checking out sellers

Is there a reasonable way to check out sellers of parts before sending hundreds of $$ in the mail? Secondly, isn't stealing $200+ a felony? Plus, isn't using the post office to receive people's money and not posting parts they have ordered mail fraud? Surely there is fraud related to internet sales.

Certainly someone can verify the ID of said Mr. Rudd, along with his promised articles posted on this site, along with emails sent to various people, and take appropriate legal action... No? The total number of people and $$ seems rather significant.

Not to blame anyone, but if there is no way to reasonably ensure legitimacy of parts/cars sold on this site, or to prosecute offenders, the site should not allow parts/cars to be advertised. Otherwise SVX.net becomes an accomplice of sorts enabling members acting in good faith to get bilked. I'm sure most people are honest, but thieves should not be so easily able to use this site to steal hundreds, if not thousands of dollars worth of people's hard earned money. Just one opinion...

I would also add that getting one satisfied customer to give a reference would be a terrific way to steal a bundle from others.

[ensteele]

I don't know how someone could be checked out ahead of time to know if they are a good or bad vender, or even what kind of customer they are. Even Mr. Rudd had mixed reviews. Some had good luck with him, and others got parts that were garbage, and I got nothing. I don't blame the forum, but blame the person of course, and I guess that I have to just write it off to experience. I have purchased many things, and have spent many $$$ and had extremely good luck. It is too bad that a bad one takes advantage of a situation like this. It might be interesting to find out the grand total that Doug Rudd got us for. The service of this forum for parts has been one of the biggest advantages of belonging. To eliminate the parts listings would be more of a negative than what one person has done here. We just need to be a little more cautious to newer members who all of a sudden show up with a car that they are parting out. That might be a little unfair as well. I will get over it, but I am very dissapointed that someone would use this great place to scam members.

[huck369]

If you pay with a "Postal Money Order" and them don't get your parts, it is mail fraud.
If this happens the United States Post Office will take them to court to work it out.
Something to think about

What a great idea! I'd have just used a personal check... So at least with a Postal Money Order you have some recourse AND someone working for you.

[nubs]

Originally posted by ensteele93
We just need to be a little more cautious to newer members who all of a sudden show up with a car that they are parting out. That might be a little unfair as well.

This is something I think about before I would buy from anyone.I was looking for a cd player at the time Mr.Rudd appeared. He actually sent me an E-mail telling me that he had one available,but because he just popped up here I stayed away.
After seeing all of the problems everone else has had I am glad I did. I can say I have purchased numerous items from members here and have had no problems with any of them.
It is terrible that this has happened but I don't think that this one bad experience should stop us from helping each other.
You just have to be a little careful I guess.

[1994SubaruSVX]

we just have to choose who we trust. i like being able to find parts through the website. i bought my koni struts from a guy in CA and everything went smoothly. he sent the parts and i sent the money and nothing went wrong. that was $550.

[mohrds]

I have also bought thousands of dollars in parts on this forum and the old Yahoo board. I've only had good expeiences. Doug Rudd even sent me my items and all were in good shape for being 10 years old.

I guess i'm just lucky...

keeping fingers crossed

Doug