Bought Item on Facebook Marketplace, Doesn't Work - What to Do?

ltvo3 on 28/04/2017 - 22:22
Last edited 29/04/2017 - 09:16 by 2 other users

Hi, last weekend I came to Werribee which is 45 mins away from my house to pick up the used Ram sticks for my laptop sold by a guy named Mod: Removed Personal Information on Facebook Marketplace.

He claimed that the Ram still worked and because, he needed money to upgrade to new one. Turned out he sold me the dead (not working) one.

I messaged him to complain after buying, he said he would meet up and refunded the money back to me. In the end, he did not show up, as well as blocked my Facebook. I had screenshot all our chat conversation.

I know my chance to get the money is zero, but I just want to ask if there is anyway to report his dodgy behaviour to authorities or to other future buyers as I do not want anyone get tricked by him like me.

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  • captobvious on 28/04/2017 - 23:12
    +1

    Did you go to his house or met him in the park?

    • supnigs super skids on 28/04/2017 - 23:46

      If you met him at the park did you also pay in cash?

    • ltvo3 on 29/04/2017 - 08:18

      I met him at Werribee shopping carpark as his request.

      • captobvious on 29/04/2017 - 10:41
        +13

        Werribee is his local shop. Stake out, aca confrontation.

  • Diji1 on 28/04/2017 - 23:29
    +2

    You could attempt a police report by calling the police non-emergency hotline for your state.

      • KitchenSink on 29/04/2017 - 01:36
        +22

        000 is for emergencies. Don't waste their time.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2017 - 00:05
    +3

    authorities or to other future buyers

    both wont care
    accept your loss and move on

  • edwardsajl on 29/04/2017 - 00:05

    buyer beware. your comrades did not build the ram properly.

  • Mrbean007 on 29/04/2017 - 00:17
    +8

    Should of installed it on the spot and tried It before paying

  • garetz on 29/04/2017 - 00:21
    +17

    That's a risk you take when dealing with private sales and paying cash.

    • ltvo3 on 29/04/2017 - 09:06

      It is a bit crazy but before meeting him, I talked to myself "how about asking to pay him through Paypal instead" . But I did not do it in the end.

  • Ughhh on 29/04/2017 - 00:30
    +11

    Private sales are always buyer beware. Nothing authorities can do, nor should they waste their resources on something so trivial. Buyers should always to their own research, be aware of the risk and take measures to protect themselves- all before the transactions happens, not after.

    One thing you could do is make him famous in the FB market place. If you had my address, I would be scared of you sending bikies or throwing eggs at my house/car, you could be a crazy person!

  • holdenmg on 29/04/2017 - 00:33
    -2

    google How do I report someone in marketplace?

  • KitchenSink on 29/04/2017 - 01:39
    +3

    Maybe you can tweet or share on FB about it and hope it goes viral to raise awareness of dodgy sellers on the FB marketplace in general. But don't bother with authorities, they won't do anything unless its a repeat offender.

    • tassieeagle on 29/04/2017 - 07:42
      +7

      How would they know it's a repeat offender if no one ever reports him?

  • Nugs on 29/04/2017 - 07:50
    +8

    must have been way cheap to drive 45 minutes

    • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2017 - 08:00
      +1

      Exactly sandp

      Sounds a little dodgy all around this "story"

    • ltvo3 on 29/04/2017 - 09:10

      I did a lot of research before buying. The one I bought from him was $35 for a pair 2*4GB which are about $70-$80 or more for a brand new or minimum $50 for used. To some people, it does not worth to spend time and money to travel like that, and I was like it was so cheap, and ram could not be that easy to be broken.

      • SaberX on 01/05/2017 - 01:45

        it's a piece of silicone… harder to keep it not broken if you ask me.

        • ltvo3 on 01/05/2017 - 06:48

          Silicone? I thought it was made of some sorts of metal?

      • abb on 01/05/2017 - 08:18
        +2

        RAM chips are fragile. You can destroy them by simply touching them carelessly…

        • smpantsonfire on 01/05/2017 - 09:52
          +3

          Maybe I've been lucky, but I've man handled all my ram and never broken a stick in 20 years

        • abb on 01/05/2017 - 10:19
          +2

          @smpantsonfire: Some luck, some improvements in design. Usually it's OK to touch them.

          But you know how sometimes you get a static electricity zap from walking on carpet & touching a doorknob (or getting out of your car)? If that goes through the RAM it will be toast. A smaller static discharge might degrade the performance of something.

          I prefer to be cautious than risk having random unexplained crashes. e.g. hold by the edge, keep computer earthed while working on it.

      • Euphemistic on 01/05/2017 - 09:30
        +1

        You drove 45min to save $15? That is nuts, it would have cost that in car running costs.

        You'd be better to not buy a few coffees/burgers/chocolates for a few days and save the extra to buy new.

        • ltvo3 on 01/05/2017 - 09:46

          Good advice. I need to be back on my diet :D

        • JimmyF on 01/05/2017 - 09:56
          +2

          more like 90mins, as he said it was 45mins AWAY…. so be another 45mins back ;)

  • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2017 - 07:53
    +8

    Police won't do anything
    Second hand goods are caveot emptor - let the buyer beware
    Stupid advice wasting their time
    How do you know he sold you dodgy ram, perhaps static killed it, perhaps some other force killed it
    How does the seller know you swapped it and giving him back dead stuff

    As always with a second hand non PayPal cash transaction, meet the seller, bring your item and test the product there and then, it will prove the below

    1. Ram is suitable and works
    2. No honesty issues
    3. You as a buyer have tested it and are happy

    I've had my fair share of shit buyers in the last year, most notably people who buy something swap components and then try to return it

    I mark everything with a UV pen in a few hidden areas and it usually sorts out dishonest buyer behaviour

    It sucks but at the end of the day if it's computer related I make the effort to bring my hardware, install and test with the seller to ensure both of us are happy

    Obviously it's not easy in many cases but it saves you been burnt

    Be warned you displaying his personal information on here can land you in hot water, you don't know the facts of the ram and he may not of tested it for such time, if it was working then you should have tested it ON SITE

    • ltvo3 on 29/04/2017 - 08:54

      Appreciated your time to compose a lengthy reply for me, I read and understand all you points :). However, I want to clarify my points too.

      Firstly, I admit it is my fault for not bringing the device and testing it on site.

      Secondly, if static killed the ram, it was more likely to come from him at the beginning. I am not sure how he treated the ram at his home. But when he gave to me, he literally hold the ram with his bare hand, did not give me anything to carry. I had asked my partner when we got back to our car if using barehand could cause any damage to the ram. When getting home, I googled the ram replacing procedures before I did and took it very seriously. I even called Apple customer support clarify about ram compatibility, and asked if there is any solution before messaging back to the guy.

      Third, as an part-time online seller and full-time student, I am so educated to understand what is right and what is wrong to. The only reason I travelled all the way from my place Bundoora to Werribee (45 minutes) was because I found the ram price he offered very cheap ($35 for a 8GB ram which is around $80 for the new one at stores) . I do not know I have to travelled all the way to swapped it and giving him back dead stuff. It is time and fuel wasting. With all that effort, I could have gone to the store and grab a new pair without wasting my money.

      Lastly, during our conversation from the beginning to the point that he said he would meet me at the plaza to get back his ram and refund my money in the afternoon last Tuesday, I was very carefully in choosing language to talk to him. so definitely no accusations or threats as the other comment said (Can upload screenshot if needed). I had no idea why he did not show up on the day like he promised or at least contacted me back or something but blocked my Facebook.

      At the end of the day, there are still good buyers and sellers, and I won't expect to receive to refund from him or anything. All I want to do is sharing my experience for other OP here.

      • abb on 01/05/2017 - 08:23
        +1

        But when he gave to me, he literally hold the ram with his bare hand, did not give me anything to carry.

        For future reference, this is bad enough that you should have walked away from the sale.

        RAM modules should always be kept inside anti-static packaging, and only handled by holding the sides (not the connector side).

  • whooah1979 on 29/04/2017 - 07:56
    +1

    Ram sticks

    Did you guys follow basic esd procedures?

    • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2017 - 08:00
      +2

      Pretty much how I feel about this whole thing too
      The ram sticks probably did work when he removed them months or even years ago, over time static, heat and other factors kill it, how do we know the ops laptop didn't kill the sticks with a spike

      Putting the pitchfork into some innocent party
      I bet he blocked the OP due to the nature of the discussion and accusations and threats

      I would do the same thing to the OP in this case as well if he was abusive towards me .

      At the end of the day it's second hand ram stick(s)
      Too many factors, in future buy it new, it's cheap enough

      • ltvo3 on 29/04/2017 - 08:56
        -3

        Appreciated your time to compose a lengthy reply for me, I read and understand all you points :). However, I want to clarify my points too.

        Firstly, I admit it is my fault for not bringing the device and testing it on site.

        Secondly, if static killed the ram, it was more likely to come from him at the beginning. I am not sure how he treated the ram at his home. But when he gave to me, he literally hold the ram with his bare hand, did not give me anything to carry. I had asked my partner when we got back to our car if using barehand could cause any damage to the ram. When getting home, I googled the ram replacing procedures before I did and took it very seriously. I even called Apple customer support clarify about ram compatibility, and asked if there is any solution before messaging back to the guy.

        Third, as an part-time online seller and full-time student, I am so educated to understand what is right and what is wrong to. The only reason I travelled all the way from my place Bundoora to Werribee (45 minutes) was because I found the ram price he offered very cheap ($35 for a 8GB ram which is around $80 for the new one at stores) . I do not know I have to travelled all the way to swapped it and giving him back dead stuff. It is time and fuel wasting. With all that effort, I could have gone to the store and grab a new pair without wasting my money.

        Lastly, during our conversation from the beginning to the point that he said he would meet me at the plaza to get back his ram and refund my money in the afternoon last Tuesday, I was very carefully in choosing language to talk to him. so definitely no accusations or threats as you said (Can upload screenshot if needed). I had no idea why he did not show up on the day like he promised or at least contacted me back or something but blocked my Facebook.

        At the end of the day, there are still good buyers and sellers, I won't expect to receive to refund from him or anything. I am good now and did order brand new replacement. All I want to do is sharing my experience for other OP here.

  • Baysew on 29/04/2017 - 08:41

    How much did you pay?

    • ltvo3 on 29/04/2017 - 09:00

      $35 for a pair 2*4GB which are about $70-$80 or more for a brand new or minimum $50 for used. I know it was too good to be true and I was so careless for not testing onsite but put too much trust on him.

      • captobvious on 29/04/2017 - 10:38
        +5

        $35. You've gotten more that $35 worth of expertise from fellow ozbargainers on your post. Money well spent. Time to move on.

  • Cave Fire on 29/04/2017 - 09:57
    +1

    What's the exact specifications of the ram? eg, is it pc3 8500 1066 ram? Might be able to show you an ebay seller that sells at a good price, so you at least break even.

      • ltvo3 on 29/04/2017 - 10:46

        Yes, that is my same sh*t. Some nice sellers here pm me with very good offers for new ram after that post, but I did not take it, and accepted the deal on Facebook. Want to take this opportunity to to say sorry to them too :) Next time I will trust OP sellers more :)

  • supersabroso on 29/04/2017 - 10:48
    +3

    Sorry mate, that's an amateur mistake. You always need to check that the RAM works before forking out the cash. Next time buy a dash cam and do the transaction in front of your car. If they bail, then you just saved yourself a ton of trouble.

    • Ughhh on 29/04/2017 - 11:28
      +2

      Even if you got the whole transaction on dash cam, I doubt it means any thing other than op gave him money, seller gave him product and both left happy. It doesn't prove the ram was faulty. There is no warranty or consumer guaranty in private sales. Even if the seller really did sell op a faulty ram, op still needs proof to advance legally.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/04/2017 - 13:08
        +3

        Police aren't going to care
        It's a private sale
        There is NO buyer protection

        • Ughhh on 29/04/2017 - 13:36

          Did you reply to wrong person? I didn't say there was??

          By advancing legally, I mean small claims court…at $35, it's not even worth it. Obviously cops aren't going to do anything.

  • RedRocket21 on 30/04/2017 - 14:04
    +2

    could find his parents or family friends and u can be creative

    • ltvo3 on 30/04/2017 - 20:10

      Thought of it too. but I've moved on. Eventually, what goes around comes around.

  • Godric on 30/04/2017 - 18:16

    That's the risk of buying off those sort of market places…

  • girlshaped on 30/04/2017 - 18:23
    +1

    I have some RAM I no longer want or need for my Mac. I haven't bothered selling it because I'm lazy, I wouldn't get much, and I figured it isn't worth the hassle. I also live Northside. Unlikely to be the same RAM, but on the off chance it is you can have it. What RAM are you trying to buy?

    • ltvo3 on 30/04/2017 - 20:12

      it is is DDR3 1600MHz SODIMM 204 pin.

  • gimli on 30/04/2017 - 18:26
    +2

    bikies

  • Plug on 30/04/2017 - 18:30
    +1

    Seems to me your cost saving buying secondhand RAM over new RAM was fairly minimal given the margin for error. Lesson learned I think.

  • G5 on 30/04/2017 - 20:29
    +6

    A lot of memory manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on RAM. Try finding out whether the RAM you bought has a manufacturer warranty, and contact them directly.

    • ltvo3 on 30/04/2017 - 20:44

      Really appreciated your contribution. I just browsed SK Hynix company website to which I bought the ram.

      "SK hynix has made commitments on RMA and Warranty with our OEMs and authorized distributors to whom we have offered return privileges.
      Therefore, RMA/Warranty issues are and should be assisted by your place of purchase.
      Please contact your place of purchase for services regarding RMA or Warranty."

      I do not think they will help me though, but thank you very much. :)

      • noise36 on 30/04/2017 - 22:26
        +2

        Just contact them and ask for RMA/warranty.

        • ltvo3 on 30/04/2017 - 22:48

          Sure, I'll do it tomorrow. :)

  • coolsteps on 01/05/2017 - 00:42

    check the specs of the ram stick maybe mhz isnt compatible?

    • ltvo3 on 01/05/2017 - 07:00

      I checked the ram specs on google before buying, and as I answered to one of those comments above, Apple customer care also confirmed that the ram which I bought from that guy was totally compatible with my macbook pro.

  • Marija on 28/12/2018 - 01:29

    hi

    it happened to me the other day..christmas eve. it was to be my daughters gift. a guy sold me a laptop ..the battery not charging. i msged him…same thing..he remopved the ad so i couldnt report. now blocked me. its not goopd enough..no protection for buyers. im not using this site again. 200 dollars wasted.

    • whooah1979 on 28/12/2018 - 01:48

      Did you test the item before paying for it?

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