Urban Art Association

Ask them their full Name and Address, phone number, Facebook page, and maybe even photos of some form of government ID.
Don’t be shy to ask for extra photos of the item from every angle and different lighting conditions.

You are not protected, and when you got a problem and you ask the admin for help you don’t get nothing more than go to the police...

Forget about the member with lots of star, some of those are the
Worse.....
Pay only bank transfer on pick up or delivery, with ID in hands or PayPal

Thanks for all the replies. The tip about ID makes good sense to me and I wouldn’t have thought about that.

I don’t understand the phrase “Buy the seller...”

I presume it’s a typo? I’m curious what you meant by that?

I have bought a bunch of art on here. For more major purchases I have always asked for who they purchased from and tried to trace as far back to the original sale as possible. When POW was open Dora was a big help in confirming original purchasers.
Ask as many questions as you want, and get as much documentation as humanly possible and never feel pressured or rushed. If someone is using another buyer as leverage let them have it, if there is an agreement and the seller wants to sell to someone else, they aren't someone you should be buying from anyway.
For Banksy's PC used to confirm ownership prior to purchase, not sure if they do anymore. If not, ask for an image of the COA together with an image of the print and confirm editions numbers.they don't I would not be comfortable buying a banksy unless it is one of the older users whom I know and trust.

PayPal has worked well for me. If you use it, never... pay using "Friends and Family". Always... request an invoice. And do the transaction as Goods / Services. Otherwise you will have little or no protection. But the PayPal protection is IMO invaluable. If the sale falls through, PP will reimburse you and take up the issue with the seller. I could not imagine sending any (especially a substantial) amount, with no guarantee at all concerning whether the item will be delivered or in what condition.

If paying by Invoice I just charge the buyer the extra percent so everyone is happy. I believe they just changed there policy however that in the event of a refund they keep that 4% or whatever they charge for the protection now. 

Touch wood I have never had a bad transaction on here. You can generally get a feel for the person you're, dealing with. If you're buying something expensive then you should meet the person (no carparks or alleys) may be someone's work or home address. Bank transfer or PayPal

If abroad be extra careful and do some homework on gallery and members. Check the good dealings with thread as well. Some art doesn't come with Coa or provenance (art boot stuff) as it may have been paid for by cash. Hopefully it will have some form of stamp on it or at least some Internet trace on photos.

Common sense must prevail. I disagree about (lots of) star members being untrustworthy(8n most cases) . The more stars generally means they have spent some years on here contributing (in most cases or hammered threads with nonsense) and someone would have some knowledge of those people (moderators). Or they have got to know lots of people. I've made a lot friends on here and someone will always know someone.

If it seems wrong then it generally is. Trust your instincts

Echo what some have said here already. Brought a couple of pieces from here and has always gone really smoothly. Got a feel for most and hooked them up on Instagram etc so you get a feel for them as people. Even did a deal for a print I never received as the chaps other half had thrown it away thinking it was empty tubes! He refunded the cash in full quickly with an apology.

Agree with ‘buy the seller’ and check references.
Decent photo’s and ID will help verify a seller.

My worst experience was not on here but with Paddle8 who never paid me.

Hi,
I will buy an expensive print with a face to face transaction soon, and i wonder why people on this forum said that a paypal transfert with « friends and family » option is not a good idea for an instant transfert?
Thank in advance

... but if are doing a face to face, then you can inspect the piece - pay cash or do an instant transfer on your mobile ...

I recently bought a print from someone and paid as gift. About 20-30 min after I’d already left with the goods and said goodbye, I received a text message from paypal warning that there had been a suspicious transaction and asking for my approval. I’m not sure to what extent I could have intervened on the transaction, but In the future I will certainly want to have confirmation that the transaction is indeed fully approved!

I meant protection for buyer if paid through a regular paypal transaction (non f&f). Cash, F&F, and bank transfer benefit seller and buyer has no recourse. 

I purchased an item through using this forum and it turned out being fake. Luckily the seller rectified the situation but I did have the paypal option as recourse. If it's bank wire/cash forget about it...only public shaming is available and good luck ever getting your money back even if reported to the proper authorities. 

I’ve completed loads of transactions on here, and all have been good.

If something appears too good to be true it is, is the mantra that I follow.

All high value purchases I have gone to the persons house or work.

The large majority of those I have met have been great people to meet who just share a passion.