Co-Buying safety tips

Safety Tips for meeting potential co-buyers.

Co-BuyWithMe.com was set up as an easy and convenient method to meet like-minded co-buyers. But once you have made contact a couple of times you will want to meet up to get the ball rolling, so here's a few safety points for you.

You never have to give any personal details (such as your real email address, telephone number or home address) to anyone unless you wish to do so and all correspondence can be done via our anonymous messaging facility.

Follow our simple tips to find your co-buyer - safely!

Make use of the anonymous email system – do not give out personal details straightaway.

Do not put personal details in your profile or initial messages such as phone number, email address, home address or place of work. You can contact a member using the anonymous email system and gradually find out more about your possible co-buyer.

If after emailing each other you think you have a match and want to speak on the phone it is better to use a mobile phone number that you can easily change or prevent your number appearing on their caller-ID.

Don’t lie in your profile or messages – if you’re serious about finding a co-buyer, what’s the point? Be yourself!

Be careful if you think a member is lying to you. Look out for the signs: They won’t answer reasonable questions directly. They give inconsistent information about their age, profession, location and so on. If you feel uncomfortable about a member, stop contacting them and contact us! We are more than happy to contact people to double check their credentials. Always use your common sense and be responsible for your conduct.

Meeting offline

When you get to the point of meeting face-to-face follow our simple tips for a safe experience:

- Meet in a public place - during socialable hours.

- Never arrange for your co-buyer to meet or pick you up from your home
  (in fact you never need tell your address - ever).

- Never allow your co-buying partner to arrange your travel
  or accommodation.

- Always have a friend or family member to call on if you need help.

- Always let them know where you are going and what time you’ll be back.
- Call them to let them know things are OK and leave details of the person
  you are going to meet.

- Consider bringing a friend or another co-buyer you have already
  agreed to co-buy with, it is safer in numbers.

- Don’t accept a lift home at this stage.

- Always have a contingency plan for the unexpected so you can get away
  quickly or have someone close by you can call.

- Take a mobile phone with you – that works! This means fully charged
  and enough credit to make calls.

- It can take time to get to know someone properly, if they are
  genuinely interested in co-buying they won't mind you being cautious.

- Always use your common sense, keep in control and don’t be forced
  into doing something you wouldn’t normally do.

Finally

Trust your instincts! If you feel uncomfortable about someone - stop. There are plenty more co-buyers swimming in the sea. If you feel that someone is abusing the service contact us now!

By following the above guidelines you should be on your way to a safe, co-buying experience!