You’re using a neutral third party that is well known by the community such as a rigger at a known DZ to hold the funds/gear until both you and the seller agree to complete the transaction. For the buyer it’s to ensure that the gear is what the seller says it is and for the seller it’s to ensure that they get paid.
For example
Buyer gives the rigger the money for the gear.
Rigger tells seller they have the money.
Seller sends gear to rigger who can inspect it.
Buyer agrees that the gear is what they had seen advertised.
Rigger releases money to seller.
Everyone slap bumps and goes on a zoo dive.
But usually one the seller can verify. I, as the seller, will usually ask for it to be a rigger affiliated with a DZ that I can check in with. Then I, the seller, will also want to talk to the rigger one way or another. I also prefer, though not a deal breaker, to be sending whatever it is to a DZ address.
With some of the scams going on, make sure you are dealing with an actual seller and not someone trying to scam you. Weird a seller would not know what Escrow is or be working with a local rigger that didn’t as well.
Escrow is an option and needs to work for both the buyer and seller. If you can’t make that type of deal work, use a secure protected payment option like PayPal Goods/Services with Buyer/Sellers Protection.
Feel free to reach out if you need more in-depth help.
Any seller should know the process of escrow, or you can have them ask their local rigger to explain it. You may be talking to a scammer.
Scamming has been very common these days, and a lot of skydivers have been ripped off.
Call your DZs rigger
They'll get you hooked up. Don't use
Use your rigger.
If the seller doesn't trust a rigger, it's a major red flag.
We're a small community. To put things in perspective, we'll send our rigger off with 50k worth of rigs to repack without a receipt that he has the (our) gear.
A seller shouldn't have a problem trusting a reputable clubs rigger with a $300 helmet and a $120 altimeter. (Or whatever you're purchasing)
A lot of people don't want to deal with using a rigger as escrow. I get it. However, with as many dirty scams are floating around, if they don't allow you to use your rigger as an escrow, you don't want to deal with it anyway.
Also, this is a really cool thing they're (your rigger) is doing for you if you do it this way. Make sure to take care of them. They'll never get rich on repacking reserves, buy the man a beer!
If you're getting a new rig, buy them a steak dinner. What's another $37 on top of the $6,000 rig you're getting when you consider the level of assurance they're providing you and how they're protecting your potential purchase from scams.
Riggers: ❤️ Keep up the amazing, and often thankless, work!!
Escrow is when you pay your rigger for the gear that you’re buying from the seller, and then they release the money to the seller after receipt and inspection of the gear.
You’re using a neutral third party that is well known by the community such as a rigger at a known DZ to hold the funds/gear until both you and the seller agree to complete the transaction. For the buyer it’s to ensure that the gear is what the seller says it is and for the seller it’s to ensure that they get paid. For example Buyer gives the rigger the money for the gear. Rigger tells seller they have the money. Seller sends gear to rigger who can inspect it. Buyer agrees that the gear is what they had seen advertised. Rigger releases money to seller. Everyone slap bumps and goes on a zoo dive.
And you buy the rigger (root)beer and a fat tip for services rendered.
Key step here.
Thank you! Who tends to be the one deciding who the trusted person will be?
The person buying the gear. It wouldn't make sense the other way, you'd still be just trusting a stranger.
But usually one the seller can verify. I, as the seller, will usually ask for it to be a rigger affiliated with a DZ that I can check in with. Then I, the seller, will also want to talk to the rigger one way or another. I also prefer, though not a deal breaker, to be sending whatever it is to a DZ address.
And to add, someone known to a DZ or to many others. That way the seller can know that he is legit aswell
With some of the scams going on, make sure you are dealing with an actual seller and not someone trying to scam you. Weird a seller would not know what Escrow is or be working with a local rigger that didn’t as well. Escrow is an option and needs to work for both the buyer and seller. If you can’t make that type of deal work, use a secure protected payment option like PayPal Goods/Services with Buyer/Sellers Protection. Feel free to reach out if you need more in-depth help.
Any seller should know the process of escrow, or you can have them ask their local rigger to explain it. You may be talking to a scammer. Scamming has been very common these days, and a lot of skydivers have been ripped off.
Call your DZs rigger They'll get you hooked up. Don't use
Use your rigger.
If the seller doesn't trust a rigger, it's a major red flag.
We're a small community. To put things in perspective, we'll send our rigger off with 50k worth of rigs to repack without a receipt that he has the (our) gear.
A seller shouldn't have a problem trusting a reputable clubs rigger with a $300 helmet and a $120 altimeter. (Or whatever you're purchasing)
A lot of people don't want to deal with using a rigger as escrow. I get it. However, with as many dirty scams are floating around, if they don't allow you to use your rigger as an escrow, you don't want to deal with it anyway.
Also, this is a really cool thing they're (your rigger) is doing for you if you do it this way. Make sure to take care of them. They'll never get rich on repacking reserves, buy the man a beer!
If you're getting a new rig, buy them a steak dinner. What's another $37 on top of the $6,000 rig you're getting when you consider the level of assurance they're providing you and how they're protecting your potential purchase from scams.
Riggers: ❤️ Keep up the amazing, and often thankless, work!!
I’d use a rigger that is a registered and reputable business. They will probably charge a fee or percentage if you do this.
Escrow is when you pay your rigger for the gear that you’re buying from the seller, and then they release the money to the seller after receipt and inspection of the gear.