# How to tell if an online seller is legit **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 27, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611 "2026-08-27T22:20:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/1 "2026-08-27T22:20:33Z")
I belong to a car forum. Periodically new people will join to sell something. Either they were a long time owner looking to sell their car &/or extra parts/original marketing material, or someone handling an estate & therefore don’t even know much about what they are selling because it wasn’t theirs, it was their parents, or siblings or \_\_\_. Then there are a good chunk of the new members that are outright scams, attempting to sell something they only have a picture of. We’ve even had a few long-time members be able to catch them because of something like, “Hey, that was my old car, I recognize my house in the background & I posted that photo three years ago when I sold it.” There is a new member, just joined selling something I need, for a significant discount from one of the few places that has it retail but still not inexpensive. In the old days, I could have said take a picture of today’s newspaper in front of/behind the part but who gets newspapers anymore; further, I wouldn’t trust it not to be AI image anymore. How do I determine if this is a real seller or a scammer? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/2 "2026-08-28T03:50:36Z")
Take a picture in front of today’s Yahoo or CNN home page. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/3 "2026-08-28T03:59:10Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > There is a new member, just joined selling something I need, **for a significant discount from one of the few places** that has it retail but still not inexpensive. - I’d say that alone is a reason for caution if not look elsewhere. It might be stolen. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/4 "2026-08-28T04:13:36Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Take a picture in front of today’s Yahoo or CNN home page. couldn’t that be easily photoshopped in? > [@running\_coach](#): > > It might be stolen. Then the _really_ waited until the heat was off. It’s a part that hasn’t been made in 17 years. No, it’s definitely either NOS (New, Old Stock; they do legitimately come up from time to time - people either moving / downsizing or their car was in an accident {sadly, it doesn’t take much to total 'em} & selling off the extras they had) or a scammer. Oh, BTW, I don’t know exactly where they are but I’m guessing it’s going to be shipped. If he was local it would be a non-issue as I could eyeball it before handing over cash. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/5 "2026-08-28T04:44:57Z")
On the face of it, it definitely sounds like a scam. I have no idea how ensure a safe transaction, but if you want to engage to see if it’s a scam… Do a live vid chat over zoom (make sure you initiate the call) where they show you the item. Ask them to show you multiple angles. Look for anything out of the ordinary. Ask to see their face and tell them you are going to take a screenshot. Ask them to show you their location. Ask their name and then Google them. Ask how they arrived at the selling price (since it’s such a significant discount). Ask them why they didn’t put it on Craigslist or whatever where they could sell it to someone local which would be safer/easier for them. If they refuse any of your asks, say “Bye, Felicia.” Then post in their thread exactly what happened and that they refused and what excuse they gave. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/6 "2026-08-28T08:14:47Z")
Ain’t it a brave new world? I smell something bad. This person could’ve stolen it from a legit collector or broke in someone’s garage/storage. I’d keep looking. (I do like the idea busting them out online, tho’) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/7 "2026-08-28T14:50:01Z")
Tell the seller you know another club member nearby and will ask them to (edit: visit the seller to) check out the part. The seller’s reaction will probably say a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/8 "2026-08-28T19:15:28Z")
> [@zbuzz](#): > > Do a live vid chat over zoom (make sure you initiate the call) where they show you the item I like this idea as I’d be able to see it all around, which would be hard to fake; especially on the spot if I say show me the top, then bottom, then back, etc. Why do I need to initiate vs them initiating? > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > This person could’ve stolen it from a legit collector or broke in someone’s garage/storage. Again, I’m not worried about it being stolen. It’s too old & low production volume for someone to randomly steal one & then post it for sale in the community that might know about the sale. ---
**Author:** ![colinfred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colinfred/32/21338_2.png) [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/9 "2026-08-28T19:25:34Z")
Take a video holding the item reading out today’s sports results? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/10 "2026-08-28T19:46:11Z")
Never underestimate a thief with a curious mind. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/11 "2026-08-28T19:59:57Z")
> **[How Trustap works for marketplaces and peer-to-peer transactions](https://trustap.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/26664599367953-How-Trustap-works-for-marketplaces-and-peer-to-peer-transactions)** > > Trustap is a secure online payment platform that protects both buyers and sellers of digital goods, physical items or services. > For marketplaces, as well as its own native peer-to-peer transactions... Use an escrow service. If they’re honest, they’ll send the part. If they’re dishonest, they’ll poof as soon as the word “escrow” enters the chat. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/12 "2026-08-28T22:43:24Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@Spiderman](#): > > > > There is a new member, just joined selling something I need, **for a significant discount from one of the few places** that has it retail but still not inexpensive. - > > I’d say that alone is a reason for caution if not look elsewhere. > It might be stolen. Huh? The vast majority of buyers demand a significant discount to buy something from a private seller instead of established retailer. You buy something new from the established retailer you get a warranty, fraud protection, easy to return if not satisfied, etc. How did you plan to pay for it? The standard method is Paypal which has some buyer protection–and you pay Paypal with a credit card, not bank account. I am inclined to think the transaction is trustworthy–although there might be a problem from the item sitting in a garage for several years, etc. The point is that scammers tend to offer expensive high demand goods–like Ipads or luxury fashion purses or a Rolex–not obscure slow moving car parts. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/13 "2026-08-28T22:52:37Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Huh? The vast majority of buyers demand a significant discount to buy something from a private seller instead of established retailer. You buy something new from the established retailer you get a warranty, fraud protection, easy to return if not satisfied, etc. @Spiderman said the other sellers are retail, the new guy is selling for significantly less. He could have acquired the object through inheritance or a clueless seller but a big cut in price warrants caution. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-if-an-online-seller-is-legit/1032611/14 "2026-08-29T02:41:00Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > Why do I need to initiate vs them initiating? Because I wouldn’t go clicking on any links sent from a rando on a message forum, even if I am interested in buying what he’s selling. It’s just one more, very simple, layer of precaution.