With online classified sites becoming increasingly popular with Internet users, one of their top priorities is the safety of such sites.
A new survey commissioned by Kijiji, eBay’s free local classified site, found 36 percent of visitors to online classified sites are concerned about ads that may be misleading or fraudulent.
More than a quarter (28%) of visitor’s worry their email address will be spammed, while 26 percent are concerned about getting a computer virus and 24 percent are concerned about classified ads that may have adult content.
While misleading ads and computer viruses may prevent some consumers from visiting online classified sites, more than half (56%) of those surveyed indicated that people who buy and things via online classified sites are responsible for looking out for themselves.
Kijiji provides the following tips:
Think Local: Making local connections helps reduce fraud. When buying or selling, always meet in person to see the product and exchange funds. Never send or wire money to sellers or buyers.
Ask Questions: To ensure you know exactly what you are considering purchasing, ask about the condition of the item and when it was purchased.
Use the Buddy System: Whether you’re selling or buying, bring a friend along with you to check out the item you are considering purchasing or selling. In addition to being a safety precaution, you’ll also have someone there to provide a second opinion on your potential purchase.
Be Prepared to Negotiate: Most sellers price their items high, knowing that potential buyers may try to bargain. When purchasing an item, it doesn’t hurt to ask the seller if they’re willing to be flexible on the price — you may be surprised at the deal they give you!
Listen to Your Mother: You may not have wanted to take her advice when you were young, but your mother really did mean it when she said, “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Like anything else, use your common sense when purchasing an item. If something about an online listing or user raises a red flag for you, trust your gut.
Be Descriptive: Be as descriptive as possible when developing your listing. Include the size, measurements, color, model, style and any other unique features about the item in the description. Also, be sure to take clear images of the item from
