Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
craigslist
- Thread starter Frankie.
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Even after MafiaBay and GunPointPal fees? You must buy extremely low and fetch quite a premium on ebay. Your prowess intrigues me.
Good experiences
I've bought 2 MBP's on Craigslist and had a good experience both times. Met the seller in a coffeehouse, gave him cash after looking at the computer (one was new and unopened) and everyone was happy. We both saved over eBay. You can usually tell if the deal is on the level by talking to the person. I did go to the house of one person (a mistake) -- without cash -- to look at 2 computers. He had put pirated editions of all sorts of expensive software on them and was charging a premium for that. His machines were falling apart. After that, I'd never meet anyone at their house.
I've bought 2 MBP's on Craigslist and had a good experience both times. Met the seller in a coffeehouse, gave him cash after looking at the computer (one was new and unopened) and everyone was happy. We both saved over eBay. You can usually tell if the deal is on the level by talking to the person. I did go to the house of one person (a mistake) -- without cash -- to look at 2 computers. He had put pirated editions of all sorts of expensive software on them and was charging a premium for that. His machines were falling apart. After that, I'd never meet anyone at their house.
Yeah, eBay and Paypal fees really aren't that much. If you are a powerseller you get ebay discounts, and paypal fees are easy to calculate. I just figure in about 8% for fees and shipping (I usually offer free shipping, as macbooks and 13" MBPs fit perfectly in a USPS medium flat rate box ($12 to ship with signature confirmation)). Then if I can get at least $100 profit, I consider it worth my time to take pictures and create the listing.
I have no idea why eBay seems to fetch near-retail prices for Mac computers... but I'm not complaining. I only buy ones in good condition with AppleCare remaining. Sometimes I upgrade them with larger HDDs, more ram, or SSDs and always get a better return because of it.
I started doing this a while back after finding an awesome deal on CL for a 13" MBP 2.53. The girl really didn't know what she had and sold it to me for $800... I then flipped it for $1500. I realized that it could be a feasible side venture to make some extra cash while in Grad School.
Yeah don't use PayPal, for anything IMO. They will screw you over so fast. I sold a $100 gift card through ebay about a year ago. The seller filed a complaint 80 days later saying they never got it. I provided the tracking number, receipt of shipment, use of the gift card and paypal still did a chargeback. I was on the phone with them numerous times and they said they could not look into the complaint because it was a privacy issue. The buyer never responded to any emails from me or paypal(I doubt they even emailed them). So I was out $200 + shipping. Oh and I also forgot, there was 46 other people the buyer did this to during that month. Found a few of them on ripoffreport.
Yes, you do have to be careful. As long as you read and follow their seller protection policy, they will abide by them. The only time this doesn't work is in the case of a nonreceipt chargeback... and in that case it is the credit card company ruling, not paypal.
I sold an Alienware computer on eBay and basically had the same trouble you did. Sold it, user said he never received it but I provided paypal with shipping and proof he signed for it but he got his money back and got to keep my laptop. What a rip off.
I had a similar experience as a buyer with PayPal. I opened a dispute for something I never received. The seller agreed to give me refund, but was delaying it for almost two months. They ruled in my favor, but simply said "you are right, but at the moment we have no way of recovering the funds from the seller's account, we'll try our "best" for you". Yeah right! After 2 weeks, I opened a dispute with my credit card, and since there was nothing to fight back (e.g., shipment record, etc etc), they accepted the charge back and I got my money in full 6 months after the original transaction date.
eBay and PayPal "security". What a joke!
eBay and PayPal "security". What a joke!
18 months later, still out like $210. I was going to take them to small claims court and then they started threatening me. Paypal is just a bunch of BS