Buying and selling safely
What is Sportbilia policy on buying and selling safely?
What checks does Sportbilia make on all those registering?
What help is there in deciding whether or not another user can be trusted?
What are the best methods of payment for reducing the risks of fraud?
I think that another user has behaved dishonestly, what do I do?
What is meant by “shilling” and “shielding”?
How do I report an unpaid item?
How does feedback make the site safer?
What is Sportbilia policy on buying and selling safely?
It is Old Sports Auction’s mission to provide all our users with as safe a marketplace as possible and to promote fair and honest trading. However, no marketplace is infallible and it is ultimately your decision as to whether or not to trade with another user of Sportbilia. The decision to bid, buy or swap is entirely yours and Sportbilia has no legal responsibility if issues do arise.
What checks does Sportbilia make on all those registering?
Sportbilia undertakes a number of checks when anyone registers to help ensure that they are who they say they are and to make the site a safe environment. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns about the safe operation of the site.
What help is there in deciding whether or not another user can be trusted?
We provide a variety of ways to help you decide whether or not to bid, buy or offer a swap on an item of memorabilia with another user. Here are the main options that you have available to help you verify if another user can be trusted:-
1. Ask questions
If the user has a live listing in the auction or the Market Place ask them questions about the listed item. You need never bid or buy an item that you’re not sure about. If you have any doubts or questions, just post the seller a question before you either bid, buy or swap. Every item listed has “Post seller/user a question” link to let you send a question direct to the seller or user.
Note: you must be registered with Sportbilia to post another user a question.
2. Check the user’s feedback
You can check the user’s reputation by clicking on the Feedback rating besides the User ID. Read in the feedback details what other users have said about the user’s reliability, item quality and level of service.
A zero rating could just mean the user is new so don’t necessarily hold that against them. If the new user is registered with a payment processor like Paypal they are more likely to be trustworthy.
3. View all a user’s listings
View a users other auctions or items listed in The Marketplace to see any other items the user has listed. This may help build up your view of the user and you may also find something else that interests you!
4. Apply common sense
If an item of memorabilia worth £100 is being offered at a fixed price of £10 it’s more than likely to be too good to be true and probably should be avoided or at the very least proceed with caution.
What are the best methods of payment for reducing the risks of fraud?
When payment is made by credit card you have the protection of your credit card company. Using a payment processor like Paypal with your credit card is probably the safest way to complete a purchase. In addition to the credit card protection the payment processor will have verified the identity of the user registering to use its services and will have other protection policies.
Payment by cheque is traceable and is a good option. Money orders from your bank or post office are a reasonable option but can be cashed at outlets where little verification is required. We recommend that you only pay by cash if you are completing the purchase in person.
I consider that another user has behaved dishonestly, what do I do?
If you consider that another user has behaved dishonestly and you have taken all reasonable attempts to resolve the issue you should report then report it to us. Contact us at the Internet Fraud Centre and please remember to include the item number, sports category, payment details, copies of any email correspondence and any other information you think will be helpful. We will do our best to contact the other user and to resolve the issue. We may report the incident to the police.
What is meant by “shilling” and “shielding”?
Shilling occurs when a user either asks other “partner” users or establishes other user accounts to bid on their own item and drive the price of the item up. Shielding occurs when two users working together artificially inflate the bidding on an item and this discourages other genuine users from bidding. At the last minute the “shielder” user cancels their high bid leaving the other user to win the auction with an artificially low bid.
Shilling and shielding will not be tolerated by Sportbilia and will result in immediate closure of the user(s) registration. If you believe any user(s) are operating a shilling or shielding system please report them to the Internet Fraud Centre.
How do I report an unpaid item?
How does feedback make the site safer?
Leaving feedback for buyers and sellers is an important part of participating in the Sportbilia community. This is your chance to let other users of Sportbilia know what it was like to do business with your buyer.
The feedback system helps give everyone incentive to be honest, timely, and fair. And it helps both buyers and sellers make decisions about who to trade with.
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