[Ima_lurker]

I am very curious about people offering to do 'trades' for handbags I have listed. How would you be protected in that situation? And who sends item to who first? I have been tempted, but think it may not be safe. Have any of you done this and how does it work? TIA

[kwongkittiroch]

I would be scared to do this. How do you know what you will get is authentic? Is the buyer also a reputable eBay seller? Would she post an auction on ebay for you so you're protected? Would you she buy the item and then you would have to buy hers?
What a weird request

[handbagcrzy]

I did a part trade part $ before. It was an item I was selling on eBay and someone I knew from another forum who was also a seller had something I wanted so we worked a deal.

I'm not sure I would do this with someone I didn't know. I would be open to it as long as the other person sent the item first and then if all was good I would mail out what I had.

[onegirlcreative]

I have actually done this about 4 years ago and got totally screwed. I hate myself for it and regret every minute of it, but it's a hard lesson learned.

I was selling an authentic Prada messenger bag that I personally purchased from Neiman Marcus, and a seller of another bag offered to do a trade. She contacted me because I think I had placed a bid or won the auction—I don't remember exactly—so when she saw that I was also selling a Prada bag, she offered to do a trade. Well, her pics looked good enough to me—but unfortunately, I was inexperienced and didn't know much about Prada so I accepted her offer.

The bag I received was a horrific knock-off. I couldn't believe how bad it was. I seriously think I could have gotten a better fake in China Town in NYC.

But I never did anything and never turned her in, because I figured I was most likely not covered for something like that. I was screwed!

I would NEVER, ever do that again. Let them pay you, or vice versa and this way if it does turn out to be a counterfeit, you're covered if you pay with PP. JMHO from experience.

All it takes is ONE time getting screwed....

[mmmsc]

I once did a trade with a great tPFer. She has one of the biggest and most unbelievable Balenciaga collections I have ever seen in my life (I think some of you know who I am talking about!) It worked out beautifully. But I would be wary of doing a trade with just anyone. You could get seriously screwed if they were dishonest and/or didn't send the bag, or as posted above, sent you a fake. Maybe safest is to work out a mutual eBay buy it now so you would have protection from ebay/paypal?? It is really kind of dependent upon how well you know the person but always a roll of the dice in my estimation.

[Ima_lurker]

^OneGirl..That's terrible! I'm sorry that happened to you
On that note, I guess I will just avoid such offers.

BTW, is that seller still selling

[elitebag]

It's better find reputable people on forums to trade with. If you attempt trades on eBay there is no verification of payment in case problems arise.

Plus it's against ebays terms of service.

[corrina]

Be careful if you do on eBay. Forums such as this might be a safer option

[ladyisobel]

if i had a bag listed and someone offered to trade i would suggest that they "paid" with the bag, i.e i would have to receive the "payment" before i sent out my bag (as per any normal transaction ) , that way i would be able to confirm authenticity before posting mine to them , i'd still be able to leave feedback and do everything as normal when it came to eBay too .
just how i'd do it anyway !

[kristie]

I traded with an Ebayer but ONLY because she wound up living super close to me and I just met her at a public place. We got to make sure we liked the bags and that they were authentic, etc. It worked out great. I would never trade with someone by mail though unless they paid me for the bag and then once I got their bag in trade, I would refund them the money

[Lovely4]

Only trade, if you buy their item on eBay and vice versa. That way you are both protected.

[onegirlcreative]

Originally Posted by Ima_lurker

^OneGirl..That's terrible! I'm sorry that happened to you
On that note, I guess I will just avoid such offers.

BTW, is that seller still selling

To be honest, since it happened 4+ years ago, I honestly don't remember her selling ID. But I do remember that before I agreed to do this, I checked her feedback and it was impeccable. Otherwise, I wouldn't have agreed to do it.

Imagine my disappointment when I took it out of the box. Ugh!!! I was simply disgusted. But like I said, I learned a valuable lesson. So because of that, unless like someone else said, you know them and KNOW they're trustworthy, I wouldn't risk it. Even if their FB is impeccable. Obviously, that doesn't mean anything on eBay.

[bunnymasseuse]

Maybe trading by sending both bags to a verified 3rd party to authenticate and them being responsible for sending them on to their new homes?

[imonpurseblog]

I would do it on eBay as others have said with 2 buy it nows for the same amount (or whatever differences you determine) and you both buy each others. That way, if something went wrong, you could fall back on your CC.

[Lovely4]

Originally Posted by imonpurseblog

I would do it on eBay as others have said with 2 buy it nows for the same amount (or whatever differences you determine) and you both buy each others. That way, if something went wrong, you could fall back on your CC.

Yes. that's what I meant too.