Safety Tips | Hobby Co

Meeting in Person

Meet in well-lit, public places like coffee shops, shopping centers, or police station parking lots. Avoid private residences or isolated locations.

Consider bringing a friend or family member, especially for high-value transactions. Let someone know where you're going and when you'll return.

Confirm you're meeting the correct person. Check their Hobby Co profile and ask for identification if needed.

If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and leave. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Inspect before paying: Always examine the item carefully before completing payment. Check for any defects, damage, or issues not mentioned in the listing.
Compare to listing: Verify the item matches the description and photos in the listing. If it doesn't match, don't complete the transaction.
Ask questions: Don't hesitate to ask the seller questions about the item's condition, history, or care requirements.
For live items: Check that animals or plants are healthy and active. Look for signs of disease or stress.

Check ratings and reviews: Review the seller's profile, ratings, and feedback from other buyers. Look for patterns in reviews.
Review communication: Pay attention to how the seller communicates. Professional, responsive sellers are generally more trustworthy.
Check account age: New accounts with no reviews may be legitimate, but exercise extra caution.
Look for verified badges: When seller verification is implemented, look for verified seller badges.

Use traceable methods: Prefer e-transfer, PayPal, or other traceable payment methods over cash when possible.
Avoid prepayment scams: Be wary of sellers who demand full payment before you've seen the item, especially for high-value transactions.
Watch for red flags: Extremely low prices, pressure to act quickly, or requests to move communication off-platform are warning signs.
Keep records: Save screenshots of listings, messages, and payment confirmations.

Stay calm: Don't panic. Most issues can be resolved.
Document everything: Take photos, save messages, and keep records of the transaction.
Contact the other party: Try to resolve the issue directly first.
Report the issue: If you can't resolve it, report through our reporting system.
Contact support: For urgent issues, contact our support team.
Legal action: For serious fraud or theft, consider contacting local law enforcement.

If you encounter suspicious listings, users, or behavior, report it immediately. We review all reports and take appropriate action.