It's a good idea to take precautions when using Osceola-Ads to buy and sell your items or services. There's always some risk involved in transferring goods and payments between two parties. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind. These tips aren't designed to worry you, but to encourage you to be smart and use common sense:

• Know who you're dealing with. Ask for personal information that you can verify. For example, a home or work phone number can be verified through directory assistance or by simply calling back to make sure that the number is valid. Always try to speak on the phone before completing a transaction. You can also ask the seller or buyer for a reference – someone else who can tell you about their experiences with the buyer or seller.
• Keep all records of correspondence. Keep all email, notes, shipping papers, and payment information. Be sure to print a copy of the ad. This is your responsibility as Osceola-Ads does not provide user information or copies of old listings.
• Ask to see the item before you agree to buy. If possible, ask to see the item before you make a final decision. This will help you verify the authenticity and condition of the item and the legitimacy of the seller.
• Protect yourself. Remember that anything you put in the buyer contact information section will appear on your ad and be visible to everyone. If you include a street address, a map with driving directions is created and will be linked on your ad. You must include some contact information, but please err on the side of caution.
• Let someone know your plans. There may be a need for the buyer and seller to meet face-to-face to show the item or service for sale. Remember that you're meeting a stranger; use common sense and good judgment. When meeting face-to-face, let others know your plans. Give them the address, phone number, and name of the person you're meeting. If possible, bring a friend with you or try to meet in a public place.
• Use common sense. If an item seems too good to be true, it probably is. Do some research. For example, look at other classifieds ads or auction listings to learn the going rate for the specific items or services that interest you. Osceola-Ads does not endorse or verify the information contained in any ad. Your best protection is to use common sense and good judgment.
• Evaluate your payment options. A deal should only proceed if the buyer and seller are comfortable with each other and the type of payment. The buyer and seller should also agree on a return policy, if any, in case the buyer isn't happy with the item. If an item is expensive, don't send unsecured money or merchandise. Here are some payment and delivery options that can help protect the buyer and the seller:
  • Escrow services. Escrow protects both parties from credit card fraud, offers sellers protection from a claim of non-delivery, and gives the buyer an opportunity to inspect the product and return it if it is damaged or not as described. Before selecting an escrow service, check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the business has a satisfactory record.
  • COD. Cash on delivery ties the payment to the delivery of the merchandise and gives the buyer the chance to inspect the product.
  • Person-to-person payment services. Person-to-person payments can take place online or with a check. There are built-in protections for both parties with these services, like PayPal, or Authorize.net. These protections may vary depending on the service.