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Just though it might be worthwhile posting this for new buyers and sellers. Perhaps the experienced Voguettes can add to this thread with your own tips too?
A genuine trading partner will be in touch with you regularly, barring act of God. This means replying to your PM's or emails within about 48 hours. We all have "those days", but prompt, friendly and polite communication is valued by a genuine trader. This means prompt acknowledgement of your payment, and maintenance of communication after they have received payment to confirm address, advise of postage, and otherwise keep you updated. A genuine trader does not just disappear once you advise of payment.
If you haven't heard from your trading partner or received your item within a week, then it's time to take some form of action (via email or the Forum). Sure, the post is slow sometimes, but generally things take a maximum of 7 working days within Australia. Don't leave things for a month before you do anything, though. Genuine traders (again, barring act of God) will endeavour to get things to you quickly.
Items seem to get "lost in the post" much more regularly on Vogue than any other place on earth. There must be a wormhole somewhere. DO NOT accept this as an explanation from your seller/swappee - ask them to do the legwork of chasing it up with AP. It's amazing how many parcels miraculously turn up when someone puts the heat on.
As a seller, buyer or swapper, it pays to INSIST on either Express or Registered Post. For a couple of dollars extra, you get more peace of mind, plus extra insurance through AP in the unlikely event that the parcel does go missing. Experienced Voguettes also recommend that sellers and swappers keep copies of receipts and tracking numbers for Express and Registered satchels. These can be scanned and emailed to the other party on request if necessary. A genuine trader won't mind doing this. Thanks Silver Rain, Coconut Tiger, Sasslover & the realeskimo!
Once a seller starts giving you multiple stories/explanations/excuses i.e. "oh it was returned, I'll have to resend it, oops I sent it regular rather than Express etc etc etc" be suspicious. It's Australia Post, not rocket science. If someone can switch on a computer, find Vogue and register as a forum member, they can work out the postal system. Similarly, if a trader says they "forgot" to send it registered when you have requested and paid for the extra service, and it goes missing - it is their mistake and in all fairness you are entitled to a full refund, and you should ask for it
Be wary of designer bags sold on the Forum - ask the seller lots and lots of questions before you buy or swap. A genuine trader won't mind answering and won't be impatient about it. There have been more war stories about fake bags than anything else.
Do consider carefully purchases or swaps with members who have a very low post count. While many Voguettes have had wonderful transactions with low post count members, it may pay you to do a bit of extra investigation before dealing with them. Ask them, for example, whether they have had a transaction with any other Voguettes who you could contact for a reference. Check their feedback in the feedback threads. In fact, ask whatever questions YOU need to ask before you go ahead and hand over your hard earned cash or precious items. It's not rude or invasive, it's just protecting yourself. If your instincts start to ring alarm bells, then don't proceed. Thanks to thrift City
We can't say it enough - but check the feedback threads. They are located here:
http://www.vogue.com.au/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=45
and here:
http://voguefeedback.proboards34.com/index.cgi
These are a resource to help you - please make use of them!
Thanks to skemz1
Although there are sometimes problems on the Forum with buying, selling and swapping, not everyone is out to rip people off. Genuine mistakes sometimes do occur. If you receive an item that is significantly not as described, make prompt contact with the other party but keep your initial PM/email polite and not abusive. You will get the tenor of where things are going by their response. Most people are more than reasonable if things are a genuine mistake or if they are met half-way.
Be very wary of trading with members who have had multiple userIDs banned or struck off here or on Ebay. Sure, some people may have had to create one new ID for technical/computer reasons or whatever, but generally the only reason why someone would need another ID is that they are somehow trying to "reinvent" themselves or pass themselves off as somebody else. It pays to do your research, read up on the threads here and on the For Sale forums and generally lurk a bit to find out who the trustworthy Voguettes are - remember, it's your money and it's no bargain if you pay and get nothing.
For discussion and please add...
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thanks lady*of*thelake!
Also another thing if you're buying a designer bag, from here or ebay, is to ask for extra photos than the ones already provided because they may be stolen photos.
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Thanks LOTL
I don't have anything to add
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Thanks lady*of*thelake! I appreciate you giving us some guidelines to follow
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this should be a sticky
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Thanx heaps! This makes me feel a lot better about purchasing from the forum! Have purchased jeans from eBay and got a refund due to misleading listings. (eg. True Religion jeans listed as same jeans sold for over $300 @ DJ's, but when jeans received jeans were made in hong kong!!!) disgraceful!!!
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They are fantastic, LOTL! These are great guidelines to follow.
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Originally Posted by Catgut
this should be a sticky
agreed!!
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Really good post lady*of*the*lake, in light of what has been happening. I tend to ask a lot of questions too (I admit, I'm annoying if a buyer/seller hasn't contacted me 2 days after I've pm'd them but I think it's important that you communicate well). I had someone get upset with me once though, when I enquired about their designer bag the negative response turned me off and I decided not to buy it.
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i'm also very wary of buying anything from a member who's only posted a few times.