Craigslist is a great one-stop hub for many things including concert, sports, and event tickets.  It has also been a prime place for bulk sellers to get free advertising and unload last minute deals on inventory.  People are hungry for last minute deals, yet are hesitant to pull the trigger with the fear of being scammed.  As a company that deals with craigslist consumers, the number one question encountered when speaking to a potential buyer is “how can I trust you with my credit card information?”  This sparks the debate: Cash vs. Credit on craigslist.

If you do your research on past craigslist scam stories, you’ll see two big common factors:

1. They all met the seller in person.
2. They all paid in cash.

Yet most people still insist they’d rather meet in person and not give their credit card information when buying tickets.    This isn’t to say that you should give your credit card to just anyone over the phone, but there are a few things you can verify that will ensure safety:

1. If dealing with a seller that is from a ticket company, find out if they have a physical address, website, etc for credibility.
   a.) Even better if you can verify their business on Google’s Street View feature.
2. Are you calling a toll free or business landline or just a random cellphone number? Numbers can be traced back on Google if it is a business line and you should be able to find a business name/address.
3. When paying with credit card, make sure you receive a receipt.
4. If having tickets shipped to you, make sure the seller supplies a tracking number.

If dealing with a business, customer service is their number one goal since they want you to come back as a customer and tell your friends about their company.  So fulfilling your order is a must for them.  Another upside to using a credit card is the extra added security.  In the worst case scenario you get ripped off, you will get credited back by the credit card company.  On the other hand, if you give cash to a stranger who runs off, that money will likely not come running back to you.

So don’t immediately write off a seller on craigslist if they’re unable to meet in person.  If they’re transparent and give you the information you need to fully verify them, you’re in good hands.  If they’re not cooperative, then be weary.

On the flip side of all this, businesses that deal on craigslist are equally as weary with the customers they deal with.  Fraud works both ways and ends up more expensive for the business.  When businesses have to deal with orders paid for with stolen credit cards, not only must a refund be issued but penalty and processing fees are incurred as well.  The company ends up losing money because of this.  If you want to save yourself and the company you’re dealing with any trouble then be sure to use a card that is either billed to the same address it is being delivered to or an address verified by the credit card company.

Buyers and sellers alike have their worries when dealing through craigslist, but if everyone takes the proper steps to ensure safety, everyone will be happy at the end of the day.