Worried about a Scam/Does a Premier Member mean they can be trusted?

[flowerchild13]

Hello,

So I am looking into a transaction with a company I found on Alibaba.com an international trading website. The product they offer is a rare collectable toy that has been discontinued. They sell it through wholesale. I was given the company's certificate and an image of the passport of the CEO and want to buy this item. While the company checks out, the e-mail for their paypal account is different than the company e-mail. They are listed as a "Premier Member" and I don't know if that means they can be trusted. They also said they cannot ship the item for 15 days when payment is made available. isn't payment instant? and even if they don't have access to it, aren't they required to ship upon payment confirmation and provide a tracking number to have the money released? I really want this item, but I have been scammed before through Western Union with a different vendor. It inspires more confidence that they use paypal, but some of the things don't add up. Does this sound like a scam? Do I have enough security of a refund to go through with it? Thanks, I'd love to know what you all think before I do anything.

[dkid2000]

"They are listed as a "Premier Member" and I don't know if that means they can be trusted."

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 It doesn't.

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"They also said they cannot ship the item for 15 days when payment is made available."

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 That is a red flag.

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 "I really want this item, but I have been scammed before through Western Union with a different vendor."

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Never ever ever ever ever pay by western union for something purchased on the internet.

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"Does this sound like a scam?"

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On the limited information provided, Maybe.

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The best way to protect yourself if you really want the item would be to ONLY use a Credit Card funded paypal payment.