Our Tips For Safer Buying

1. 1.        Do some research

Check out other items in similar conditions. Is the asking price reasonable?

To make sure you’re happy with what you buy, try to get as much information as possible about the item before you bid or buy.

How can I find out more about what I’m buying?

Be a smart and wise buyer by…

• Looking carefully at the photos
  Can you identify any faults or imperfections? Ask the seller for more photos if you can’t see enough detail.
• Comparing prices
  Compare prices of similar items in similar conditions. Look on Irish Mart®. Research elsewhere such as your local paper and ask friends or family.
• Checking specialist magazines or reviews
  These may be able to give you precise and detailed information on what you’re looking and help you to verify that the item is legitimate.
• Trusting your instinct
  Things that seem too good may be too good to be true. Be wary of ads where the item is under-priced. It may indicate a scam

1. 2.        Find out as much as you can about the item

Read the description carefully and check the photos closely. If you’re unclear about any details, ask the seller for a bit more info.

Asking questions

You’ve found an item you’re interested in and you want to confirm that it’s exactly what you’re looking for. Try to get as much information as possible about the item by asking the seller questions.
For items listed via:

• A Classified ad
  Communicate with the seller directly by phone.

Purchasing items outside Irish Mart® may be unsafe. If you are contacted to transact outside Irish Mart®, please report the member to our Online Irish Mart team.

Some tips

• Be as clear and concise as possible
  This will help the seller understand exactly what you’re asking and to respond quickly and appropriately.
• Ask all your questions in one hit
  This can reduce the time it takes for you get all the information you need to make an informed decision, thereby helping to reduce the risk of another buyer getting in first.
• Shop safely by asking questions
  • that help to confirm the seller is genuine by asking specific questions related to the item
  • to request proof of authenticity, purchase or ownership
  • about the seller’s refund or return policy in the event the item is not legitimate or what you expected.
  • Don’t assume details about the item
    If you’re not sure about any details, or the buyer refuses to answer and the item sounds too good to be true, perhaps you may reconsider whether to purchase the item.

Common questions

• Will everyone be able to read my question?
  Your question and the seller’s response remain private between you and the seller unless the seller agrees to publish them for the benefit of other potential buyers.
• Will the seller know who I am?
  Your Irish Mart® username is the only identifier sent to the seller. They do not receive your contact details or your name (unless you have used your personal name as your Trading Post username).

How do I view the seller’s response?

When the seller sends a response, you will receive an email notification that they have replied.
3.        Ensure your contact details are up to date

When you buy, your contact details and the seller’s are exchanged via email. Incorrect contact details may mean that you can’t complete the transaction.

1. 4.        Contact the seller before you pay.

Send just a short email to let them know how and when you will pay, and to check that you have their correct contact details.

1. 5.        Choose a payment method you feel comfortable using

Hopefully you checked these before you bought. Safer payment methods provide you with proof of payment. Never send cash in the mail or use money transfer services (e.g. Western Union or Money Gram) to send payments to people you don’t know.

By the way, money transfer services are banned on IrishMart.ie, as they’re often associated with scams and dodgy sellers. If you come across a seller requesting payment through a money transfer service, don’t buy from them.

1. 6.        Identifying Scams

Arm yourself with knowledge! Avoid becoming a victim of a scam by knowing what to look out for.

Recognizing a scam

Be wary of buyers or sellers who:

• are offering items at prices much lower than market value
• ask you to send funds or items overseas
• will not provide contact details to you after you agree to transact with them
• ask you to pay via a money transfer service (e.g. Western Union or Money Gram).

Be wary of emails or phone calls:

• where you are asked you to update, validate or confirm your account details, password or personal information by replying to the email or visiting a website
• from a person or sender you do not know
• that are not specifically addressed to you
• that promise you some sort of benefit.

Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. They often are!

If you suspect a scam:

• make no further contact with the seller
• do not respond with your personal or financial information
• please report it. Email us and we will check up on the seller and the ad, and let you know. Include copies of emails and other relevant information if possible.

If you suspect a phishing email (one that claims to be from a legitimate organization but isn’t):

• delete it without replying or clicking on any links (even the ones that say ‘unsubscribe’)
• give the organization a call yourself to check if you’re not sure

1. 7.        Trust your instinct.

Things that seem too good to be true often are!

Report fraud!

We don’t want dodgy traders on our site and are very serious when it comes to the security of our members. Help us protect you and other members by reporting fraudulent, illegal or suspicious behavior.

All ads on irishmart.ie have a contact us link at the bottom. Please use it to report inappropriate or suspicious ads or behavior to our Trust & Safety team.

Telling our Trust & Safety team about questionable ads or activity you’ve come across helps us identify possible illegal and fraudulent activities on our site as quickly as possible.

Irish Mart® actively works with law enforcement and government agencies to identify fraudulent activities and prevent illegal activities. With your help we aim to prevent our users from becoming the victims of fraud or scams and provide you with the safest environment possible in which to buy and sell online.

What to report

i. Suspicious ads

• Ads that you suspect are scams or fraudulent, particularly if a seller will not provide contact details or asks for payment to be sent overseas.
• Ads that you believe are advertising a fake or counterfeit item.
• Ads that seem a bit odd or resemble scams

ii. Inappropriate behavior

• Activities that are dishonest, misleading, unauthorized or illegal.
• Behavior or language that is personally abusive, damaging or offensive toward another member.
  • Comments that are profane, vulgar, obscene or racist.