Buying from Gumtree via PayPal

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Gumtree

• 

  twocsies on 05/10/2013 - 00:03

  +1

  Gumtree is not set up for buying things from people from another city. I've heard of a lot of scams, usually when the seller posts an ad in your city but claims that they are from another city or are travelling, but want you to wire money or transfer it to a bank account. Paypal does have purchase protection.

  Gumtree itself advises:
  https://help.gumtree.com.au/knowledgebase.php?article=26

  1. When buying or selling, you should meet in-person to see the item and exchange money. If possible take someone with you, or have someone with you at home if a buyer is coming to your home or workplace. If you're answering a home service ad, ask the poster to produce identity and proof of qualification before inviting them into your home.

  2. Never send your item before receiving the money. This includes never mailing a cheque or using payment services like Bidpay, Western Union or Money Gram to pay for items found on Gumtree.

  Paypal does have purchase protection, including: "It also covers you when you make a payment on our website [paypal's website]." However, "Purchase Protection also does not cover items that you purchase in person, or money you send to friends and family."

  I would think that paypal is the safest way to make this purchase if you have to go through with it. However, since Gumtree advises that you should purchase items in person, you might want to confirm with Paypal that purchase protection could still be used. Paypal customer support is https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/helpcenter/helphub/home/. Paypal support will get back to your email within 24 hours.

• 

  Ughhh on 05/10/2013 - 00:10

  Anyone had an experience or something similar ?

  Cereal? Try googling

• 

  scrimshaw on 05/10/2013 - 08:31

  I have sold items to people who bought and paid thru PayPal. The best way to give them peace of mind is to give them a tracking number to prove the item has been shipped.
  Or offer a registered post option.

  As a buyer you should also ask the seller to provide proof that they've sent the item. If you're paranoid that they've sent you a brick in a box, you could also do an unboxing video…

• 

  exc3113nce on 05/10/2013 - 08:46

  Tracking number, but also get them to describe the item so perfectly in the Invoice including reference to an image if possible.

• 

  c64 on 05/10/2013 - 14:39

  .

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  bigticket on 05/10/2013 - 19:47

  I disagree with the comments above.

  As far as Gumtree is concerned, never send money, by any means, paypal/bank tranfer etc.

  You are NOT covered if the guy at the other end is a scammer. Period. Its will be totally out of your hands. Tracking number does not guarantee anything.

  The only way is a in-person inspection of the item and before any exchange of money.
  This rules out everything except local sellers.

  An exception to this if you have a friend/family who live close to the seller who can trust do the deal for you. What I do, when on holidays, check out the local sellers and again do the deal myself.

• 

  Moots on 05/10/2013 - 20:08

  +1

  This topic has been discussed before, but for Mobile Phones. You may get some tips off this thought. Source

  My Opinion:

  Rules of Gumtree:

  • Do not buy interstate on big ticket items (Phones, Laptops, Especially electronics because they are easy items to sell and scam for). Full Stop!
  • When picking up any iPhone make sure you get the IMEI number and check it with the free IMEI Checker this searches the Stolen / Lost database to make sure the phone is not Blocked. If it is, obviously do not buy it.
  • If you can, pick up from a residential house. This means you can go back if you have any problems.
  • Do not buy Brand New Telstra iPhone's. 70% of them are fake planned phones. They call up, order the phone on a plan get it sent to an address in a bodgy name and than after Telstra doesn't get the money, they put a block on the phone.
  • If you can, get them to sign off on a receipt
  • Do not deal with anyone that wants PayPal only. This is clearly a scam people fall for, just because they accept PayPal doesn't mean it's safe. Within the 2-3 days you work out you got scammed, the fake PayPal account they made for the scam and the funds you have sent are already spent on pretty much anything now ie. Bills, eBay Items, Phone Credit etc etc.

  Look for the honest ones and a very good tip. Pop out the SIM TRAY and check the IMEI number on the sim tray matches the IMEI on the phone. If it doesn't, the phone has been repaired.

  Just note, if you use Gumtree to buy technology items the deal is done and usually final as a lot of people use public places for the trade. May want to make note of the number plate they come in. In future if the phones reported stolen / lost. This will help any reports you make.

• 

  buddy88 on 07/10/2013 - 02:33

  About a year ago, I listed my car for sale on Gumtree. I received a few mobile calls from an "Unknown" number.

  He called me and offer to buy my car, but he is from interstate (the car is located in Melbourne, and he claimed that he is from Sydney). He said he will need to organise a courier to pick up a car. Then, he requested me to send a payment to the courier company (as he was overseas) via paypal on his behalf and he will pay me a lump sum plus shipping fees.

  It sounds like a fraud to me:

  1. Firstly, he did not ask too much about the condition of the car. For a $5,000 car with hail damage, he did not even ask for a discount or negotiate a better price.

  2. He sent me a Paypal request but why should I pay out of pocket when I am the seller?

  3. He never give me his mobile number, I can never contact him via phone.

  4. He never ask for a pick up address, how can he organise pick up?

  I contacted paypal to verify the authenticity. It turns out that it was a fraud link, even though it looks 99% similar to the real website.

  Just be very careful when you buy or sell on Gumtree.

  • 

    Moots on 07/10/2013 - 12:02

    It's easy to get lost in fraud links. They just <A HREF> the link ie. (<A HREF="http://fakelink.com">https://www.paypal.com.au</a>

    The https://www.paypal.com.au is just text, and does not go to any link. You think your clicking PayPal, but your being redirected.

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  BuyoTheCat on 07/10/2013 - 11:35

  Personally I would not buy from interstates. I will only do face to face transaction. That way, I can give the buyer the chance to check the items over to their satisfaction.

  I have sold interstates before on gumtree. They contacted me wanting me to send it. I told them I will only take bank transfer and I pointed out the risk they were taking if this was a scam, which of course I am not!

  $500 into my bank account and off I went to post the item. Either people are too trusting or they are not sure of the risk involved.

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  msmhw on 07/10/2013 - 22:29

  Thanks guys for you advises, I did not do the deal. It was most likely a scam. Tried to email him back and told him I will pay for I when I get home please don't sell it to anybody, he agreed, after couple of hours I texted him from different number if the camera still available and I would like to come and see it. He said still available

  So did not want to take the chances to save $70, will wait for a good deal or will pay the extra $70

  Again thanks for your advises, they are really helpful

  • 

    Ughhh on 07/10/2013 - 22:48

    Just because he didnt hold the item for you when you told him to doesnt mean its a scam. When I'm selling stuff, it is always available till I get the cash in hand- first in first served. In sellers point of view, how does he know you're a genuine buyer? Why should the seller waste his time and brush off potential buyers just for you?
    There's no contract, he can sell the item to who ever he wants and when he wants.

    Im not saying I'm for pay via paypal/bank transfer etc. btw.