The main article can be found on https://www.werenotwizards.co.uk/a-guide-to-buying-board-games-online/
Whether you're an active player looking for that next hot board game, or a collector looking to fill a gap on the shelf. There's so many different ways to purchase games that it can be confusing. Sometimes chasing that 'must have' can put you into the potential situation of being scammed out of your cold hard cash for card board. You want to buy from the right sellers and avoid refunds and returns. Here's a simply guide to keep your bank account safe and your collection full.
Online Websites
RULE ONE - Stick to the sites you know, unless they come recommended by several peers. If you're a member of a local gaming group, Facebook Group or Tabletop Discord, it's worthwhile asking your friends and fellow gamers if they've heard of the site you've been checking out. If they have doubts, then consider leaving well alone.
The tabletop website www.boardgameprices.co.uk allows you to search for a particular game title, where you will see the average price the game sells for including links to online retail sites that currently have stock. It normally only includes well established online retailers with a mixture of marketplace and website sellers. Worth using to price your own games when it comes to selling them.
What website address does the site have?
Most websites will have a main top level domain name, e.g. www.werenotwizards.com. It shows a level of legitimacy with regards to the company. You can often check company details by doing some further research on the website address. Sites that use sub domain web addresses such as werenotwizards.shopify.com have often gone for the quickest, simplest and cheapest option to set up their shop and require further checking before you purchase from them. There are real sites that have a content site that connects to a sub domain shop, but personally I've yet to see a board game seller that has a shop without owning the appropriate domain name. Look for the tells that the site has been set up quickly and without too much care. Does it have a cookie policy when you first visit? Is there a category structure to the different products that it sells? Is it using a very basic shop template with little or no customisation? If in doubt, refer to RULE ONE.
What Physical Address does the website have on its policy pages?
Online companies should display the physical registered address of the business or physical premises and it should be easy to find under the site conditions or contact page. If you are in doubt, put the physical address into a search engine. If the answers don't match the website, beware of purchasing anything from them unless you can confirm they actually exist. You can take this further and check Companies House if needs be, but often searching for a business address will bring up the Companies House entry as one of the first search results.
Are they a Sociable Bunch?
Does the company have a proper email address or have active social media accounts like a Facebook page? If they have no real presence outside of their website then double check before you purchase from them. Check on how you contact them. If they only have a basic contact form and generic email address, then ask yourself how you would reach them if there was an issue with your order.
Does the price look too good to be true?
If the items are selling for much less than you expect them to be then take a second before you charge ahead. If it is a site you don't know, or if you've come via an external ad(like Facebook), then double check before you pay. Also Check RULE ONE, as some companies will often have deals on in order to clear out physical stock to make room for more tabletop games and could be running genuine clearance sales.
This is the only place that seems to have this game..
Think you've found the only place on the internet that has that much sought after game you've been after for months? How likely are they to actually have your grail game in stock? Do they fulfil the rules above? Often scammers will use difficult to get hold of games in order to trick shoppers into thinking that they have the stock and get that impulse purchase. If you are in doubt, RULE ONE.
What Payment Methods Do They Accept?
If it is offered, try to pay with an external third party payment option that offers some protection. Shop Pay is sometimes offered but be wary as that requires you normally to give card details. While Shop Pay is secure, it means when it comes to a claim you'll normally need to refer to your bank if there are any issues. Most legitimate shops will offer a range of payment options, such as PayPal, WorldPay or Amazon Pay. Try to use these services as opposed to putting card details directly into the website and never offer to pay via bank transfer directly.
What Happens If I have made a mistake?
You have ordered goods and they haven't arrived? In the first instance it is worth trying to contact the seller. Keep in mind the delivery window, and also check if you have been sent any tracking number for you order, making sure to check your email spam folder. Check their delivery promises in order to manage your expectations of delivery as not everyone automatically ships next day, especially at weekends. If you have tried all of the above and the seller has ignored all attempts at contact, then it is worthwhile raising a case with the payment method you used, especially if you believe the transaction was fraudulent. Make sure to keep a note of any contact emails that you have sent to show you have made an effort to chase the order.
If you've paid by credit card or bank card then it is worthwhile contacting you bank or card issuer and raising a case. They will potentially refund the amount paid and ask the seller for proof that they have delivered the goods. It is common practice for you to receive a refund while the investigation is carried out. If you have paid by other methods such as PayPal, you can raise a case with them directly to dispute the transaction.
Make people aware of what has happened. Spread the word of the bad actors in order to prevent other people falling foul to their tactics.
And Finally..
Does the publisher have a website you can buy the games from directly? Consider that option as it normally gives them the highest margin per sale and helps support the company even more.
Facebook Groups & Marketplaces
Facebook groups offer a rare combination of community and the chance to buy and sell board games from people who like the hobby as much as you do. However, Facebook is also targeted regularly by people who should be made to play Terraforming Mars forever in the dark, in a sandstorm. There are a few things to be aware of when considering purchasing from someone in a group.
Have they been on Facebook long?
Everyone is a newbie, and everyone has to start somewhere. Joining a group and then listing something within a couple of days is expected, but that person not existing on Facebook a week before they join the group to sell some games is extremely suspect. If you are unsure of a seller in a group, if you click on their name, it will take you to their profile page and will show you all the interactions that they have had in that group, including information on how long they have been on Facebook. If you feel something is suspect, make sure you are aware of how to report posts to the admin of that group.
How do they want you to pay?
Most groups suggest using Goods & Services via PayPal than Friends & Family, as it offer protection in case the items do not turn up within an allotted timescale. If the buyer demands payments via Friends & Family then this should possibly be considered a red flag and you should reconsider buying the game. Also if the person requests you make payment via bank transfer then you should consider withdrawing from the sale as you are offered very little protection if something goes wrong.
I'm texting you before I call
While it isn't a strict policy for a lot of groups, it is worthwhile asking people to comment under the sales post what game they are after before they send you a DM, it allows you to keep a public record of who offered on the game first, especially if there are any situations where a popular game is put up for sale. I've seen a few occasions where it wasn't clear who had first refusal on a game because they commented 'Sent a DM' and not what they were interested in
That's spam spam, sausage and spam
If you are paying someone by PayPal, then all you really need is their email address. If someone asks you to send them money and then insist that you click on a link within a Direct Message then make sure you check the link before you click on it. Facebook usually creates a preview of the link, but not always, and better to hold off on the sale just to double check. Some people will send you a paypal.me link, which is genuine, but if in doubt, ask for the email address and send the money via the normal methods through your own log in.
Sending Goods in the UK
If you find it tricky to send out parcels, then Royal Mail and other couriers offer a door collection service. The Royal Mail services can be booked via an app, and the prices are normally cheaper than what you will pay via the normal post office. This for when you realise you've bought too much and you need to start selling games to clear some shelf space.
If things go wrong?
In the first instance contact the person you bought the game from. Most issues can be sorted out with a conversation. If it is unfortunately a fraudulent seller then you can put a claim in through PayPal who will investigate the issue. Make sure you make the admins aware of the issue and then get permission from them to make others aware in the group of any bad actors.
This is for information purposes only. The information contained within this article is based on personal experience. The companies mentioned in this article are purely for illustrative purposes only. If you would like to support this website then please consider supporting us through www.patreon.com/werenotwizards
