laptoprob
back to basics
Escrow services are a - principally - useful service for buying from unknown sellers. The buyer pays to a intermediate, the intermediate tells the seller the money has, been paid. Then the seller sends the goods off, the buyer has a few days to inspect and tells the escrow service to release the money.
Principally.
In reality it is a large majority of fraud business. Just type the name of the third party in google, eventually with the estra words escrow or fraud and there you are.
Tips?
Ask the third party for accreditation, proof of licensing and the names of banks they have dealt with. If they get that information you can and should check.
Usually everithing with safe or secure in the name is dodgy.
I came across a unbelievable deal on a M6TTL with a lens, later two lenses, a photo that was stolen from an ebay auction, a seller who proved to be in UK instead of the Netherlands (as stated in the ad).
He was very reluctant to give me an serial number. Once he did, it proved to be a stolen camera. Reported at Photo.net, not with Leica.
Please beware and be cautious!
Principally.
In reality it is a large majority of fraud business. Just type the name of the third party in google, eventually with the estra words escrow or fraud and there you are.
Tips?
Ask the third party for accreditation, proof of licensing and the names of banks they have dealt with. If they get that information you can and should check.
Usually everithing with safe or secure in the name is dodgy.
I came across a unbelievable deal on a M6TTL with a lens, later two lenses, a photo that was stolen from an ebay auction, a seller who proved to be in UK instead of the Netherlands (as stated in the ad).
He was very reluctant to give me an serial number. Once he did, it proved to be a stolen camera. Reported at Photo.net, not with Leica.
Please beware and be cautious!