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buying off ebay?
- Thread starter verseafterverse
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If it costs more than $50, I do not buy it on EBay. Been burned too many times, and the "Buyer Protection" didn't include the cost of shipping the POS back - that's how it was last time I got screwed. Too many scammers and bad eggs on Ebay for my taste.
Wouldn't buy anything over $ 50 on eBay either. Too many scammers who game the system and you are out a lot of money with nothing to show for it.
If you buy a latest model, practically brand new... either he's not going to sell it cheap, or it's stolen.
If not latest model, you have to ask yourself, how worn is the battery? Sellers typically don't disclose that information. Because you will have to account that soon after purchase you may have to shell out another $150 for battery replacement.
Buy hey, you love going to auctioning and get a kick out of bidding, go for it.
If not latest model, you have to ask yourself, how worn is the battery? Sellers typically don't disclose that information. Because you will have to account that soon after purchase you may have to shell out another $150 for battery replacement.
Buy hey, you love going to auctioning and get a kick out of bidding, go for it.
All the above posts are complete BS!
Where do people go with those computers then? Throw it in the garbage? I think Not!
I have sold and bought many in E-bay without any hassle. I sold my 2012 MBA recently and the buyer even gave a more than excellent review. I also deal with expensive camera lenses that cost more than the most expensive Mac you can think of and have had no issues so far.
You have to be careful who you buy it from. Check their ratings and reviews from other buyers before you decide. Ask all the necessary questions to the seller before you buy (using ebay's mail system so it is on record). Prefer sellers with rating of at least 100 or more. Check their past auctions and see if they have sold expensive and delicate items and what the feed back was etc etc... and you will be fine.
Where do people go with those computers then? Throw it in the garbage? I think Not!
I have sold and bought many in E-bay without any hassle. I sold my 2012 MBA recently and the buyer even gave a more than excellent review. I also deal with expensive camera lenses that cost more than the most expensive Mac you can think of and have had no issues so far.
You have to be careful who you buy it from. Check their ratings and reviews from other buyers before you decide. Ask all the necessary questions to the seller before you buy (using ebay's mail system so it is on record). Prefer sellers with rating of at least 100 or more. Check their past auctions and see if they have sold expensive and delicate items and what the feed back was etc etc... and you will be fine.
eBay is a sellers market, not a buyers. I can get MacBooks cheaper on this forum (and many others) or craigslist way cheaper than I can on eBay.
Of course. There is an overhead of fees and what not.
So you trust craiglist more than Ebay? I can't imagine myself meeting strangers in a strange place with a 2k computer hoping for a smooth deal.
thanks for all the help I do trust ebay with purchases though as i bought guitars from 1-2k off there and know people who spent much more.
Don't meet in a strange place. Meet a McDonald's or other public place, check out the computer before you buy. I have never had any problems with craigslist buys except the couple times when people didn't bring the machine they had listed in their ad, and I just walked away.
LOL! They didn't bring the computer and yet came to meet you? What did they say? I am curious and what were they doing ther without the goods?
Update: Gotcha. They bought something else than what they listed it for.
They had a 15" rMBP in the ad and they showed up with a 13" MBP. I knew the price was too good to be true.
Strongly disagree. There is now so much risk involved selling on ebay with fake complaints and scammers. The highest priced item I sold recently was iPad4 16GB ATT with B. keyboard and leather case for $499. The buyer got a deal and I prayed that he gives me positive feedback. And I lost 13% on ebay/paypal fees.
Contrary to OP, I am considering to sell MBA2012 as I can get a new one now at work, but will try locally first on craigslist, meeting e.g. inside Barnes&Noble cafe...
Check the sellers feedback rating and ask for more photos of the computer to ensure that it hasn't been damaged (ensure that you get some shots of the screen powered on so you can see if it's got any cracks etc). Also ask them to include a copy of the invoice/receipt.
If the seller refuses or claims they can't do any of the above then avoid.
If the seller refuses or claims they can't do any of the above then avoid.
I prefer eBay over something like Craigslist (or Kijiji in Canada). I bought my first MacBook Air off of eBay and it was an excellent experience. Notebook was used, but in brand new condition. Just keep an eye on Feedback and contact the seller, ask them any questions you may have. If you need more pics, ask them! Oh, and make sure they have a return policy, of some sort.. even if it's only 14 days, because it should give you time to see if everything functions accordingly. There are scammers everywhere, man... but don't fear eBay, just be smart about it! 
If you pay attention to the seller's ratings, and do your due diligence as to pricing, you can do well on eBay. I bought a MacBook Pro a couple of years ago and when it came in, the machine was like new. It's still in use here and was a good deal for both the seller and for me.
Don't. You'll pay a ton of money compared to craigslist or local ads. eBay is good to sell, bad to buy.
That whole experience is so strange to me. Hey I'm gonna be wearing jeans and a red shirt with a black baseball hat on. So weird. U hear of too many incidents of people getting robbed etc. just not worth it to me.
That's why you meet in a public place. And bring a friend.
It's no weirder than 'Okay, random person on the internet, I will send you some money with hopes that you send me a computer'
Yes, you are right - specifically thinking of something like a Mac Mini. I see lots of 2010 and 2011 Mac Minis for $450 - $550 and up, with the same specs as brand new (2014) Minis that cost the same amount, or even less. I understand that the older Minis are more upgradable - but not having USB 3.0 ports is a big deal I think. And the way a lot of them are described - is either blatantly wrong, or at best misleading. Unfortunately, eBay has morphed from "regular people" selling their stuff to these sort of massive virtual pawn shops selling items about which they have no knowledge.
That is just fear of the unknown. It's never the big scary boogie man people make it out to be. You want to buy something that someone else wants to sell. You both understand what it is worth and you don't want to deal with mailing, waiting on fees and other nonsense to process, and waiting 30 days for payment. It is instantaneous and 90 percent of the time, Craigslist transactions are as smooth as butter.