Purchase from Gumtree

Luminary on 04/04/2013 - 14:03

I'm looking to purchase a phone off Gumtree at an almost too good to be true price. They have (what I hope/assume) is their full address on the ad. I've contacted them and they have stated they just want to get rid of the phone because they got given an iPhone 5 at work. They told me the phone was originally purchased from Harvey Norman but they're not sure if they can get the receipt. Obviously I'm worried that the phone is a counterfeit so I was wondering if anyone has had experience purchasing a counterfeit on Gumtree and whether or not you managed to get your money back? I just read this article yesterday http://www.news.com.au/money/money-matters/bought-fakes-onli… so I'm a little tempted to go through with the purchase. Do you think it'd be better to pay via PayPal or CBA bank transfer? And if I get the phone sent through registered post, would that allow me to track the sender? Would love some advice! Cheers

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Comments

  • c64 on 04/04/2013 - 14:10
    +2

    pickup only after you've inspected/tested. if you transfer money or get it posted you might get scammed. also find out the imei and check that it is not blocked

    • Luminary on 04/04/2013 - 14:24

      Unfortunately it's in another state. =[

      • berger on 04/04/2013 - 14:34
        +3

        not worth the risk if another state. the only advantage ebay has over gumtree, be it the same company

        • urzu on 04/04/2013 - 19:10
          +4

          Never buy anything or sell to anyone interstate with Gumtree. Use eBay if you want to do so: the old rule still applies. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

  • kati on 04/04/2013 - 14:19
    +9

    Do you think it'd be better to pay via PayPal or CBA bank transfer?

    Definitely don't direct deposit. It is generally harder to get your money back if it is indeed a scam.
    eg. http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1814110

    To be honest you sound a little naive. You know the price is too good to be true, yet you still want to go ahead with it?

    Here are some other whirlpool threads that may be of interest.
    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum/?action=threads_search&…

    • Luminary on 04/04/2013 - 14:24

      I know. :( I get tempted easily. It's only because I've seen my friends sell phones at pretty good prices just because they wanted to get rid of it. Maybe I'll see if the seller can provide a proof of purchase first. Thanks for the links.

      • kati on 04/04/2013 - 14:26
        +4

        No worries. Gumtree + scam turns up a lot on whirlpool, sadly!

        That said, I have bought things from Gumtree before, but I have ALWAYS turned up in person first and checked it out thoroughly. I wouldn't ever just hand over money without seeing it in person.

  • zelda707 on 04/04/2013 - 14:26

    do you have a link to the page?

  • Luminary on 04/04/2013 - 14:33

    http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ceduna/mobile-phones/samsung-… I know, it's too good to be true.

    • Speckled Jim on 04/04/2013 - 14:45

      Street-viewed the address?
      Neat fibro house, virtually a waterfront block.
      The nice end of Ceduna perhaps.

  • CyberMurning on 04/04/2013 - 14:44

    if have done few, some ends up well (buyer wants paypal and need few days to move the fund i think they afraid i will cheat and ask money from paypal), obviously seller was more afraid than me LOL
    other time, got bitten, iphone never got delivered but sorted it out with paypal got refund ed very quick.

    from now i only do local deals on gumtree.

  • CyberMurning on 04/04/2013 - 14:49
    +7

    hey OP
    you should thank me.
    http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-ceduna-112922…

    the house is on sale so im 90% sure this is scam
    you can contact the real estate agent to ask if someone live in the property and contact number

    • Luminary on 04/04/2013 - 14:51

      Oh wow.. LOL. Thanks. T-T I'll just wait for Kogan prices to drop a little more then.

      • CyberMurning on 04/04/2013 - 14:56

        go and contact the realestate agent and share with us back here.
        and then report to gumtree :)

        • Luminary on 04/04/2013 - 15:13

          Emailed. Let's see how this plays out. Haha.

        • Luminary on 05/04/2013 - 15:07
          +8

          "I have made contact with the residents of this property and they have confirmed that they are not selling a phone. Could you please report them to Gumtree."

        • CyberMurning on 05/04/2013 - 15:34

          haha..
          once, a seller put address of a small motel out of nowhere, i googled the phone number and called. same story, scam

    • t_c on 04/04/2013 - 15:10
      +2

      still furniture in the house so its hardly conclusive

      just noticed, no contact phone number, so its definately fake.

      • CyberMurning on 04/04/2013 - 15:18

        not necessary, sometimes you dont want ppl call you to ask the price down 50% ie time waster.

  • DealzEddy123 on 04/04/2013 - 16:37
    +10

    IMO Gumtree should only be used if you can pickup and pay in cash. no exceptions.

  • strangeloops66 on 04/04/2013 - 16:53
    +3

    Listed 1st April…just sayin'

  • webbj on 04/04/2013 - 18:26
    +3

    Contact them from another email/mobile and pretend you are in the same state/area.

    Suggest you meet somewhere to inspect the merchandise. If they are happy with this, then at very least the phone is real (perhaps stolen though!). If they don't like the idea of meeting, then its 100% scam.

  • Moots on 04/04/2013 - 19:01
    +17

    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.

    • Luminary on 04/04/2013 - 20:05

      Great advice. I'll keep this in mind for next time. Thanks. :)

    • phamid on 05/04/2013 - 21:55
      +1

      FYI, from my time at Apple, an 8K reference on the serial number referred to a repaired phone. No card popping necessary ;)

  • CyberMurning on 04/04/2013 - 19:22

    maybe all the advises here are more for the buyer, but if you a seller and someone not local want to buy, using paypal, why not - of course assume seller is honest person.

    • Ughhh on 04/04/2013 - 19:45
      +1

      But isnt it possible for buyers to do chargeback or open some kinda of dispute if paid via paypal?

      • CyberMurning on 04/04/2013 - 19:50

        ask for higher shipping cost and use it to ship via registered method so buyer need to sign the package, this way i believe paypal will be on your side.

        • Moots on 04/04/2013 - 21:07

          There have been cases that scammers do send the packages by registered post with the same amount of weight and say they did send it but the receiver is lying by saying it wasn't in the box.

  • Kempe on 04/04/2013 - 20:42
    +1

    Gumtree themselves say it is a pickup and cash only site and I believe Paypal will not support you if scammed

  • Qlander on 04/04/2013 - 21:28
    +2

    I have sold quite a few items via gum tree. I have posted the items before receiving payments. Sometimes people paid me before I posted the item. There are lots and lots of good people out there in this country. Its just a risk you have to take if you are after items in gum tree. There will be times you will be unlucky.

  • bertfair on 04/04/2013 - 22:52

    I am awaiting police action after buying an iPad on Gumtree.
    The guy had all the credentials, addresses etc, seemed okay, spoke on the phone, but no goods were ever delivered.
    I Paid by Bank Transfer to him in Canberra back in February.
    Although Gumtree are owned by EBay, they will not help,nor do not cover with any guarantees,for some reason.
    They should be investigated by ACCC and made to be the same as EBay.
    Any way, according to Police, several offences have occurred and the scammer, who is actually a person in electronic media, whose name in familiar to many, will be investigated.
    All I want is my iPad or $550.
    I might have to get some hired muscle to pay him a visit at his home in Calwell A.C.T.
    I have tried to find out where Gumtree have their offices,or even a phone number, but so far they are elusive.
    Anyone know where they are located?
    I am not giving up on this guy until I get my $ or iPad.
    FWW DO NOT DEAL WITH Gumtree in any way until they get more responsible towards their members.

    • Car-la-la on 04/04/2013 - 23:17
      +3

      sorry to burst your bubble, but i doubt the scammer would have given you his real name/address…

      Anyway I am sorry to hear about your situation. even though you paid by bank transfer, not credit card, talk to your bank - they can look at recovering the cash.

    • strangeloops66 on 04/04/2013 - 23:37
      +5

      No listing fee + no final value fee = no buyer protection.

    • Ughhh on 05/04/2013 - 03:06
      +2

      I doubt visiting gumtrees office will help. Afaik, selling on Gumtree does not require any ID or real info, unlike eBay. It's that seller that has scammed you, not gumtree.
      As others have said many times, Gumtree is for local trades, buyer protection is what you gamble/sacrifice when you don't follow the rules.

    • lplau on 07/04/2013 - 19:49
      +1

      Gumtree = Craigs List = Classifieds = putting a piece of paper on a bulletin board.

      When buying from Gumtree think of this:
      When you go to your local bulletin board or the bulletin board of some university, it tells you:

      "Selling X Textbook, RRP: $120, Price: $5, need to sell fast, don't need it anymore, please pay me via direct debit or western union, I will send book to you"

      or

      "Washing Machine, $50, newest model, don't need it was given one, transfer money and will get it couriered to you"

      Will you just pay the money without seeing the person and checking the goods? I highly doubt you will just transfer the money in this case.

      Think of anything online as if it is in real life. That is why eBay charges money, because they are technically just providing a "insurance" for the buyer.

      ACCC cannot do anything about Gumtree, If people get ripped off by their local bulletin board do you think ACCC will go investigate that board? LOL, that's the job for the police dude.

  • Pratty on 04/04/2013 - 23:31

    Didn't need to read this tonight!

    Not something I'd ever do, but I need a Macbook and am having one sent tomorrow. Deposited $200 (partial payment) into account today. It's a refurb.

    I feel it's definitely not a scam, but scary nonetheless! Fingers crossed!

    • Car-la-la on 04/04/2013 - 23:32

      Please keep us updated.
      Hope it works out for you, but does sound a bit suss.
      As a seller i am unsure why they'd post off a mac without full payment?

      • Pratty on 04/04/2013 - 23:37

        I figured the same thing, however asking price is only $500. I'm not too concerned about losing $200, but still, epic waste of money if it fails.

        By the sounds of things (chatted for a long time today) the computers they get for next to nothing (eg. cracked screen, water damage) they fix with Apple parts, then sell off.

        Or it's stolen. Who knows. Believe me, I've run through the scenarios.

        I will post here when (if!) I get a post tracking number tomorrow.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2013 - 11:38
      +4

      You definitely got scammed, I'm 100% sure. It's because you wasted money on a Macbook instead of a real laptop.

  • phokati on 05/04/2013 - 00:07

    Please for the love of God only do pickup deals for Gumtree website.

    Also dont call anyone to your house or go to someones. Meet at any other random place. that you decide.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2013 - 00:47

      Why not their house?

      • tooblue on 05/04/2013 - 01:28
        -1

        kidnap? serial killer?

        • Skinnerr on 05/04/2013 - 21:37

          Paranoid. If you're really that scared, just tell someone where you're going so they know if you dont comeback.

          Also dont assume everyone is weak and defenseless.

    • billybrown on 05/04/2013 - 22:58

      I disagree with not going to someone's house or having someone come to yours. Almost all of the goods I've bought or sold on gumtree have been collected from my house or from the City. You are just too paranoid ;)

      • phokati on 06/04/2013 - 17:36

        actually you never know. i have friends who called people over to sell stuff and than hav breakins in their house later.

        Going to other's house should be fine.. But why should you not like anything is tracked.

        And the other person may also feel the same like us and dont want us invited to their house. I know its not the case everywhee coz i have done a lot of deal and pickups from people house through gumtree like couch and table and what not.. But just saying.

    • mycosys on 06/04/2013 - 01:10

      sorry but i have done it both on EBay and Gumtree, and facebook, and fora, and never had a problem.
      Best not to go alone, but the world is not out to get you

  • Geewhizz on 05/04/2013 - 07:18
    +1

    taniiah 16 hours 43 min ago new
    http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ceduna/mobile-phones/samsung-… I know, it's too good to be true.

    The listing has now been removed. Perhaps he came accross this thread. lol

  • notarealperson on 05/04/2013 - 17:37
    +6

    Honestly I don't really see why people who take chances on dodgy goods just to save a few bucks should get their money reimbursed by their bank (or Visa/Mastercard). I assume all customers pay for this in the long run, as I'm sure not all money is recovered from the scammers. Why should all Visa customers subsidize those who don't use common sense?

    I do feel bad for people who get scammed (and I realise that not all scams are so obvious), but if you buy an iPad from a total stranger in a different state, then it's not really anybody's fault but your own if you get ripped off. Especially if it's off a page like Gumtree - its free so of course there's no buyer protection. It's basically an online community noticeboard. Have patience and wait for something to be listed near you go you can go and pick it up, otherwise accept that there's a chance that you're going to lose some money in the pursuit of a bargain.

  • billybrown on 05/04/2013 - 22:56

    WOW always pick up when buying from gumtree.
    Although I have posted goods to a few people through gumtree, however I personally would not take the risk to buy something.

  • darkjazz on 05/04/2013 - 23:00

    Well, you got bargain as well as risk on Gumtree, spot deal on inspection. Not too much to complain~

    Always, buyer beawares.

  • diondai1 on 06/04/2013 - 00:52

    I've had only great experiences with gumtree actually,
    better than eBay. When I was trying to sell me xperia arc on ebay, i got scam buyers THREE TIMES.. they wanted me to send it to Nigeria with fake paypal receipts.
    I gave up and put it up on gum tree, sold within days and had a bloke show up at my house with cash and hand!! Great! Also sold a Motorised bike with no Bullshit aswell.
    I also buy cigarettes on it very often as well but thats another thing ahah

    • Luminary on 06/04/2013 - 12:38
      +1

      I've had that too. You should make an exceptions list that says you'll only ship within Aus.

      • kyteflyer on 06/04/2013 - 15:53
        -1

        No. there should be NO exceptions. Items should not be shipped, ever. If they are, then you have only yourself to blame if you are taken for a ride.

        • May4th on 06/04/2013 - 16:38
          +3

          we are talking about ebay here i think

  • kyteflyer on 06/04/2013 - 15:51

    I cannot stress enough to both buyers and sellers: Use gumtree as its been designed. for LOCAL use. I do sell stuff on there and from time to time prefer people not to come to the house and will meet at a mutually convenient (but populated) area… likewise if I am buying. I only look at stuff that is within a driving distance for me, or for them. That way, nobody can be scammed. as a seller I allow people to fully inspect the goods before taking money and I expect (and have not been disappointed) to be allowed the same.

    Scammers KNOW there are naive people on gumtree, trying to get something for nearly nothing and those are the people they are marketing to. Likewise there are the other kind… those that advertise want to buy for nearly next to nothing because what they want is to attract someone utterly desperate for money enough to sell their goods at well under market value: they land them occasionally but I have noticed that the same ad gets reposted. I imagine a resale on ebay after that.

  • jo2055 on 06/04/2013 - 18:11

    Just use the common sense and you will be OK. It is no miracle in this world and sellers in any situation know approx going prices and demands for goods…

  • Speckled Jim on 11/04/2013 - 19:04
    +1

    My Gumtree, eBay, OzBargain and several other places all bear the same username.
    So if you're unsure about buying from me on Gumtree, you are welcome to check my eBay feedback.

    This applies to me, but others may try this in a dishonest way by faking an account somewhere else.

    I've bought and sold to complete strangers on a few forums over the years and luckily never had a problem.

    Just comes down to what the acceptable risk is for you.

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