How do YOU vet vendors before a purchase?

Obviously there are many signs that a vendor might be a scammer: little feedback, questionable feedback, few reviews from reliable sources, etc. But my question is more about what process you personally use to examine a new vendor. Are there any markers that definitively assure you of their legitimacy? Immediate warning signs?

I usually look at the market feedback first since it's most convenient. I actually tend to favor vendors that have some (but not much) negative or non-five-star feedback. With some vendors, I notice a lot of the feedback is submitted around the same time, often with very similar comments and ratings, suggesting shilling. After the market, I'll turn to grams and do a PGP search. I like to see results from old markets (Evo, Abraxas), showing the vendor has been around. Finally I'll search on Reddit. If I can't find any relatively recent and credible Reddit review, I usually won't go ahead with the purchase. I have yet to be scammed, but I also often have trouble finding vendors that meet my standards. I feel like maybe I should be a little more lenient, but then again I don't want to lose money when I don't have to.


Comments


[14 Points] None:

r-e-search


[6 Points] None:

Goes like this:

FE or escrow doesn't bother me as long as the reputation is right.


[3 Points] ProveNW:

I just go for the cheapest domestic with more than 50 reviews. Often FE and just wait. Got some DMT that I FEd for, never landed. Told dude, said I was a vendor and had no desire for a dispute and asked for tracking. He told me no prob, said he'd send it with an extra G, and walaa!


[2 Points] None:

If the market has a form I search there as well :-)


[2 Points] LCExotic:

Vendor rep. If they're a good vendor, they usually are talked about elsewhere for being so.


[2 Points] DMVbandz:

I troll the Reddit vendor review for a few hours and looks at the vendors comments. Honestly the reviews on Reddit have more influence on my choices than anything else. The reviews on markets or personal onions seem more likely to be shill than things here


[2 Points] None:

[deleted]


[1 Points] None:

I do all that, and I look at the dates for the listing and the amount of purchases and look to see if it matches well with the feedback


[1 Points] eyelurck:

Anything less than 5/5 in 50 orders or less, is usually a no-no. Unless it's cause of one guy bitchin' about how it took 5 days instead of 4 or how it's "not super dank" for 7$/g.

Any vendor who is on just one market is usually a no-no, regardless of feedback.

Any vendor with a lot of sales and good ratio but with occasional bashings or anything that might suggest a selective scammer is a no-no.

Any vendor selling more than two products at once is usually a no-no. Some exceptions apply for NL based operations, cause, well, NL.

Any vendor who sells both retail and bulk and demands FE for both, is a no-no. Only one exception there and that's because I personally know the guy.


[1 Points] sullyrb:

any negative feedback, but all you can really do is make a small purchase to find out


[1 Points] CynicalElephant:

Reddit reviews.


[1 Points] iLoveThickBitches:

On top of what all the other posters have mentioned, I also try to spark up casual, non-order related conversation with the vendor. If they're friendly and don't mind having a conversation, I take that as a good sign. But if they're rude and keep trying to direct the conversation towards you placing an order, I assume it's somebody I'd be better off not doing business with; look at TGUK for example. I imagine it'd be less likely for a vendor to selectively scam customers who took the time to try and build a friendly relationship with them. They'd be more likely to target buyers who pester them and don't know standard protocol for ordering. This is not to say that just because a vendor is friendly with you means you're immune from being scammed. There are people out there who wouldn't bat an eye at robbing handicapped orphans, but most sellers would probably feel more remorse scamming the friendly buyer over the pest.


[1 Points] None:

If it's a small order <$100, I'm usually fine with taking the risk ordering from vendors with very few, but positive reviews. Sometimes they are just getting started, so I feel it's okay to give the smaller guys a chance.


[1 Points] budsmokersonly710:

never FE with a new vendor, just do your research

ive only been burned one time on the DNMS over the span of about four years. I got lazy and tried to save myself a couple hundred bucks from a "new vendor" and sure enough, I got FE scammed. we ended up doxxing the vendor on evo though, my loss was minor compared to some other guys' - it was a good learning experience though. sometimes "brand names" on DNMs may cost more, but you get what you pay for.


[1 Points] BakedPastaParty:

Fe or escrow COULD be a deal breaker, if like others have said, fake market feedback is apparent, or several cheap purchase all with "KICK ASS GEAR BROOOO" is a giant red flag. I dont purchase often, but if I do I stick with well received and reputable vendors. Ill give new vendors a shot here and there (new to vending I mean) but that all depends on nuanced factors. I gotta just like the cut of their jib. But typically, you do your due dilligence, you ask around in the community and youll find out what youre looking for