| If at all possible, obtain your customer's phone number. This may
be helpful to avoid unanswered email when trying to close a deal.
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| Obtain references your customer has done
business with. When making deals that involve a lot of money, this is always a good
idea.
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| Consider small transactions with new customers
first. This may be helpful before you give up that high priced memorabilia item.
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| Reference bad trader lists (black lists)
before finalizing a deal. It is a good idea to bookmark bad trader lists for future
reference.
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| Consider utilizing a neutral party to finalize
a deal. For example, Both parties send their merchandise to a neutral party who
then distributes the item(s) to the appropriate parties.
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| Be alert when conducting business with
customers utilizing free email service. These email providers do not limit the
number of accounts a person can have - making it easy for someone to change their
identity. Sports Memorabilia Online utilizes a free
email provider (Hotmail) for two reasons: (1) so our staff can conduct business from
multiple remote locations and (2) this service reduces our overhead cost, enabling us to
offer our products at competitive prices and keep our services free.
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| Also, be alert sending merchandise to P.O.
boxes. Although P.O. boxes do cost money and these are the only means for mail in
rural reas, there still is a changing of identity issue.
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