AW Daily - Tips & Tactics - After the Auction: Avoiding the Buy and Switch

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by Nancy L. Hix

Your auction for a Steuben vase took hours to research and format and finally your efforts paid off with a high winning bid. Armed with a sturdy carton, packing tape, and a supply of foam puffies, you're ready to send the vase on a safe journey to its new home. However, in addition to carefully packing the item to prevent breakage, you may want to add another step to the packing process. Before that priceless jetsam wears its first cloak of bubble wrap, there's another bit of advice to consider, especially if the item isn't one of a kind. Safeguard yourself against the latest type of online auction fraud.

A buyer might choose to exercise your return policy and the item to which you bid farewell might end up right back on your doorstep. However, in the case of a dishonest buyer, the piece you receive might not be the same one you sent. To avoid becoming a venue for a deceitful person's desire to turn their slightly damaged item into a brand-new one, be mindful of the dreaded "buy and switch" routine. You can take some steps to lessen the chances of being a victim of this type of fraud. To safeguard your merchandise, mark the item in an inconspicuous way or include a "void if seal is broken" mechanism.

Setting the Seal
I'm not advising you to scribble your name on a book's title page, or slather your initials in permanent marker on an antique mirror, or deface a crystal decanter by etching your brand into it. You can, however, mark your item in several ways that won't void the condition you guaranteed in your auction description. Here are a few methods used by the seasoned sellers at the Online Trader's Web Alliance:

With plush toys, sew in a thin, colored thread that you can see only if you part a seam.

Affix your own personal swing tag. (A swing tag is a personalized tab of heavy paper stock with a small hole, through which you attach a double-ended plastic fastener with a special tool. The other end attaches to fabric, much like garment price tags.) Tell the buyer that you will accept returns only if the swing tag is in place. Be sure that affixing the tag does not tear or damage the fabric.

On high-end (nonporous) items such as earthenware, glass, or figurines, make a small dot in an inconspicuous place with ink that you can detect only under a black light. Pens with this type of ink also work on record labels, books, or sports cards, and will not damage the item. For sports cards, make the mark on the edge and not the face of the card. A tiny dab will do--don't whitewash it!

For nonporous items, affix a "void sticker" with your name or logo. Make sure it won't come off in one piece, and only use stickers with adhesive that won't damage the item. Tell the buyer that all returns must have the sticker in place and intact.

If you're selling a book, pick one page and color in the letter "o" lightly with a pencil.

Also for books, there's the old-fashioned sealing wax method. Loop thin string or thread between two pages and around the spine, then drip some wax on the thread ends (not the book) and seal it with your thumbprint. Explain before the buyer receives the item that you accept returns only with the wax seal intact.

Proceed With Caution
Remember that no matter the method used, you must not damage the item and must not void the condition you specified in your auction description. If this happens, the buyer may rightfully return the item. Be careful that the method you use is appropriate for the item. Over time, and as you sell more and more, you'll probably devise a few foolproof marking methods of your own.

You also may want to keep detailed photographs of the items you sell. If you have a scanner, scan the front and back of sports cards or other flat items; otherwise, photograph your merchandise. Hang on to your auction photos until the transaction is complete. This serves as documentation of what you sent to your buyers.

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