10 Ways to Avoid Getting Scammed when Buying Models Online

[@jacksonphreak]

Wicor Models are my local model shop and I can't speak more highly of them. Great to see them mentioned on your channel. 🙂

[@paulcherrytrains3339]

No PayPal no deal. I never pay any other way. Regards Paul.

[@melkitson]

Nice clear presentation which makes perfect sense. Thank you for the time and research that you put into this. Living in Portugal there are virtually no decent model shops so online shopping is crucial. I really appreciate your guidance. 🇧🇫

[@KN-yc8wu]

Rob, Very good video with plenty of sensible advice. I got caught on a purchase (not railway related) a while back, but had used PayPal to pay. I contacted PP and they were brilliant, after all the required waiting periods for the supplier to respond, PP refunded me in full. Don't know what happened to the supplier, but this shows using PP is worthwhile. BTW I also had a problem with a eBay supplier, and eBay were also very efficient at getting me a full refund. hope you get your money back soon.

[@tomasrogers2176]

Dont take recommendations of Rob 😉....... Good to see your well again. I have bought lots off model shops over the years plus off forums, facebook etc and thankfully ive had mostly positive experiences. As i buy from overseas i have to be even more cautious, look out for generic photos ie photos taken from other sites etc as this for me is a major red flag.

[@Andrea.583]

Useful video, much of which can be applied to online shopping in general, thanks.

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Thanks 👍

[@attercliffecentral3802]

You could still do all your tips and still get conned. The best thing to do is go to shops or fairs my tips are take a battery if your buying from a market stall to see if the model works check it before parting with any cash even barter to get a better price especially if you are buying more than one item you can not do this online. Yes I understand not everyone has a model shop but we have fairs it's better to pay bus or train fare than lose your money online not everyone can or have a credit card plus it gets you out .

[@tedmogsm7037]

hi Rob, good to see you,re feeling better too, thanks for your very informative video too

[@TATICMOOR]

Good ten tip video for not getting scammed. I few of these I didn't know about, so it has been a useful public announcement, Rob. Thanks for keeping us on the straight and narrow (gauge, LOL) about on-line ordering and not to fall fowl into the (ash) pit of a con artist.

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Appreciating the puns John 👏🤣

[@TATICMOOR]

@@LittleWicketRailway Oh Railly, LOL, there will be plenty more to come.

[@skel3110]

Great advice Rob, thanks! Cheers Steve

[@petermarles7050]

Hi Rob, Have you traced the scammer and is anything being done to bring him to justice? All good wishes, Peter.

[@lauriepocock3066]

I think I have been scammed. I brought a train set through facebook Marketplace. The seller asked politely if I would pay through PayPal friends and family cos it avoided paying surcharge but since paying he has gone very quite. PayPal can’t help because they don’t have a resolution procedure for friends and family. If using Marketplace beware if asked to use PayPal friends and family unless you are sure it’s safe.

[@LittleWicketRailway]

Sorry to hear that Laurie. Jason from Rocket Railways was saying that this type of scam was becoming more common especially during lockdown. Thanks for sharing and for the advice when using PayPal friends and family. There are some horrible people out there.

[@1stArizonaSub]

11. Check with the NMRA & MRH magazine.

[@ianjames1352]

Thanks for sharing

[@peterjames6607]

The canns website looks very professional but lacks any contact details whats so ever! And thus fails your first test........

[@LittleWicketRailway]

It did have email and phone, I think they've been removed. Address is on their companies house documents, but looks like either a residential address or an address purely for correspondence.

[@peterjames6607]

@@LittleWicketRailway Sorry, I should have mentioned that in its current iteration it has no contact details. Still looks like a very nice site, just goes to show!

[@Oorail]

You forgot the most important bit of advice, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably isn't. This is what got you into trouble in the first place, you saw the Mk2 coach deals on Hattons which were at a realistically low price and got baited by someone offering it even lower than that. So in trying to shave another few quid off a good deal, you missed out and caused other folks to be scammed as well. Think there is a lesson in there somewhere about being a responsible KZbinr. Always vet something properly before distributing it to the public. Hope you were able to get all your money back!

[@winterknight7554]

Not really defending but I also made a purchase from canns and got what I ordered quickly, well packed and it even came with a thankyou buisness card. Not exactly sured what happened to the company but I guess I was lucky.

[@Oorail]

@@winterknight7554 Sounds like you got lucky. I'm curious, what did you purchase and how long ago did you order?

[@winterknight7554]

I ordered an oxford gladiator railgun late January. I had previouly ordered one just after xmas from another modelshop and it was very clear it had been used/secondhand. There was bits missing/broken. I got my money back thankfully, then shortly after I came across one on the canns website £10 cheaper. Bargain I thought. Like I said I had no issues. In hindsight I guess I was lucky I didnt order anything else from them or I might not have been so lucky.