Interested to know DO YOU BUY ON LINE? [Archive]

Skew ChiDAMN!!

26th July 2006, 12:53 AM

An emphatic NO, for three reasons.

First off: security. Sure, they say all details are encrypted/secured, but are they really? RC5 & PGP are pretty solid, but I can't say I know anyone who has gone through the tedious processs of creating their own private/public keys before or during an online transaction. So, you're relying solely on their keys and if their 'putas are so safe then what's all this fuss about hackers? I know damed well that their systems aren't as secure as they'd like you to believe. DAMHIKT.

Secondly, SPAM! Have you ever logged on to a site and simply requested a catalogue, then been inundated with a sh!tload of spam when you'd rarely seen any previously? Ever wondered just how you got onto the spammers' mailing list? There's money in them thar lists nowadays and even supposedly "honest" businesses aren't above making extra coin from non-product sales. :rolleyes:

Thirdly, until I can caress, lick and otherwise fondle the item I'm considering purchasing, how do I know that it's the one I want? All too often I'll sort through several packs of apparently identical items on a shelf until I find the one that say "take me home..." :D

Call me paranoid, hell you can call me insane if you will, but there's certain personal financial (and otherwise) info that will never even see my keyboard, let alone be broadcast over the virtual winds... There's already more personal info about me available to any git with a keyboard and a modem than I'll ever be even remotely comfortable with. :(

Ramps

26th July 2006, 01:21 AM

Yeah all the time
from sites all over the world
Ebay a couple of times but mainly from the online bookstores and the like as well as I like to support the maker, designer, musician etc from them directly as I feel they get more of the $$ this way and I still get it at a comparable price. I do try to look after a local guy if they have the products, SUPPORT & KNOWLEDGE if they don't have all these things I can often get a better price on line.
Skew you don't have to join the 21st century don't feel lonely but going your door in the morning is a risk too:eek: . Relaxxxxxx go and create some sawdust...:D

Lignum

26th July 2006, 01:42 AM

I do all the time and have no problem. I also have a seperate credit card with a $500 limit i use just on line, so if their is problems it wont cost me the earth, plus the banks will cover genuine fraud.

Thirdly, until I can caress, lick and otherwise fondle the item I'm considering purchasing, how do I know that it's the one I want? All too often I'll sort through several packs of apparently identical items on a shelf until I find the one that say "take me home..." :D

It was my understanding that the big European and Yank sites security is as tight as a thumb in a bum. They have some of the best electronic security available, so dont be so paranoid Skew, go for it;)

Stuart

26th July 2006, 01:55 AM

If yes:

From Online Auctions,
Which one?
Have you been ripped off online?

If no:

Why not?
Would you ever?

Any other comments? Online auctions: NO. Happy to sell via online auctions, but won't buy from them.

Have bought books from Amazon, from Fox Chapel, from Choice, software from Norton (Ghost), and all sorts of different suppliers (eg disk management tools etc), router bits, can't remember what else. Oh yeah - Ubeaut!

Never been ripped off, never had a purchase result in an inundation of spam. Course, using Thunderbird, I don't see 99% of the spam I receive anyway.

Coldamus

26th July 2006, 09:26 AM

Yes. I buy on eBay often. Don't generally buy from other websites but will if I can pay by direct bank deposit or PayPal rather than credit card. I don't ever give my credit card details over the web. I also sell on eBay. A couple of members here bought Mujis from me. (No, I don't have any more.)

I use a bank account that is not linked to any others and never has more than a couple of hundred dollars in it.

A couple of items I bought turned out to be junk but at the price it didn't matter. On the whole I would be way in front.

I would have to be very confident in the seller before paying anything over, say, $500 on eBay or on the web generally. In other words, I never risk any more than I can afford to lose.

regards
Coldamus

echnidna

26th July 2006, 09:35 AM

I buy far more online than I sell online.
Has been primarily through Greedbay, but no more
I also buy from online book stores such as Amazon and Alibris

Skew,
My Visa debit card is tied to a bank account that only has a limited amount of money in it at any time so exposure is very limited. By checking statements problems indentify easily and the banks are extremely fast at reversing bodgy stuff.

I buy worldwide using paypal and have even got some stuff that just cannot be got in oz.

Zed

26th July 2006, 09:43 AM

craigb

26th July 2006, 09:55 AM

I've bought lots of stuff online. Never had a problem.

I tend only to buy from "reputable" sites though that have some sort of "secure" transaction service. Of course, nothing is ever completely secure, there is a bit of risk involved but if you deal with the bigger companies it's pretty slight I reckon.

When buying off ebay I like to go the direct debit method to the sellers account (I haven't bought from overseas ebay sites).

Zed, I'm curious, have you ever paid for a meal with a credit card?
You've got just as much chance of your details being nicked by the restaurant worker as you have of being ripped of online.

Zed

26th July 2006, 10:03 AM

Zed, I'm curious, have you ever paid for a meal with a credit card?
You've got just as much chance of your details being nicked by the restaurant worker as you have of being ripped of online.

not quite Craig, a mate of mine got scammed a while ago... I've always been very particular about my credit card - I NEVER let it out of my sight and I ALWAYS WATCH them put it thru the machine - if they let me I always try to do the swipe myself... call me luddite:eek: as you know im a "largish bloke" and I can be quite intimidating - so far so good - a few strange looks but who gives a rats, they aint gunna spit in my food after i've eaten it! :)

craigb

26th July 2006, 10:11 AM

not quite Craig, a mate of mine got scammed a while ago... I've always been very particular about my credit card - I NEVER let it out of my sight and I ALWAYS WATCH them put it thru the machine - if they let me I always try to do the swipe myself... call me luddite:eek: as you know im a "largish bloke" and I can be quite intimidating - so far so good - a few strange looks but who gives a rats, they aint gunna spit in my food after i've eaten it! :)

Differnt strokes for different folks (and chimps :D ) I guess.

Clinton1

26th July 2006, 10:53 AM

Online auctions: mostly ePay, also Trademe.
Ripped off: once.
I've bought via a telephone call after browsing a website, as well as ordered online.

I prefer using Paypal, but also use a card that has the $ transferred to it, and is left empty the rest of the time.
Hope it helps.

Jon

26th July 2006, 02:51 PM

I have bought a few things via ebay and only been stung once buying a used item that was faulty from a seller with a no return policy.
I have also bought one thing and be sent a cheaper model but that was fixed up after a couple of emails.
I am very wary of buying something that I have not actually seen in the flesh so that I can gauge it's quality first.
I pay by direct deposit.

Jon

echnidna

26th July 2006, 03:30 PM

yeah, right... I buy online all the time!!!

heres my bank : xxxx

heres my account number : xxx xxxx xxxxx xxx xx

heres my pin code : xxxx

the key to my house is under the front door mat :rolleyes:

All my online purchasing is done through paypal which I fund with my CC.
I do not do any other CC transactions online.

As paypal is now owned by ebay I am thinking of switching to paymate instead. But my new dislike of ebay is in another thread.

ptc

26th July 2006, 04:06 PM

Yes.
camel from Israel.

Auzzie turner

26th July 2006, 07:13 PM

I buy many things off of the internet, and I find it relitively safe, but obviously, some sites are more safer than others.

rod@plasterbrok

27th July 2006, 04:25 PM

Interesting that most people appear to be happy buying on line, but are cautious doing so.

Credit card fraud certainly is the biggest issue for those that won't.

It is great feedback for online sellers.

It is difficult for a genuine seller online to get across they are a genuine seller not a scammer. The credit card issue can be got around using direct deposit, or paypal etc.

But getting across that you have a genuine quality products, that you are there for the long term is more difficult. You can write anything in the advertisement you want. The scammers more than others try to convince you they are genuine. Feedback helps but even that can be fiddled.

If you get caught out once by a scammer you would be put off buying online forever. I buy often and sell on line, haven't been scammed yet.

Thanks for the input to this thread.

I am hoping to get feed back that will assist me wording my online advertisments and the payment terms offered, by understanding the objections that people have to online purchasing.

I think it would be important to get across that you have a regular business operating and can be found in the phone book or company search etc. That online trading is only a part of your business, so that people can contact you in person.

Thanks Rod Dyson

BobL

27th July 2006, 10:01 PM

From Online Auctions, Yes
Which one? More than 1
Have you been ripped off online? Online? No. Offline - Yes
Any other comments? Yeah, I am unlikely to buy plaster products on line

Wild Dingo

27th July 2006, 10:16 PM

By checking statements problems indentify easily and the banks are extremely fast at reversing bodgy stuff.

hahahahahahahaha :D :D :D :D thats a joke right??... so Im laughin here... lets see 5 months (yes 5 months ago) we lodged a complaint with ANZ here about a company called CCBill that had started taking out $58USD per month from the credit card... and EVERY SINGLE FRIGGIN MONTH SINCE the bastards are still taking it out and EVER single month we are still going into the bloody bank and telling them IN WRITING that we dont know who this mob is have never heard of them let alone dealt with them... shyte one bank johnny even suggested we contact the company and sort it... so I found CCBill on the web emailed them to stop taking the money from our account which I had not given approval for them to do their response was to send back an email asking for our password and user name so they could look into it... HOW the bloody blue hell can I do that when we have NEVER EVER dealt with them let alone received a password or user name from the buggars!!... they refused to do anything UNTIL we gave them our password and username!... the BANK still hasnt done a bloody thing and the $58USD keeps coming out!

I buy worldwide using paypal and have even got some stuff that just cannot be got in oz.

Thats the only way I will work online... paypal only... never been biten in an online auction but many times in life particularily when dealing with local services and businesses :mad:

echnidna

27th July 2006, 10:26 PM

Well if a bank treated me like that I'd do 2 things.
I'd complain to the Banking Industry Ombudsman while I was still a customer.
Then I'd switch Banks fast.

rod@plasterbrok

27th July 2006, 11:07 PM

Hmm that seems a bit rich. I had a problem similar once and had it resolved when they couldn't provide evidence that I had approved the payment.

Close the credit card for a start that stops the payments ask the bank to re issue another card. Then refuse to pay the amount until its sorted out. Demand that the company provides evidence that you approved the payment. They must be able to provide this.

Hope that helps.

Coldamus

27th July 2006, 11:13 PM

Wild Dingo,

I you haven't done so already, get the bank to cancel that credit card and issue you with another one. They do it all the time for lost cards so it is no big deal for them to do that.

The shonks at CCBill must have somehow got your card number. Once you get a new card number they won't be able to charge you. It sounds like they were asking for your bank password and user name. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you not to give it to them.

regards
Coldamus

rod@plasterbrok

27th July 2006, 11:15 PM

Just another thing I just looked up ccbill on the net. They would be acting for a 3rd party using their services to bill you.

Click bank also does this. Therefore the actutal "service" being provided for the $58 is not ccbill but someone else.

I know I queeried an amount on my card once from click bank, who I had never heard of. As it turned out it was for some software I had purchased and forgot about, that used click bank to process payments.

I'm not saying that the "service" provided is legit. Just that it might help you find out who it is charging you via ccbill.

cheers
Rod Dyson

Honorary Bloke

28th July 2006, 12:05 AM

I buy things online all the time. Never been ripped off yet. Paypal is my first preference, as I only keep small amounts on deposit there. Credit cards if I think the dealer is reputable.

Never a debit card online--free pipeline to your bank account.:(

Rod, as to your specific concerns:

I buy and sell on e-Bay regularly and rely on their feedback system. I don't buy from folks with no or only a few feedbacks, nor from those with several negative ones.

I buy lots of tools and woodworking stuff online, but only from dealers I know--Amazon, Rockler, Woodpeckers, LV, etc. Many times dealer recommendations come from members of my US forum and that is a good way to find out if others have had bad experiences.

As a vendor, you can also get certification from places like Verisign which are a company who offers some insurance if a customer is ripped off by one of their clients.

Regardless of any personal preferences, online shopping is here to stay and getting bigger every day. You can't lick 'em, so you may as well join 'em.:D

Cliff Rogers

28th July 2006, 12:38 AM

I haven't bought anything at an online auction for ages.

I do buy heaps of computer stuff direct from my wholesalers online all the time.

Have bought lots of books & a few CDs from Amazon.

Have bought Woodwork gear from some of the suppliers online too.

Got a better deal by contacting one of the suppliers & dealing direct with direct deposit instead of credit card via the 'online store' 'cos the 'online store' takes a % & so does the credit card. ;)

rod@plasterbrok

28th July 2006, 01:06 AM

journeyman Mick

28th July 2006, 01:32 AM

Rod,
I wouldn't buy plasterboard online as the freight fees would negate any savings made.

Mick

rod@plasterbrok

28th July 2006, 01:47 AM

All suppliers charge freight.

Most online plasterboard sellers have oulets in the major capital cities that do the deliveries, charging the same amount as if you were in the next street. But I noticed you are from Kuranda that is a bit off the track for any of the online sellers.

To get around the freight for country people check, with local transport companies, often they will back load from the city cheaper than a normal plasterboard delivery. I suggest Tradeconnect.com in Queensland they have outlets up there. You will get a better price online from them than any retailer. (no I don't have shares LOL). Just like to see people get the best deal.

This sort of feed back certainly helps. Thanks Mick.

Cheers

Rod Dyson

BobL

28th July 2006, 02:08 AM

Bobl can I ask you is there a specific reason you wouldn't buy plasterboard online, or is it just that you have no need.

I am genuinly interested in what objections you, (or anyone else for that matter), would have.

Thanks

Rod Dyson

Although I have clad and repaired a few rooms in my time, I'm not a tradey and never organized enough ahead so it's easy enough for me to jump into my van and go and pick up a few sheets of 1200 x 2400.

rod@plasterbrok

28th July 2006, 02:20 AM

Yep I can relate to that.

We used to have a store in Clifton Hill Saturday mornings our counter was 3 deep with guys like you LOL.

They would be back next Saturday for another 5 sheets. Had some very interesting experiences.

Had a guy one day that just didn't want to pay the $30 delivery just up the road. So he loaded up about 20 sheets on his ski bar roof racks and 2 planks. He came back 20 min later on foot!! Begging us to come up with our truck to take the sheets off his flattend roof!

Cheers

Rod

journeyman Mick

28th July 2006, 09:18 AM

Rod,
haven't bought any plasterboard for a few years now, when people ask me if I can do lining I say no I can't ;) . I'll get a M2 price next time I ring my hardware store and see how it compares, but I have my doubts. If they're bringing it up in B-doubles or rail wagons then the freight cost per M2 is likely to work out a lot better than if I'm just getting one house load up. Now if I could find some way of bringing lengths of post form benchtops up cheap I'd be looking at it pretty seriously.;) .

Mick

rod@plasterbrok

28th July 2006, 11:56 PM

Interesting only about 25% of viewers care to click on the poll.

Rod

China

29th July 2006, 12:12 AM

Never, most times you require a credit card, I've never had one and don't want one, not gunner get one

rod@plasterbrok

30th July 2006, 11:17 PM

Direct deposit is the way to go, China.

Gaza

8th August 2006, 06:55 PM

I suggest Trade connect.com

Trade connect cost me a large job, i used there online prices to quote the job, then when time came to order the materials the invoice was about 35% more, when questioned they did not respond. I had to walkaway from the job as the materials was going to lose me to much money, they would not even email me back plus they did not adjust the prices on the website, which are clearly incorrect.

rod@plasterbrok

8th August 2006, 07:32 PM

Interesting you say that, I am definetly not into bagging companies. I will only say this because I have the email sent to them and their reply to back it up.

Trade connect were advertising plasterboard at one price per m2 but sold it as a total of the board eg. $13.50 for a 1200 x 2400mm board, (not the real numbers), when I divided the m2 into the price I saw that the m2 price was way over what they were advertising.

I emailed them and pointed out the discrepency and demanded they fix it up or I would report them. They had it fixed that day!

So I figured this was a mistake and they were happy to rectify it.

I was happy with the way they handled it, they should be held accountable for an advertised price though.

Cheers

Bodgy

8th August 2006, 07:34 PM

Wild Dingo,

I you haven't done so already, get the bank to cancel that credit card and issue you with another one. They do it all the time for lost cards so it is no big deal for them to do that.

regards
Coldamus

Sorry, that doesn't work. I had a direct debit to my credit card in favour of Telstra, for a company that I ran (not owned) covering the comms fees.

I left the company and asked the bank to stop the direct debit. They said they couldn't, so I cancelled card and got another one. Guess what, the direct debit starting appearing on the new card.

It took around 4 months to get sorted out and the bank did fully reverse all transactions. I'm in a fairly strong position regarding my bank, but I had to strenuously jump up and down to get a result. The everyday guy who just has his cards and a small balance would have Buckleys I reckon.

Since then, I have never, nor will ever, authorise any continuing direct debits.

Sorry, this is nothing to do with on-line purchasing, which I do frequently

Sturdee

8th August 2006, 07:56 PM

I left the company and asked the bank to stop the direct debit. They said they couldn't, so I cancelled card and got another one. Guess what, the direct debit starting appearing on the new card.

That is because it is the same credit account.

A new or replacement card doesn't affect the actual credit account as it is only a means of identifying the account.

Peter.

Waldo

10th August 2006, 05:14 PM

G'day,

I've had to buy some comp' programmes online, I've bought Royalty Free Images online, but these two examples are from companies I totally trust and have had dealings with before.

I've tried bidding on a few planes on eBay but with no success as I always get outbid. :( SWMBO has bought a fair bit off stuff from eBay and never had a problem. But if you're bidding on eBay always check the Sellers rep points and feedback if in doubt.

meerkat

10th August 2006, 05:33 PM

i do but I keep the amounts low, go with people (on ebay) with an excellent reputation and deal with known local companies.

I also use a low limit card but normally its direct deposit.

Tooljunkie

20th December 2006, 12:11 PM

I buy presents, tool, machinery, books and everything but cloths. I buy from all over the United States and never had a problem with a vendor. I buy and sell on Ebay and have had some crap sent to me then I have had others send extras and make things right, refund the money and let me keep the item. Ebay has a lot of conns. Vendors want your return business. I buy over ten thousand dollars worth of items every year and have for the past 8 years. I get better prices and pay no US tax and most of the time I get free shipping. I live in southern California. over 20 million people. It is bumper to bumper traffic and an all day trip to got 70 miles one way. I buy on line from Australian web sites and have things sent to my family there. Never had a problem. In the US I only pay for the first 50 dollars worth of fraud. The credit card company pays the rest according to our laws. I have all my bank accounts and books on a seperate computer. I only go on line to do banking with that computer. It is never on line for someone to get information from. I do my business books on it. Never had a problem. I save a lot of money from doing business on line. For me it is the only way to go.
Happy holidays, Merry Christmas to you all.

Tooljunkie

20th December 2006, 12:56 PM

Barry_White

20th December 2006, 09:17 PM

I buy all the time over the net. Usually oz and the states. Use direct deposit, payPal and a $500.00 limit credit card.

Never been ripped off but only deal with reputable people as far as I can determine.

Have bought all sorts of things, books, cd's, tools, computer and electronic components, timber, vitamins, clothes and items on ebay.

I live 55 klms from the nearest main centre and usually the postage costs are cheaper than a trip to town and half the time you can't buy some of the things that I can buy over the net and then the prices are more competative anyway than the local suppliers.

Shedhand

20th December 2006, 09:33 PM

I buy online all the time. Have bought at up to 600 bucks. Never a problem. I have a gmail.com address which I use for registering anything or for comms when buying or selling. All the spam goes to that email address and I never get it on my primary Bigpond address . I use PayPal and direct credit/debit. I never use the Direct/Credit facility on eBay, instead I contact the buyer or seller via email or phone and get their bank details in person. I have 100% positive feedback as I pay the minute I win and I've never been let down yet.

Farm boy

20th December 2006, 10:37 PM

I have bought a few tools on ebay but only deposit in a bank account,like zed no one gets my visa card its hard enough getting from the wife:D

Bino

21st December 2006, 11:40 PM

Never had any trouble buying on line. You can't go wrong with the bigger companys like Timbecon and Carbatec, they have too much to loose if customers started having problems with credit cards.
Like others have said I use a card with a $500 limit.

Bino

workgoose

23rd December 2006, 12:57 PM

I have been buying online for years, Timbecon, Carbatec, Northwood, Rockler,magazine subs, domestic and international airline tickets, plus some ebay, never had the slightest problem. I also do all my banking online, I pay all our bills online, but only through the bank, never by Card. I reckon its great, press a few buttons and its done - more time for cutting kindling:D