then never returned PM's or anything. I donno, but it's a shame, she did amazing work and had a great deal for people that lived in MI with her. Shame.

[x0xPeachyx0x]

Le sigh, I was a Kazakai Victum =\ but ever since then, I check feedback, and ask around, but i like to stick to people ive known around the hobbie for years lol I think the ettiquette has gone bad both ways for the most part- so much so That i tend to avoid larger dollie sites

[Stormlight]

I haven't had any serious issues so far, although there were a few close calls. I'd made a large order from a certain popular seller right around the time he stopped sending things out, and even then, I'd had to file a dispute with paypal until he actually sent the stuff. Up until then, his reputation had been excellent and I'd ordered from him before. I still don't know what happened to change that.

I usually check feedback threads but even then they can't always be relied on. One person I made a trade with had excellent feedback, but she didn't send the doll when she was supposed to, kept making excuses about why it wasn't sent and then made up stories about having sent it but losing the tracking number I specifically asked for. She tried to foist the whole thing off on her boyfriend, even though it wasn't him I'd made the trade with. I did eventually get my doll but needless to say I won't be buying, selling, or trading with this person again and I don't care how good her feedback is.

[Kirahfaye]

I haven't had a scam problem so far, but I have run into delivery issues. For example, I recently bought several SD items for my incoming doll only to have 3 of them not get sent out for various reasons until a week later (one person claims to be moving but didn't bother to tell me that up front). One person I bought from hasn't been back to the forum since I sent my money (less than $15.00, but still) and so far no package. . . . I also bought a Fer from a member on DOA. I'm hoping that the pick up notice I got yesterday is for that - it *was* pricey!

My worst problem was when I sent out my BBB Mei for a spa treatment. I had participated in a GO with the person so I felt secure doing business with her, however it took over 2 months to get the doll back. Now she was very apologetic and explained there were family financial issues that caused it, but it still took her two weeks beyond that to finally ship the doll. I don't really think she was trying to rip me off and i felt bad for her at the time, but I regret giving her positive feedback now - the face up was not well done.

[arrowchild]

Honestly? I think it's just a matter of the hobby increasing in size and the economy going sour. There has been a big influx of new people in this hobby and, if financial situations arise, the less than honest ones, (which there are more of now simply because there are more people involved), wind up taking advantage.
I just make it a point to check sellers feedback. It's the sensible thing to do and 9 times out of 10, it's a very good indicator of a seller's integrity.
I've had a couple of issues over the years, notably one with a doll I'd purchased, (I wound up being one of the only people who actually recieved my doll from the seller who'd sold quite a few, though it was months later after I'd lost all hope lol), and one with a pair of jeans I'd commissioned, (I recieved those in the end as well, though again, months later and only after hounding the person).
But for every bad expierience, I've had oodles of good ones. Amazing ones in fact, with lovely, funny and generous people.
I'm not about to let the few bad apples spoil the bunch for me.

[Greyhaunt]

I think I've been lucky, but I do admit I only buy from people on DoA who have a lot of good feedback, and I rarely buy overly expensive items. the closest call I had was when I bought my AoD Rao through the Singapore dealer who worked well for a while and then suddenly flaked and stopped shipping dolls, etc... I was lucky, in the end, to have gotten my doll based on what I read.

I'm cautious, yea, but not too paranoid. I think Arrowchild has hit it on the head - bad economy + more people in hobby = more problem people.

[Astrid]

x0xPeachyx0x-- I remember following that thread even though I didn't post and thought it was a horrible thing to happen to anyone. I know her picture is still up on the wall creatures site with a MSD. Its from the year that I think it happened.

Stormlight- I know who you are talking about and even though I do beileve giving people the benefit of the doubt I could not beilve that people were like 5- 6 months in to waiting and Moggie just left them while he was still active on other boards.

I have been a seller with a lot to ship out and I hurt my back and was in bed for 2 weeks then got the flu and was in bed for another 3 weeks so I was out of it for amonth but when I saw that I couldnt send things to the post after the first week wit my back being bad I had my husband ship them then I Put a hold on selling stuff. But basically it was super important to me that the customers got their items.

I know some people may be in a situation where they dont have anyone to help them ship out or get hospitalized but now with todays technology email on cell phones there is always a way to let your customers know what is going on.

arrowchild- you are right - more people more chance of fraud and poor economy.

[Biff]

I so far haven't really had any major issues, but imo as long as you're paying with paypal and not using personal payment, I don't fret over it as much as the transaction can always be disputed.

[Biff]

I so far haven't really had any major issues, but imo as long as you're paying with paypal and not using personal payment, I don't fret over it as much as the transaction can always be disputed.

I would avoid anyone forcing you to go through personal payment, as that's against paypal's tos. I'd take it as a bad sign. I also dislike sellers trying to make us add paypal fees, with imo should be worked into the total cost. Buyers paying sellers fees is against Paypal's tos.