Archive for the ‘Tips & Safety’ Category
Gumtree and Dogs Trust
Here at Gumtree.com the welfare of our furry friends is something close to our heart. We take all matters of animal and pet protection very seriously, so we’ve teamed up with the Dogs Trust to help support their ‘A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas’ campaign. Over the next few weeks you’ll see links to their advice and information across our pets category, as we help them spread the word that a dog really is for life – not just a novelty Christmas present. Clarissa Baldwin, the CEO of the Dogs Trust, has kindly written a guest blog post for us telling you more about the campaign and why it’s important. It also includes a link to a video from Dermot O’Leary giving practical advice for people looking for a pet online. We hope you find this useful, The Gumtree Team.
Buying a puppy for Christmas? Ho No No
Did you know that a third of all children put a puppy on their Christmas wish list? Or that more than one in six parents say they would buy a dog as a Christmas gift if their child asked for one?*
I have to admit that I was really disappointed to find this out when Dogs Trust did some research recently. The terrible thing is that around 100 of these dogs are handed in or abandoned at Dogs Trust Rehoming Centres every Christmas; they have becomegifts that have lost their novelty value once the excitement has worn off. Many more end up in other animal shelters around the country.
And that’s why this year, tied in with our annual message that A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas, Dogs Trust is launching the Ho No No campaign: asking people to please take puppies off the Christmas wish list
We think one of the reasons puppies are seen as suitable gifts is that they are so easily bought and sold online. Although there are many reputable sellers, we really want people to be aware of the dangers of buying an animal online and to understand why Christmas is not a great time to introduce a puppy into your home.
If you don’t do your research you could end up losing thousands of pounds if your pup turns out to be poorly, and potentially suffer the tragic heartbreak of losing your new pet unexpectedly.
Please do listen to TV presenter and Dogs Trust friend Dermot O’Leary’s specially recorded words of warning if you are looking to buy a pet online, and some of our other celebrity friends have recorded messages explaining exactly why A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas here.
Season’s greetings from all at Dogs Trust!
Clarissa Baldwin, CEO of Dogs Trust
*Dogs Trust survey carried out by One Poll in October 2011. 1,000 respondents of parents with children aged 3 to 16 years
Advice from Gumtree.com and the National Union of Students on how to rent safely
If you’re moving into a new pad at university, make sure you rent safely and avoid potential scams during the September rental rush. With the combination of thousands of students facing the last-minute scramble for accommodation, and the rise in people looking for new homes in September, we’d like to warn all potential tenants to be vigilant.
Our security experts are offering advice highlighting potential ways in which scammers could operate.
Property does not exist
Scammers may advertise luxury properties for rent, in very desirable locations – but for an unusually low rent. The ‘owner’ may claim they are unable to meet would-be tenants in person to show them the property, perhaps because they ‘live overseas’. They could then ask for a deposit using a money transfer service, and the would-be tenants may be unable to contact the advertiser and the property may not even exist.
Property is not owned by the ‘landlord’
It is possible for a scammer to gain access to a house illegally, when an owner is on holiday or away for a long period of time. They could then advertise it for rent and secure a deposit from tenants. In this scenario tenants who try to move in would find the home owners have returned – and the rental agreement revealed as a scam. The ‘landlord’ may have disappeared and the tenants would not be able to reclaim their deposit.
Fake escrow sites
A prospective ‘landlord’ could suggest using an escrow service to complete a rental transaction. Fake escrow websites often look official, but are run by fraudsters that could take deposit money and then close down shortly afterwards with no way to contact them again.
Top tips from Gumtree.com on how to avoid the scammers
- View properties in person before paying any money. Even if they claim to be overseas, people who are not willing to show you their property or meet with you before accepting you as their tenant aren’t likely to be legitimate
- For your own safety, always have someone with you
- Ask lots of questions about the property and the area. Any genuine landlord or agent should know the answers and give them
- For extra piece of mind you may want to consider only renting from a landlord or agent that is a member of a professional accreditation scheme (e.g. ARLA, NALs, NLA etc)
- If dealing with a landlord directly, ask to see their proof of ownership for the property before handing over any money
- Never provide your personal identity or banking information to others over the internet e.g. details or photocopies of your passport, driving licence or your credit card number. Only give this information to a landlord or agency once you’ve met them in person, viewed the property and decided to proceed with a rental arrangement. You should always view requests for personal information by someone you haven’t met with extreme caution
- Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Use Gumtree.com safely to rent a property and make sure you visit our safety advice for additional information.
Visit www.nus.org.uk for more information on how students can rent safely.
Gumtree Pets – part 2
Here’s the next instalment in our series of pet blogs. This week we’re looking at how to happily settle in a new cat or dog to your home.
Preparing your home for a new arrival
Moving to a new home can be stressful for your new pet, so be patient and understanding and provide lots of affection. Here are some pointers to help you get your fluffy new family member settled in happily:
Cats – For the first few days in your home it’s a good idea to keep your cat in one room whilst he gets used to his new surroundings and family. Prepare the room with a cat bed, litter tray, food and water bowl, a few toys and a place he can hide if he becomes anxious. Bringing bedding from his previous home will help him to feel more settled.
Safety – Make your new home safe by being mindful of household hazards that may harm your pet. A safety gate is useful for preventing curious young dogs exploring unsafe areas of your house such as the cleaning cupboard.
Looking at your house from the eye level of your pet may help you to spot any possible dangers.
Veterinary Care
Register with a vet as soon as you can, and learn basic pet first aid.
Cat and dog Care Essentials
Your pet will give you a lifetime of unconditional love and friendship. In return he counts on you to provide him with food, water, safe shelter, regular veterinary care, exercise, companionship and more. Follow our top tips and you’re sure to develop a rewarding relationship with your furry friend.
- Give your pet with a collar and ID tag that includes your name, address, and telephone number. No matter how careful you are there’s a chance your pet may become lost – an ID tag greatly increases the chance that they will be returned home safely.
- Take your pet to the veterinarian for vaccinations and regular check-ups.
Spaying or neutering your pet is also an option. Animals that have this routine surgery tend to live longer, be healthier, and have fewer behaviour problems. By spaying or neutering your pet you’re also helping to reduce the problem of pet overpopulation. - Groom your pet often to keep their coat healthy, soft, and shiny. Although it is especially important to brush long-haired cats and dogs to prevent their hair from matting, even short-haired pets need to be groomed to remove as much loose hair as possible.
- Ensure your pet has a nutritionally balanced diet, including constant access to fresh water. Ask your vet for advice on what and how much to feed your pet.
- Give your dog proper shelter. A fenced yard with a doghouse is a bonus especially for large and active dogs; however dogs should never be left outside alone or for extended periods of time. Dogs need and crave companionship and should spend lots of time inside with their family.
- Give your dog enough exercise. Most dog owners find that playing with their canine companion, along with walking him twice a day provides sufficient exercise. If you have questions about the level of exercise appropriate for your dog consult your vet.
- Set aside time to play with your cat. While cats do not need the same level of exercise that dogs do, enjoying regular play sessions with your pet will provide him with the physical exercise and mental stimulation he needs as well as strengthening your friendship.
- Be patient with your New pet. Make sure the expectations you have of your dog are reasonable and remember that the vast majority of behavioural problems can be solved. If you are struggling with your pet’s behaviour, contact your veterinarian or local animal shelter for advice.
If you’d like more information you can read our previous blog post in this series, or a guest blog post from our friends at the RSPCA.
Guest blog post – Justine Pannett, RSPCA
A guest post from Justine Pannett, Get Puppy Smart Campaign Manager at the RSPCA
We’ve worked with Gumtree.com for a number of years now, helping them with posting rules for the pets category, and consulting on important issues such as sharing up-to-date details about banned breeds of dogs.
We recognise that many people will use the internet to find a pet but some websites are a lot less scrupulous than others.
We know that Gumtree takes this issue very seriously which is why we recently chose to partner with the site on our Get Puppy Smart campaign to help pet owners make the right choices when it comes to buying a puppy. We have links to our Puppy Smart site across the pet section of Gumtree, and everyone that responds to an ad to get a puppy through the site automatically receives an email from Gumtree with tips, advice, and a link to our Puppy Smart website.
When looking to get a puppy, we recommend:
- Always see the puppy with its mother in the place where it was bred
- Check the puppy’s age – a puppy should be at least eight weeks old before leaving its mother
- Check vaccination records and any other papers carefully
- Ask lots of questions about and observe how the mother behaves towards you – does she greet you in a calm and friendly manner.
- Do think about adopting a dog rather than buying a puppy – could you give a home to an unwanted dog?
For more information on how to find the right puppy for you please visit the Get Puppy Smart Website.
Justine Pannett, RSPCA
*Please note that comments are turned off on this blog post.
For further tips and information about our pet section, please read our previous blog: Gumtree and Pets.
Gumtree Pets
Gumtree.com is a local noticeboard and many people use it to find pets for sale or to find new homes for their pets. Safety in our pet section is something that Gumtree takes very seriously. We work with several welfare groups including the RSPCA and our own community to ensure our rules and monitoring systems are always up to date. All Gumtree customers benefit from community input and we value this feedback.
We’ll be blogging more about pets on Gumtree in the coming weeks, but here are the essentials to think about before using our Pet Section.
Our guidelines for finding a safe and loving new home for your pet:
- Visit the prospective new home to get a feel for the environment. Explain that the pet is part of your family and that you want to make sure he or she will be cared for. Screen potential homes carefully.
- Don’t be fooled. If anyone refuses to allow you to visit their home, do not place your pet with them.
- Carefully consider all the elements of the new home for your particular pet – will it get along with small children? Is the family planning to keep a dog outside? Would a cat be kept only to catch rodents? Does the family have a veterinary reference? Do not be shy about asking questions as your pet’s happiness may depend on it.
- Ask for a valid form of identification (preferably a driver’s license). Record the number for your records and require the new owner to sign a contract stating the requirements of adoption upon which both parties agree. As part of the contract, require the new owner to contact you if he or she decides at some point that they must give up the pet.
- We wouldn’t recommend giving your pet away for free. A genuine buyer, who can offer your pet the love and attention it deserves, will be happy to pay for it.
Asking your local shelter for help may be the best option for you and your pet, they often have qualified staff trained to screen and advise prospective adopters.
Our guidelines when searching for a new pet:
- Search Gumtree for animals in your immediate local area. Long distances increase risks and make it harder to visit the pets in their home environment.
- Visit the pet’s home and see how they’re cared for. Ask to see where the animals are kept – are they inside the house in a place where they get lots of attention or are they outside? Is it similar to your own home environment? An animal used to a quiet atmosphere might not be suitable if you’re not an experienced pet , if your home is very noisy, or you have children.
- If you’re planning to adopt a young animal (which should only be from 8 weeks of age) ask to see the parents. If the owner will not let you see the parents of a puppy or kitten there may be a problem.
- Always ask about the animal’s health, and get details of any past veterinary treatment. If you’re looking for a young animal always ask about the mother’s health.
Alternatively, try visiting your local pet rescue centre. There are many animals living at these centre’s looking for a new and permanent home.
Gumtree pets posting rules:
In additional to our general posting rules, we also have specific rules for posting a pet ad. If you see an ad that you believe breaches our pet policy please report it by using the ‘report an ad’ button.
For more advice, visit the RSPCA website, or their new Get Puppy Smart website for puppy specific help.
Top tips from Consumer Direct
Dealing directly with people in your local area through a site like Gumtree is very different to buying from a shop or online retailer, as most people you deal with are private sellers. This does impact your rights so it’s important to know where you stand from the outset. We got Michele Shambrook from Consumer Direct, the government-funded consumer advice service, to offer you some top tips:
Ask questions
In a private sale, the goods that you buy must be as described, but a seller who is not acting as a business is not covered by the rules on satisfactory quality and fitness for purpose. Because of this, it is vital that you know what you are buying – check the ad has detailed information on the condition of the item and a clear photograph – if it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to ask for them, and any other questions you have. In most cases the seller should be more than happy to clarify basic questions for you but it’s best to ask for any additional information in writing.
Do your homework and shop around
It’s all too easy to get carried away and buy something on impulse, only to later discover that you’ve paid over the odds and might have been able to get it cheaper elsewhere. Make sure you check the product description, type of model and the retail price of similar goods.
Check the item before buying it
Websites that encourage face-to-face trading enable you to see and examine an item before buying it. Don’t be afraid of taking your time to check the product carefully, ask questions and if it’s not exactly what you were looking for, be prepared to walk away. Remember, you are under no obligation.
Be aware of the latest scams
Consumer Direct does come across a range of scams and some of them are so sophisticated it is easy to see how people can fall for them and lose money. Make sure you check Gumtree’s Stay Safe section to make sure you know what to look out for or contact Consumer Direct for advice.
If in doubt, report it
If you suspect anything suspicious, you can alert Gumtree’s safety team.
If you’d like any further consumer advice, check out Consumer Direct.
How to build more space for your home
If you’ve got closets stacked to the brim, winter clothes stashed away under the bed and extra furniture gathering dust in the basement, it might be time to think about adding some extra space. Have you ever thought of extending your home? There are a number of different approaches you can take, depending on your house and what best suits your needs – from kitchen extensions to loft, basement, shed and garage conversions. We’ve asked Rachel from MyBuilder.com to offer some expert tips on extending your home without extending your budget:
1. The magic number 3
Anyone who’s worth their salt in the construction industry will agree: get at least 3 quotes from different builders. Knowing your options will give you bargaining power and could save you valuable pounds. Cheaper doesn’t always mean better, but that’s for you to decide. The most important thing when looking at the numbers is to make sure you’re comparing like for like. Generally, there are 3 basic types of quotes to look out for:
- Quotations: the actual price you’ll pay for the cost of work
- Estimations: a ballpark figure based on a relative understanding of variables at hand
- Guestimations: exactly what it sounds like, a guess, which seldom works in your favour
Always ask the builder for a breakdown to ensure clarity on which type you’re getting. You can post details of what you need done through MyBuilder, and get multiple quotes, references, and photos of past work.
2. Vision decision
Saying you want more room in your house is way too vague. Map out your vision. Know what you want. Find pictures, even clip images out of magazines to illustrate your wish list. This helps bring a common understanding of the end goal and facilitates the conversation with your builder. Clarity and good communication can help avoid overages and blunders.
3. Making a small effort saves you big time
Having a good relationship with your builder could save you a massive headache as well as massive costs. Communication is at the heart of everything, and often when the communication breaks down, so does the project. If you make any changes, always document your requests. This helps to make sure that wires don’t get crossed. Most importantly, at the first sign of a problem, address the issue head on with a site meeting. Talk it through sooner, rather than later, to avoid tension or misunderstanding.
4. Cash for clutter
You have to make space to add space. If you’re putting in an extension, go through your unwanted items and sell them on Gumtree. The dosh you make could be used to beef up your budget.
5. Contracts
Think about what kind of payment plan you want to set up. Cash in hand is a preferred method for some builders, but may cause problems down the line. Stage payments, bank transfers and cheques are the ideal way to monitor and confirm that payments have been made.
6. Certification
At the end of the project, it’s a good idea to ask for a walkthrough with the builder. Hold onto a retainer for snagging until building control has signed off the work and you’ve received all necessary paperwork. Any certification for council / electrical compliance certificates should be issued prior to payment.
7. Insurance
It’s always a good idea to ask to see a copy of the builder’s insurance. If you want to be really thorough – check with the provider in relation to status and expiry dates and make sure your project is covered throughout the project time period.
8. Materials
If you’re having the builder manage the materials, make sure they’re getting the kind of quality you expect. Better still, ask for detailed descriptions in the quote. Before you hand over the final payment, ask for guarantees on the products. Check with your local council to be sure you have the documentation that you need.
9. Clean it up and kit it out
Now that you’ve got this nice new space, make it your own. The builder should make good on the project, but you may like to bring in a professional cleaner to get your new space ready. Once your new space is fresh and clean, start moving in all that extra furniture from your basement and start decorating.
Google is your friend
John, a member of our voluntary Good Neighbour team who goes by the name of ‘Livecell’ on the Gumtree forums, thinks everyone should do a little online checking before committing to a deal. He shares on the power of search engines:
The one thing I’ve realised when talking to people who have fallen victim to online scams is that they’re often too hasty and go ahead with the transaction without doing any checking. I find this astounding when modern search engines are more powerful than ever. It’ll only take you a few minutes to do a bit of searching for your peace of mind.
The best place to start is by searching the seller’s name, phone number and email address. Fake details are often used by dodgy sellers and they’re usually used numerous times, so someone may have posted these details somewhere on the internet. A search on Google will quickly find any mention of these details.
Remember though, just because their details don’t come up in a search, it doesn’t mean they’re not dodgy. You should still exercise caution when doing a deal.
Also make sure you search for the new and second-hand price of the item you’re trying to buy. If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.
Good luck and stay safe.
Buying a second-hand phone? Don’t get ripped off
Buying a second-hand mobile phone can be a bit more complicated than buying a brand new phone. There’s the potential of more things going wrong, such as the phone being blocked, not working or turning out to be a stolen phone. Steve, one of our Good Neighbour team members who goes by the name ‘Nottinghamste’ on the Gumtree forums, has some tips when you’re buying a second-hand phone online:
- Meet with your seller. Never agree to send a seller funds from your bank account and especially DO NOT send payment via money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram. Also, don’t send a payment to someone using PayPal and mark it as a gift. If the person turns out to be a scammer, PayPal won’t be able to help you.
- Always ask for a receipt. Get your seller to sign and write his/her name and address at the back of the receipt. You’ll need this for most insurance purposes anyway.
- Take a screenshot of the ad and save it so you have it as a reference for the transaction.
- Be suspicious of a nearly new phone being sold without packaging. If the seller can’t produce a receipt or even a charger, it could be a stolen phone.
- Don’t accept a phone that’s sealed. If the seller won’t allow you to take the phone out of the box to test it, it could be faulty or even a fake. Almost all mobiles have a cheap clone version so it pays to be safe.
- Is the phone advertised as a dual SIM? It’s definitely a fake. Major manufacturers don’t offer this in their phones.
Above all, don’t let your heart rule your head! An iPhone or similar device advertised as cheaper than the going rate should be treated with suspicion. Don’t let anyone try and force you into making a quick payment just because they say they have someone else interested. If in doubt, let it go.
Have you got any other tips to add? Tell us in the comments below or add to this discussion in our forum.
Recommended places to meet
So, you’ve received lots of responses to an ad you’ve posted on Gumtree. Or you’ve responded to an ad that someone else has posted. All that’s left to do now is to meet up with your buyer or seller.
We’ve gathered a list of convenient places to meet that have been suggested to us by other Gumtree users. The good news is you won’t have to look too far. The best places to meet up are often in your own neighbourhood. These suggestions will also help if you’re going to meet in an area you’re unfamiliar with, if you need to find a halfway meeting point or somewhere around work.
Gumtree users’ top recommended places to meet:
- Shopping centres and coffee shops during opening hours
- Petrol stations
- Busy public car parks
- Wedge Card local shops. Live in London? Choose to meet at any local shop or business that uses Wedge Card. Their network of more than 1,500 shops and cafes provide free and friendly places to meet up. Use their search tool to find one near you.
Have you got any places in your neighbourhood to recommend? If you know of a friendly shop or cafe in your area, we’d love to know. Email us on placestomeet@gumtree.com.
And remember our top tips for safe trading:
- Never send money before seeing the item. It doesn’t matter whether someone asks for an online bank transfer or a direct money transfer like Western Union or MoneyGram. Your answer should always be, “No thanks, I need to see it first.”
- Take a friend with you. You’ll feel safer and more confident to negotiate. If you can’t bring someone with you, at least tell someone where you’re going and whom you’re meeting.
- Don’t bring cash with you. Thinking of buying an expensive item? Make sure you tell the seller that you won’t be bringing any cash with you. You’ll only withdraw cash after you’ve seen the item and are happy to proceed with the deal.
- Don’t feel pressured. There will always be someone else willing to trade on your terms.
Get more online safety tips
-
Latest tweet:
@berryc72 Hi Chris! Please contact our Support Team with regards to problems posting ads. Follow this link: http://t.co/EHsLRGz1 Thanks!
-
Gumtree's lifestream
February 10th
Hi @giuliettatragni why not paste a link to your Gumtree ad on our Twitter page! [uk_gumtree]February 9th
Hi @bexxx_lou Thanks for the suggestion. Feedback like this helps us immensely in improving our site. This something we will look into! [uk_gumtree]February 8th
6 days till Valentines day!* Not feeling romantic? Watch this and have a little laugh instead ;) http://t.co/LrTDXkdN [uk_gumtree]February 7th
Hi @GavinSteele26 Type in 'Apprenticeship' and it will bring back your local results. For example: http://t.co/tTPZLmP1 Good luck searching! [uk_gumtree]
Did you know that it’s National Apprenticeship Week? *We’ve got loads of apprenticeships listed on Gumtree - go have a look :) [uk_gumtree]Powered by Lifestream from iBegin.
Advertisement