An ikitesurf classifieds adventure

[Windigo1]

I estimate 50% of the ads there are scams. Usually you can find the exact same pictures on Google in a few minutes from another source. Often there are clues in the picture like the background doesn't match the location european plugs in a picture from the US things like that. I don't buy if the guy doesn't want to chat on the phone if the guy is a real kiter and you ask him technical questions you'll know very quickly.

[rnelias]

I wonder why the for sale section here is not more successful. Maybe @Tobi could be motivated to attach a proper for sale system to the kiteforum.com?

then the scammers will come here

I'm also a part of a country-wide wrist watch forum. They have very strict policies in terms of how long you need to be a member and how many posts you have to make before being able to sell stuff - on top of having an annual seller's fee. This seems to keep scammers out pretty well.

B.t.w. Paypal is a big no-no for personal transactions in the watch world. It might sound safe(er) for the buyer, but it's just as un-safe for the seller.

Long gone are days when I remember receiving 6 used kites before I even had time to send out a draft payment for these...

It's not easy to find an equilibrium of a classified with a good number of ads with several options and a security system to avoid scams. If the forum restricts too much, the number of ads will be minimum and will not attract potential buyers too.

iKitesurf has the issue to attract a bunch of scams, however, it's the place with the best options of kitesurf used products in the same place.

[PullStrings]

Often there are clues in the picture like the background

Saw the same identical kite picture twice on Ikitesurf during a 24 hrs period recently
The background was completely photoshopped on one of them
Both kites had a different year and different price and different seller

[PullStrings]

Found a scam this morning on Ikitesurf classifieds

Two different sizes XR5 kites with "identical background but from different locations".... and different seller....at same ridiculous low price

9 meter 2018/2019 kitesurf kite $400...... Danbury CT USA seller Ava9705
12 meter year 2018 $400 ......Tulsa OK USA seller Noah794

Description is identical for the two kites
Little use. Excellent condition.

[daspi]

I think we don't need to list more scam listing examples. We know they are there. How to avoid falling for them was indeed a good discussion.

I find it just so annoying to screen out all the fake ones. You get your hopes up for the kite you are looking for, with a good price, but darn, another fake. It's just so sad. The pressure needs to be put on iKitesurf. Only if we all complain to them, they might actually do something about it.

[PullStrings]

but I don't think here is the right place to keep listing those scammers.

Ikitesurf should have a service page for that...

[Flyboy]

I have bought quite a few kites on iKitesurf over the years (& sold a few) & never had a problem .... however, in the last couple of years it appear that things have really changed. It's full of bogus ads. At a certain point the whole website becomes unworkable as there are so many scams people start to ignore it as a source for listing or buying equipment.

[supachip1]

well i guess this thread answers the question i came here to ask!

a friend is going to Austin next week and was going see if he could find a decent kit while there, i gave him the ikitesurf link but after having a browse myself i saw a 9m evo and 12m rebel that were exactly the same photos as ad's in the UK., there was also an 18m Dyno a few weeks back... guess i'll tell him to forget that site then!
anyone selling a 12m rebel & 10m evo that accept paypal?

[Toby]

well i guess this thread answers the question i came here to ask!

a friend is going to Austin next week and was going see if he could find a decent kit while there, i gave him the ikitesurf link but after having a browse myself i saw a 9m evo and 12m rebel that but were exactly the same photos as ad's in the UK., there was also an 18m Dyno a few weeks back... guess i'll tell him to forget that site then!
anyone selling a 12m rebel & 10m evo that accept paypal?

Post in the second hand forum and see if someone replies.

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