Buying and Selling Dolls Online--How To Protect Yourself
It is a sad fact of life that some people are dishonest, others forgetful, and others misinformed about dolls. Just like in a real life transaction at a doll show or shop, you need to protect yourself from being "taken" by the less-than scrupulous when you buy or sell dolls on the Internet. Unlike real life, when you purchase a doll online, you can’t inspect it yourself. As a seller, your biggest fears are someone not paying you after the doll is sent, or someone returning a doll to you that is in worse condition than when you sent it. As a buyer, your biggest fear is getting no doll at all after you have paid for it, or a doll that is in much worse condition than described. Here are some things you can do to help protect yourself in online transactions, as both a buyer and a seller:
Buying:
1. Get REFERENCES: If you are dealing with an unknown person or
entity, find out the names of other people who have had
successful online transactions
with the seller, and CONTACT THEM, via e-mail or phone.
2. Send a CHECK, and not a money order, whenever possible (this is the reverse of what you would prefer as a seller). You can stop a check, but there is little you can do about a money order if things go bad in the middle of a deal. Or use an established payment method such as PayPal.
3. Get EXTENSIVE DESCRIPTIONS. Ask questions if the initial description is not detailed enough, and make sure you receive answers. If you sense resistance, or receive evasiveness or vague answers, PASS.
4. Get PICTURES whenever possible. If the seller is not equipped to send them via e-mail, then request them via snail mail (computer-speak for US Postal Service).
5. Get a RETURN PRIVILEGE; You WILL get dolls that are over-optimistically described, and you WILL use this privilege if you buy many dolls online.
6. Use COMMON SENSE: If something feels "off" about the doll, the seller, or the transaction, or you just get a bad feeling, LISTEN to your inner self, and pass on the doll. It isn’t worth taking a chance, and your inner warning system is usually reliable. The few times I have been "burnt" on a doll, if I had paid attention to my misgivings, I wouldn’t have been!
7. Don’t be RUSHED: If the seller is in an undue rush (desperate for money; family emergency, raising cash), your warning system should go off. Another doll will come along; PASS
8. Get a PHONE NUMBER and an ADDRESS. Don’t rely on an e-mail address and a post-office box; both can be ignored or disappear. Call the phone number.
9. KEEP CORRESPONDENCE: Keep all computerized correspondence until the doll is delivered, in case there is a dispute.
10. Do NOT Take Part In A THIRD PARTY Transaction: Don’t buy a doll from x who is either selling or shipping it for y. This is a recipe for disaster; you can get caught in the middle of a dispute between the two parties. This has happened to me; a lady went on a long vacation, left a doll with a friend to ship when my $$ were received. They had a dispute over postage and shipping costs (and, she stiffed her friend on the electricity bill). I had to pay postage and handling on the doll AGAIN (my cheapest option to get out of this), while the two parties continued to argue and I didn’t get my doll for nearly a month!
11. Does The Transaction Sound Too Good To Be True? Is someone offering you a perfect Jumeau for $500? RUN, quickly, in the opposite computerized direction.
12. Don’t Buy Dolls that are TOO EXPENSIVE Online: Set a limit that won’t be TOO painful if all of your precautions are of no use, and you get stuck with the dog doll of the century, or, even worse, no doll at all after payment. Remember, only YOU know what is too big a risk for you to take--for one person, it might be $50. For another, $5,000.
13. SHIPPING INSURANCE: It is a good idea to have this, in case your doll is lost or damaged in transit.
Selling:
1. Get REFERENCES. Does the buyer pay their bills? Get e-mail and phone references from online transactions to make sure.
2. MONEY ORDERS AND CHECK CLEARANCE: When you sell, money orders are best for YOU. Money Orders are best. If you accept checks, make 100% sure it has cleared your bank before you ship the doll. PayPal is generally safe as well; just be sure to let any electronic PayPal checks clear.
.3 Get a PHONE NUMBER and ACTUAL ADDRESS. Don’t rely on an e-mail address and post office box or a PMB. Call the phone number.
4. DISCLOSE ALL FLAWS: As mentioned above. Be 100% honest, or you will end up with unsuccessful transactions and returns!
5. Have POLICIES ON PAYMENT: Also as mentioned above, and stick to them
6. Offer a RETURN POLICY--I offer return for anything that is NOT as described (purchaser finds a flaw I didn’t describe, etc.) and a more liberal policy if asked for it up front.
7. Keep CORRESPONDENCE, DOCUMENTATION AND PICTURES: Since you DO offer a return policy, you need to protect yourself against the unscrupulous buyer who may return to you a DIFFERENT doll of the same type, which is in worse condition than yours (this is not very common, but could happen). I know one lady who sent out a mint #6 vintage Barbie, and what was returned to her was a very played with #6 Barbie. At least until the transaction is successfully completed, keep everything in case of a dispute.
8. Make The Buyer Purchase SHIPPING INSURANCE. It will help you have peace of mind, in case the box doesn’t arrive. Also, it gives you proof of successful delivery.
9. Ship PROMPTLY, and let your customer know when to expect shipment. If you are going on a one week vacation, and can’t ship that week, let your buyers know in ADVANCE so they don’t get nervous when their e-mails to you aren’t answered.
10. UPS VS. US MAIL?: This is a personal choice; I have had good luck with Priority Mail, Insured. My UPS packages are often received more mangled than my post office ones, because UPS ships so many heavy packages. BUT, UPS has a marvelous tracking service; you can track a package with your computer. So, for my very expensive or large dolls, I DO use UPS. Both services offer return receipts for a fee, and for expensive dolls, I would purchase this extra peace of mind.
11. PACK the doll well. You DO NOT want to have an expensive doll ruined in transit. You will have a headache to deal with, a ruined sale, and an unhappy customer.
I hope these tips are helpful; in future articles, we will cover buying and selling dolls via eBay and other online auctons, as well as buying and selling dolls via other methods on the Internet.
Drawings courtesy of http://www.arttoday.com
