Buyer Guide

Please note that these guides do not constitute legal advice and any information provided in the guides should not be construed as legal advice or legal interpretation. We do not accept any liability for any loss caused by your reliance on this guide.

The vast majority of RowingAdverts users are trustworthy and genuine.

Nevertheless, it is very important to have the same common sense and take the same precautions online as you would offline.

The following guidelines will help you stay safe when buying goods through RowingAdverts.

Deal with people locally, who you can meet in person (this simple rule helps you avoid 99% of the safety or security issues people face).

  • Arrange a time and place you feel comfortable with.
  • Meet in a well-lit, busy, public place (covered by CCTV if you want to be extra cautious).
  • Don't meet the buyer alone if you are meeting in a public place.
  • Give somebody else the details of whom you're meeting, and where and when you are meeting them.
  • Keep your mobile phone with you.
  • If you are going to the seller's house, be respectful or their privacy.
  • Beware if the goods are cheaper than normal.
  • Be wary if a seller is putting pressure on you to make a quick decision.
  • Try to get a signed proof of purchase.
  • If the seller has a mobile phone number, also ask for a landline number (e.g. home or workplace phone), so you can make contact if there is a problem with the product.

Seller Guide

Always use common sense when buying or selling. Below are some guidelines that may help when selling goods through classified ads.

  • Arrange a time and place you feel comfortable with
  • Meet in a well-lit, public place (covered by CCTV if you want to be extra cautious).
  • Don't meet the buyer alone if you are not meeting in a public place.
  • Give somebody else the details of whom you're meeting, and where and when you are meeting them.
  • Keep your mobile phone with you.
  • If you live alone, don't let the buyer know- it is none of their business.
  • If the buyer has to come into your house, keep valuable goods out of view.
  • Remember that the buyer may have concerns about meeting a stranger alone, especially if they are bringing cash.
  • Never trust an unknown person who contacts you and claims to put you in touch with interested buyers for an advance fee.

Payment

  • Do not hand over goods until having received full payment.
  • Cash is the easiest payment method, but unsuitable for large amounts.
  • Use a bank draft for large amounts. Always verify the bank draft with the issuing bank before handing over the goods. Either call the bank, or go in to one of their branches.
  • Never accept foreign cheques or bank drafts as payment.
  • If you're receiving a large amount of cash, ask someone you know in retail or hospitality trade to check the notes.

Scams

Scam emails can be highly persuasive and can cause fraud and distress. Scam emails occur when a scammer contacts you via the email or telephone number provided on RowingAdverts and attempts to extract personal information in the form of innocent questions. To avoid being conned or wasting your time, follow some simple rules.

  • Make sure that the seller / buyer has an actual interest in rowing. Ask them some rowing related questions such as: "Do you scull or Sweep?".
  • Enter the seller / buyer email address & name provided into Google. If they are involved in rowing their name may appear in search results for regatta results or club committees.
  • Do not provide any personal information such as bank details over email without making sure the buyer / seller is genuine through questioning.