In view of recent events where people seem to be getting shafted more and more, I though I'd put down a few items that can help out the new guys and girls. I'm probably forgetting a few points, but here is some basic steps you can take to help protect you from getting ripped off. Please feel free to add tips or correct something I may have gotten wrong.
1. If an item looks to good to be true for a price, it probably is. The scammers will offer an item at a really good price and switch items on you if you're not careful, the old "bait and switch" tactic. To ensure this doesnt happen , let them hit the accept buton first and check the item again to make sure it's the one you want. If everyting looks kosher, then go ahead.
2. If they ask for more money after a deal has been made, chances are they will try to scam you. They switch the item while you're adding more money. Cancel the trade and start over. Follow the directions from #1.
3. Run FRAPS during every trade. If something goes wrong, you have live action video of it which makes it really easy to get them banned. Tell them that you have it and are using it, that should scare away most scammmers. You can pick it up here:
http://muhq.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10585
4. I
only trade with people from this forum because i've gotten to know them and trust them. Lets face it, no one here wants a bad rep, so they will probably be fair. Because of this, i've never been scammed or trade hacked.
Setting up your trades here will reduce your chances of getting scammed from 40% to about 5%, just do some research and check into a members past posts to see what kind of trades they've done in the past.
5. NEVER be in a rush to trade, thats when you are at your most vulnerable. Your guard is down and you make mistakes. Take your time while trading, if it takes an extra 30 seconds to make sure everything is secure, it's worth the time to protect your jewels/money.
General hints
- If it looks like they're too low a level to have the stuff they're selling, then it could be a "mule" character, take caution. Mules are often used on a different account than the good characters so if that account gets banned, then it's no big deal to the user.
- If someone wants to see your stuff for no reason, don't show them. There are too many trade hacks/scammes out there and someone will eventually try to take your stuff. Put it this way, DON'T SHOW YOUR STUFF TO ANYBODY...EVER.
- If they ask you if you want to dupe your jewels or items, JUST SAY NO! What they'll ask you to do is to give them your stuff so they can do it, and then they disappear. Same goes for offering to hack your stuff to a higher option or plus. They rely on people's greed for this to work, don't let it happen to you. In fact, take screen shots and report them to webzen here:
Mu-Gm@webzen.co.kr
askzen@webzen.co.kr
Now, this won't make you 100% invulnerable to scammers, but it will sure help. Please feel free to add tips, lets try to help each other out.
