Hi all
I'm planning to sell a second-hand keyboard on the Buy/Sell/Swap PC Parts Facebook page. If I had to ship it to the buyer, what should I do to avoid being scammed?
Thanks
Winston
Steps to Avoid Getting Scammed Selling Second Hand Goods?
LWinstonWithAY on 24/04/2018 - 00:46
Comments
Can you pls elaborate on why not to do it at home or work? Is it because they might come back to burgle you? And somewhere with lots of people, I presume in case they run off with your stuff?
That's one possibility. There's also the possibility that they might rock up at your house one week later claiming the item they purchased isn't working, which can be a hassle to deal with.
Granted, I have completed transactions at my house before, but it was for large items such as furniture and white goods.
I personally wouldn't want a random guy on Gumtree knowing my home address. I've sold some things but any transaction over a few hundred bucks, I insisted they do it in a bank lobby with security, CCTV, and so I can immediately deposit.
I like this idea and will be looking out for gumtree transactions every time I visit a bank branch from now on.
The only way to avoid being scammed 100% of the time is cash on pickup only. Otherwise there is always a risk of losing your item or money.
The safest to ship is a bank deposit, wait for clearance then you can post the item. Make sure its fully insured and signature required.
Just don't ship it then, only cash in hand pick up if you're paranoid about it.
It's been a while since I've sold any PC parts, but when I did they were quite easy to sell. So if someone isn't willing to pick it up, then just move onto the next
By not selling second hand goods
cash in hand is the way to go.
if you must post then:
receiving payment-
paypal friends and family
bank depositalways check your own bank account or paypal to check that the funds have landed.
don't be like the many morons (no easier way to say it) that accept the "buyers" word or a "screen shot" of payment and immediately post it - but then -OMG- find there are no funds in their account.
posting-
signature on receiptI am in the opposite position here.. I paid eagerly for a really great deal on a great item and the seller hasn't posted yet coming up with all sorts of excuses like first she said she was sick and now the bank account is the wrong one so now I have to request a trace and recall and wait 6 weeks for the bank to get back my money.. it is a headache.
First scammer for me I think unless she really is in hospital and hasn't been able to get around to delivering it which is probable.
keyboard
what model is it?
Aorus Thunder K3
What keyboard is it
Not sure but I think PayPal is easier than bank transfers or direct deposits.
Going through a trace and recall request now for a failed to receive item from gumtree totalling more than $300 AUD.
Basically I feel like I got scammed or the seller is taking their time so I asked my bank to retrieve the funds.
Unfortunately it takes about 6 weeks and the first one failed and was denied after like 2.5 weeks so had to put in a new one.
Should have bailed out after the seller didn't want to use PayPal but I got greedy.
The problem with Paypal is that scammers might intentionally file a claim with Paypal later claiming the item is broken/they did not receive the item etc to get the money back. I avoid Paypal when selling unless I absolutely have to use it (e.g. eBay).
Here's a recent example
Oh damn today I learnt. So is there any other safe secure easy to do second hand business. Pay ID?
@Baysew: Dammit I fell for that and down into the rabbit hole. Before I knew what was happening I could see everything John Malkovich was seeing.
Cash in hand/cleared funds in the bank account via direct credit are the only foolproof ways.
Make sure you sell them to someone on a oily refinery!
You can get scammed cash on pickup too - they ask to hold the item to look at it then take off running.
I've seen similar on local FB groups. People turned up at sellers house and started loading items into their ute then refused to pay saying husband/wife said it was free. Think seller had security camera so the buyers backed down.
If you want to be absolutely sure, just do cash only local pick ups. Make sure pick up is not organised at your home or work. Do it somewhere with a lot of people like a shopping centre.
If you still want to consider shipping, make sure the payment has cleared your bank account before posting the item.