Ordering off vendor e-mail

I'm getting ready to make my first DNM buy ever on Pandora so I'm learning all I can to keep safe and not get scammed but I need some advice.

I found the vendor I want to use after lots of forum research. He operates on multiple markets and has perfect reviews and relative high feedback volume on all accounts. PGP keys match. The vendor requires FE, so that brings me to my question.. in a second

He quoted a price in his profile 25 dollars lower than the buy price on Pandora. I asked why (very new to this) and he explained that's Pandora's commission and offered to let me buy "off my email" for no commission. The guy looks reputable but I'm new to the scene so this scares me just a little and I don't know if it should.

Would an email transaction expose me to any additional risk that FE'ing didn't already do? Is this sort of thing very uncommon? I always read never FE but it looks like it's becoming the standard from what I see.

I'd like to save a bit of coin if it's all the same but not at the cost of extra risk.


Comments


[4 Points] dongsy-normus:

It doesn't expose you to any extra risk of having your identity found out. The seller is getting all the same info. Since you'd FE anyways, the only difference is you're saving money and you cannot leave feedback for the seller.


[2 Points] markthefart:

That sounds sketchy to me.. I'd look for another vendor.


[2 Points] sohhlz:

Seems like FE would be the same risk as buying it through email as far as losing your money. Hopefully he wants the business, though. and won't rip you off.

If you do decide to go via email, don't use your normal email address. You don't want that to be linked to a vendor even if you are using PGP and they can't read your messages. They can still see that you communicated with a person of interest and put you on a list. Set up a free account at urssmail.org or safe-mail.net and create your PGP key using that email address. Don't use a user name that has anything to do with you personally. Use the email only through Tor.

The hidden site for urssmail.org is:

http://f3ljvgyyujmnfhvi.onion/

Best to always use that link, since you can't accidentally use it from the clearnet.


[2 Points] swainsmate:

If you buy "off market" you essentially are feing. Unless the vendor sends first which is highly unlikely.

I would buy through Pandora. Even if you have to Fe.. that way you have the "negative feedback" leverage. Off market the vendor has no direct repercussions aside from you leaving a bad review which potential buyers may or may not see.

Vendors want to avoid bad marketplace feedback as 99 perfect of buyers will at some point view the feedback. And it takes is one bad apple to spoil the bunch.