Safety on LabX

Safety Quick Tips:

• Use a reputable and trustworthy payment option
• Do not give out any personal information, such as banking information, SIN #, passwords, etc.
• Be wary of sellers who ask for uncommon payment options. Trust your instincts
• Ensure you know exactly what you are purchasing, before making any payments

Safety Overview

LabX is a media service for the exchange of scientific equipment. We neither buy nor sell equipment, but rather provide a means for buyers and sellers to connect. LabX does not take part in the transaction process between buyers and sellers, and therefore we strongly advise you to make smart and safe choices while communicating with others on LabX.

Research the seller - Reading the available information about a seller will help you proceed with the transaction: the seller’s previous ads placed on LabX; how long they have been registered with LabX; are they a LabX sponsor, etc. Also, view the ratings and comments left by other buyers who have dealt with this seller. Ratings indicate valuable feedback to the LabX community that can provide insight when dealing with unknown sellers. Contact LabX if you have any questions.

Read the ad carefully - Understand the item being sold and the terms of the sale. Is a warranty offered? Will the item work when you receive it? Are returns accepted? What are the payment methods?

Consider the seller’s terms and conditions - Understand the conditions under which the item is being sold. Is there a specific time frame in which payment needs to be made? Does the seller ship to your location? Contact the seller for answers to your questions.

Evaluate the payment options accepted by the seller - Decide which one you would be most comfortable with, should you become the winning bidder. If you are uncomfortable with the seller’s payment options, please do not order the item. Here are the most common payment options, and whether or not LabX recommends them:

• Credit card: Most credit card companies provide 100% protection for purchases made online. Credit cards provide a fast and effective way to close the sale.
• Checks: Sending a check is an effective means of completing a sale. Remember, sending checks via the postal system adds additional time to the completion of the sale.
• Wire transfers: Wire transfers offer no protection and little recourse should problems arise. They are also frequently used in online scams. Ensure you trust the seller and/or are willing to accept the potential risks, before using this method of payment.
• Escrow services: These third-party services protect both buyer and seller by holding payment for the item and releasing it to the seller once the buyer has received and inspected the item. Most sellers will request that you cover the escrow fees.
• Online Payment Services: Many (but not all) provide some level of protection for your transaction. Ensure you understand the level of protection offered by your online payment service and what you are covered for. LabX recommends using PayPal as your trusted online payment service.

Contact the seller with any questions - You and the seller should be in complete agreement of the buying conditions before any transaction is made. Make sure you both understand when and how the transaction is taking place, the selling amount and what condition the product is in. You can contact the seller in the “Contact the Seller” section on the right side of the page. This section will send an inquiry directly to the seller. If you are registered, some listings will also provide a phone number.

LabX does not tolerate fraudulent or misleading users on our website. If you experience or suspect fraud or a scam, LabX encourages you to send us an email at help@labx.com, so that we can help facilitate the issue and support our users. Here are some resources that may help, should you encounter fraud on LabX:

• Federal Trade Commission
  Home Page: http://www.ftc.gov/
  Complaint: https://www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/submit-consumer-complaint-ftc


• Internet Fraud Complaint Center - FBI
  Home Page: http://www.ic3.gov/
  Complaint: http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/


• National Fraud Information Center: http://www.fraud.org/


• US Postal Inspection Service Mail Fraud Page
  Complaint: https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/filecomplaint.aspx