Internet safe trading tips
We want all members to experience hassle-free and safe trading on bobshop.co.za. Buyers have added peace of mind through the Bob Shop Buyer Protection Programme. Here are some tips to trade safely online:
Phishing
Never disclose your personal/confidential data like your password in any email, over the phone or in any other form of communication. Bob Shop by policy, will never ask you for your password.
If such confidential information is requested from you, you are most likely the recipient of an attempted phishing attack. Simply ignore the request.
Phishing is a type of scam designed to steal your identity to gain access to your Bob Shop account. In phishing scams, the scam artists entice you to disclose valuable personal data such as your username and password by convincing you that they are genuinely communicating directly from Bob Shop.
There has been an increasing trend internationally and now locally for such phishing schemes to be carried out online through spam email or pop-up windows. These email addresses seem genuine, as the sender address creates the impression that it was sent from Bob Shop. They are NOT and there are signs that will alert you to the fact that they are not authentic mails. The most important sign is to always check the URL in your browser to make sure that it is www.bobshop.co.za and not some other arbitrary URL.
If you are in any doubt about the source of an email claiming to come from us or of the validity of our website, contact Bob Shop on 010 005 6200.
Check the other users' Bob Shop ratings
Before transacting with another Bob Shop user, check their trading history on Bob Shop (you can do this by reviewing their ratings). By reviewing the experience other users had, you can ascertain whether further checks are required before transacting with them.
Ask for contact details
After you have successfully sold or won an item, you will be sent an email with the contact details of the other respective party involved in the auction. Give them a call or send them an e-mail requesting for details such as:
- Physical address
- Phone number
Verify the details if possible. Under the Consumer Protection Act, you are entitled to the sellers contact information, address and company registration details.
Sellers beware
Sellers please be extra cautious when dealing with overseas buyers who insist on paying using credit cards. These buyers often use stolen or invalid credit cards.
Be cautious when dealing with new users or users with no ratings, trying to speed up the process, pressurising you into shipping goods off immediately.
Before shipping/handing over any goods, ensure that your money has cleared. For example, a cheque handed to you at collection may bounce. Even if you receive proof of payment, always wait for funds to clear before shipping goods. Be wary of buyers who offer you additional money to speed up the process or insist on sending goods to another address (different to the order address).
Buyers beware
Buyers should be extra cautious when finalising a transaction, as it is usually buyers who will be requested to deposit or send monies to the seller. Remember: if the deal looks too good to be true, it is highly likely that it is not true!
Be cautious when dealing with new sellers or sellers with no ratings, trying to speed up the process or pressurising you into completing payment immediately. Be wary of sellers who tell you that this is the last one in stock or that they have another buyer interested in the item to put pressure on you to finalise the payment and offering immediate shipping via courier if you make prompt payment.
- Do not deposit money into a bank account or send money to a Postal Box if you cannot verify the identity of the seller.
- Be very wary of users (especially those overseas) requesting to use the following payment methods or delivery companies:
- Western Union
- Moneygram or Money Order
- E-Gold / E-gol / Osgol / Goldmoney
- Payment via Wire
- UPS
- DHL
- Fedex
- Express Postal Service
The importance of rating
Nearly all our auctions and buy nows end successfully, but we would like to eliminate negative experiences during the fulfilment process. If you have dealt with a member who has been slow in delivering or has been hard to contact or has been rude to you, rate them!
The rating system has been designed so other members can gauge the type of person they will be dealing with once an auction or buy now has successfully closed. This system can only work if everyone uses it. So please, make it a habit to rate a member after every auction or buy now. You can do this by going to that member's rating while you are logged in (a box will be displayed for you to enter the rating).
Educate yourself
An educated buyer is a safe buyer. Shop around, research the product - use the internet to check availability, pricing, indicative market prices, use comparative pricing sites etc. Get to know the product, check the functions, features and characteristics. If you are unsure, ask. Check with local suppliers and retailers for more details or information. Lastly, if it's too good to be true, rather check the seller out first by contacting us directly to do a check on the user. Better safe than sorry!
Ask questions
Don't be afraid to ask the seller questions regarding the listing or the item they are selling. Just click on the ask a question link, posted in every item listing. We would advise you to proceed with caution when dealing with sellers who do not answer questions or evade your questions.
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