GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Yard sale signs are popping up throughout Wisconsin and there are deals to be had for the bargain-inclined.
Whether your chosen “storefront” is in a driveway or in an online classified ad, there are risks to consider for both buyers and sellers in the resale marketplace.
Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau says one of those risks is recalled items being sold, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission has an app to check on that.
The CPSC recently launched a mobile app that shoppers can use to search for product recalls (the app must be downloaded from the CPSC website: https://www.cpsc.gov/data). Having this app or the CPSC website open on your smartphone while you shop is a good practice.
“The good news is that it can be done so discreetly that the seller won’t even know that you are checking first,” Bach said.
For buyers and sellers that prefer to use online classified ad sites or apps (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Letgo, etc.) for their transactions, scams are a significant risk. The first step to ensuring a safe transaction is to deal locally and meet the other party face-to-face in a public location.
“Always meet in a public place and if there is a police station available or a designated safe zone, use that.”
She says taking a good look at the items before buying is also important.
Checking the battery compartment for signs of corrosion and keeping an eye out for frayed wires or questionable repair jobs on cords could save you money.
“You are just going to want to test them to make sure that they work before you pay for them and walk away.”
Sellers can also be scammed. If a buyer offers to pay you extra for an item and asks that you return the difference, you are likely facing a check scam.
“They ask you to deposit their check and then wire or send them the difference.”
She says the check will likely bounce, leaving you on the hook for the bounced check and the money you send to them would also be gone.
Additional scam red flags to watch for when using an online classified ad service include:
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(For sellers) Vague initial inquiries, e.g. asking about “the item.”
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(For buyers) Significant discounts on high-ticket items (vehicles, etc.) with a story about the owner being overseas, in the military, or involved in an accident.
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Emails or texts from someone who is not local to your area (especially if they claim to be overseas).
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Poor grammar/spelling.
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Requests for payment by wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, or prepaid debit or gift cards.
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Beware of offers that involve shipping.
