Saturday, July 30, 2011

ChestNet Transactions Payments FAQs

What is ChestNet Transactions?
ChestNet Transactions is a safe payment system for the Internet that protects both buyer and seller from various forms of online fraud, including non-delivery or misrepresentation of goods, stolen credit cards, fake checks and money orders, Nigerian scams, and more.

Does ChestNet Transactions accept Western Union or MoneyGram?
No way! ChestNet Transactions does not allow or recommend the use of Western Union, MoneyGram, BidPay, PayPal or other forms of outside payment. If you receive an offer asking you to do business outside of the ChestNet Transactions system, don't do it, it's most likely a SCAM! You should never send money or contact information directly to the seller – that's our job! Once you enter into a formal transaction, ChestNet Transactions will validate both parties to make sure everyone receives full protection. Remember, ChestNet Transactions can only protect you if you stay within the system!

What if a user asks to use Western Union, MoneyGram, BidPay or other types of money orders?
Don’t fall for the trap! ChestNet Transactions does NOT endorse or support Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal or other types of money orders. To fully protect yourself keep within the ChestNet Transactions system and your transaction will be protected.

Does ChestNet Transactions support users outside the United States?
ChestNet Transactions ONLY supports sellers with valid Bank Accounts and buyers who have the ability to pay using the ChestNet Transactions system and payment options. We offer our services in U.S, Canada and United Kingdom ONLY.

Is ChestNet Transactions the same as PayPal?
ChestNet Transactions and PayPal are both payment services that can be used to pay just about anyone, anywhere on the Net. With PayPal, buyers pay the seller before they receive their purchase, then wait for it to arrive. With ChestNet Transactions, the money is collected and held for the seller until the buyer receives the item. The seller is paid when both parties are satisfied. ChestNet Transactions protects buyers and sellers equally from fraud.

How much does it cost to use ChestNet Transactions?
ChestNet Transactions is always free for buyers. Sellers are only charged a small transaction fee if the transaction takes place with a credit card. eChecks are currently free and encouraged! Registration is required, but there are no entry fees, membership dues or monthly charges to use the service. Sellers pay no transaction fee for eChecks and a small transaction fee when they complete a sale via credit card. No sale, no fee! Credit card transaction fees are deducted when the funds are transferred to a U.S. bank account.

How does ChestNet Transactions work?
ChestNet Transactions payment service can be used for transactions that begin in other venues, such as eBay, Craigslist. An ChestNet Transactions transaction officially begins when an offer is accepted and the buyer has successfully completed a Purchase Order (P.O.). At this time, ChestNet Transactions can safely ship the item to the buyer, since funds are verified, collected and placed in a secure account.
Once the item arrives, the buyer has up to 10-days to approve the transaction. The seller cannot be paid until the buyer approves, and the buyer cannot collect a refund unless the seller approves. Since neither the buyer nor seller can ever have both the money and the item at the same time, both parties are protected. Most transactions are approved and completed within 24 hours of delivery.

Can I use ChestNet Transactions on eBay?
Yes. ChestNet Transactions is the safest way to buy or sell anything, to anyone, anywhere on the Net – including eBay and Craigslist. It can also be used to safely complete private party transactions.

Do I need to register to use ChestNet Transactions?
Yes. You must register to use ChestNet Transactions, but it’s fast, free and easy. Don’t worry, your privacy is important to us! We will never give your financial details to the other party, and your contact information will only be shared after a P.O. is issued.

I’m a buyer. How do I pay a seller?
Once your offer is accepted, the next step is to register on our website by using the registration form. This will confirm all of the details of your order, and provide us with necessary shipping and contact information. As soon as the registration details are verified and confirmed with the seller, we will send an invoice with the payment instructions and the transaction details. You must send the payment to one of our Business Bank Accounts and send a payment confirmation document (receipt) after completing the payment. You must have a U.S. Bank Account to complete this step. We will collect your payment and hold it until you receive and approve your purchase. That’s it! Just say the word and we’ll pay the seller.

I’m a seller. How do I get paid?
You will be notified by email once the buyer receives and approves the item. Just follow the link to the site and provide us with your account number. We’ll automatically deposit the proceeds from your sale (less the small transaction fee) directly to your US bank account.

I’m a buyer. How do I buy something listed on ChestNet Transactions?
Once you find something you want to buy on Craigslist, simply click the “Register” link from our website and enter the details on the page. You can enter the seller’s asking price, or make your own offer. If an offer is made, we must consult with the seller and see if your offer is accepted. If the seller's response is positive, ChestNet Transactions will send you an invoice prompting you to send the payment via bank account to one of our Business Bank Accounts. ChestNet Transactions will then collect and hold your payment, and the seller will be notified that your order can be shipped. You’ll receive an email when your item is sent, and we’ll even track it for you. Once it arrives, you’ll have up to 10-days to approve the sale so we can pay the seller.

I’m a seller. How do I sell something on ChestNet Transactions?
To sell on ChestNet Transactions, you can either place a sell ad, or make an offer on a want ad. Your sell ad is free until you complete a sale, and you can sell multiple items, to multiple buyers, from a single ad. When a buyer makes you an offer, ChestNet Transactions will send you an email with the details and a link to your ad. If you like the offer, accept it, and the buyer will issue you a purchase order (P.O.). Once you receive the P.O., you’ll know that your money has been safely collected and verified, and you are free to ship the item. Once the buyer receives the item as agreed, you will be able to collect payment directly to your U.S. bank account (less a small transaction fee).
To sell on ChestNet Transactions, you must first arrange a meeting with a ChestNet Transactions sales manager. We come to your home, describe the terms and conditions of the sale, inspect and evaluate the item you wish to sell and if all conditions are met you sign a sales contract with us. You then place your ad for sale on eBay or Craigslist and find a buyer. If the buyer accepts the item's description and all terms are accepted, the buyer must register to start the transaction. That's it for you, the rest is our job.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

How to Safely Buy an iPhone

How to Safely Buy an iPhoneSo, you have a life and didn’t want to act like a wannabe Wookie and wait in a long line for an iPhone. For that I commend you! But like most of us, we’re on the outside looking in on what has been one of the most anticipated – and successfully hyped – product releases since one can remember. So what now? At ChestNet Transactions, we’ve anticipated the launch in a different light. We expected and received an entirely new wave of fraudsters and they haven’t disappointed us. We’ve been diligently removing phony iPhone ads as they appear all day long. Of course, nothing makes us happier than seeing a fraudster waste his time on our site just to get rejected by the ChestNet Transactions Fraud Protection system. I don’t know what’s been easier; breathing or stopping iPhone scams on ChestNet Transactions! But just in case you want some extra protection here are a few buying tips when purchasing a new iPhone online:

1) Be prepared to pay in full.“What! Pay in full?” you say? That’s correct! Apple didn’t discount their iPhones so if someone is selling their iPhone below what’s listed on Apple or AT&T you can bet it’s a scam.

2) Do NOT send payments via money order, Western Union or like payment service! This actually applies to all on and offline transactions, but I will diligently and responsibly reiterate this message just to remind our fraud-free readers. Once you send your money via Western Union, it’s long gone! Use a reputable and secure payment service like ChestNet Transactions to protect your transaction. Besides, it’s free for buyers and affordable for sellers. Heck, for a limited time if you use an eCheck, our payment security is free to both of buyer and seller.

3) Avoid “Free iPhone” scams and solicitations. Most are just phishing for your personal information or will require you to jump through more hoops and hoopla than the iPhone is actually worth. The “Free iPhone” scams are just elaborate ways to prey upon those that are juiced up on hopium (yes, that’s a new word and I plan I using it again in future blogs). The only thing that’s free will be your personal information you provide to these bottom feeders.

4) Buy from Apple or AT&T Wireless. Why pay more on eBay or Craigslist or even our beloved ChestNet Transactions when you can buy an iPhone directly from Apple or AT&T Wireless? Of course when and if supplies run out, you’ll see opportunistic sellers flood the market with their inventory in hope of turning a buck or two. If that turns out to be the case, I suggest reading #2 again.

Fight Fraud!
./Casey

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Maintenance on ChestNet Transactions Email Server

Great news! We’re making upgrades to our email server today and should be up and running again any hour now. If you don’t want to wait for your registration email and want the ChestNet Transactions team to confirm your registration for you, just click “Contact Us” to go to our contact form.

Buy and Sell Safely!
./Casey

Sunday, April 17, 2011

RipOffReport.com: Useful or Useless?

As it’s been well documented, us crime fighters at ChestNet Transactions take fighting online fraud seriously. I always want to offer more ways to protect our buyers and sellers and here’s one that might be worth a glance. I read an article in the LA Times today about a website that helped catch a suspected fraudster, Kathleen Legaspi: http://www.ripoffreport.com/

I’m still playing with the site, RipOffReport.com, but the idea of a centralized fraud reporting portal for everyone to reference is a great idea. Wikipedia of scams if you will. I personally wish they had a tool to search email addresses of suspected fraudsters, but I couldn’t find one if it existed.

More to come about RipOffReport.com after the ChestNet Transactions fraud prevention team plays with it a bit more, but we’d like to hear from our users to see if they’ve had any experience with this site.

Buy and Sell Safely,
./Casey

Friday, March 18, 2011

ChestNet Transactions helping Japan victims

While the devastating Japan earthquake and tsunami have passed, the recovery and mourning have just begun. The disaster could become the most expensive earthquake in history. The crisis could get even worse, depending on what happens next at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Now, more than ever, the Japanese people need our help and support to get through this crisis.

ChestNet Transactions is  willing to donate 5% of all profits to the tsunami and earthquake victims. ” We wanted to donate items that didn’t sell through our service and ask all our customers to donate as much as they can but shipping anything there is a nightmare and we decided to just donate 5% of our profits to the victims.” said David Gantert the founder of ChestNet Transactions yesterday in a press meeting. “Some of our customers are donating as much as they can and we should make an example for them by giving even more” said David.

The ChestNet Transactions specialize in online consignment services for businesses, individuals, and non-profit groups offering their services on eBay and Craigslist.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

March Madness Comes Early at ChestNet Transactions

Yes, we know it’s early to discuss March Madness. The pool of 64 teams hasn’t even been announced yet. Heck, the biggest conference championship games have yet to even take place yet! But while on the subject of conference champs, how intriguing is the Pac 10 championship going to be this week at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA? Ucla, Washington State, USC, Arizona, Oregon and Washington can all stake claim to the title.

Personally, I think Washington is playing the best basketball at this time after sweeping the LA schools over the weekend. But the team to beat will be from LA and I’m not talking about those gutty little Bruins, I’m talking about the men of Troy. Yes, those Trojans. The path isn’t clear for anyone but if the finals come down to an ‘SC vs Ucla match-up the Trojans are due. An early season free throw melt down at home cost the Trojans from a sure W over their cross-town rivals, but a lack of free throw love from the refs in the rematch (Ucla shot 35 free throw to 5, yes FIVE, for USC) gave the Ucla Bruins the sweep. I’m not a betting man, but if I was, I’d go with the old adage that third times a charm. That’s assuming that both LA schools can battle past the other powerhouses in the Pac 10.

But back to the reason for this post. We’re excited to report we made some ‘behind the scenes’ improvements to ChestNet Transactions on Friday, March 3rd, 2007. It’s not as exciting as discussing college basketball but we want to let our community of fraud-free friends know that we’ve made updates and we like sports.

If you have any issues to report, please do so by filling out this easy to use bug form.

Buy and Sell Safely!
./Casey