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I got scammed :/

Macsavvytech said:
Have you rung the police yet?
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I don't see that it's a police issue. He saw the laptop, examined it, and decided to go with it. At any time he could have bailed, no one twisted his arm.

I agree, it sucks, but I don't see that it's really a scam or a police issue unless the machine comes back as stolen. Caveat Emptor definitely.

If you're going to buy and sell used equipment should have a bootable disc with diagnostics though rather than trust a sellers word for it.
 
Cops can trace the info on the "number" such where it was used and the IP to purchase it


Sent from my iPhone4 using Tapatalk
 
Ccrew said:
If you're going to buy and sell used equipment should have a bootable disc with diagnostics though rather than trust a sellers word for it.
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it may be my fault for THROUGHLY not checking it out, but i never knew people went above and beyond to change the system info (or if that was even possible)
 
silver lining is, maybe there really is 8 gigs of ram inside. not holding my breath but hoping! :D hahaha
 
felt. said:
some people who get scammed don't walk away with laptops, consider yourself lucky :)
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i totally agree. i hate to profile (so don't look at me as a douchebag) but he was a really skinny geeky guy. Bowl haircut and colorful small abercrombie polo. totally did not think of him as a person who would go to elaborate measures to scam. guess thats my fault eh? haha.
 
Resqu2 said:
Did you get all the software listed in the add? Some of it is not cheap and if the machine runs good I think I would just enjoy it and try to get over it and make the best of it. Good luck!
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nope. didnt get any of it. i mean, thats no big deal though. software gets lost when you restore and it wasn't as if he would supply the cd's.

such a large sum of money lost. i know you guys hate hearing the same thing over and over again. still in the shocked stage.
 
ipodlover77 said:
nope. didnt get any of it. i mean, thats no big deal though. software gets lost when you restore and it wasn't as if he would supply the cd's.

such a large sum of money lost. i know you guys hate hearing the same thing over and over again. still in the shocked stage.
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Well, it really does suck, but at least you won't be doing anything like this again (I hope!).

By the way, it sounds like your scammer is technically proficient. Did you wipe your drive properly? If not, I would change all of you passwords ASAP.
 
ipodlover77 said:
nope. didnt get any of it. i mean, thats no big deal though. software gets lost when you restore and it wasn't as if he would supply the cd's.

such a large sum of money lost. i know you guys hate hearing the same thing over and over again. still in the shocked stage.
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Like others wrote, consider it a lesson learned, but the warning signs were all over the place. Your gut didn't like it, the condition wasn't as stated, the software wasn't on the machine, etc.

Next time, ask for the serial number ahead of time so you can check it online. Then, have the seller send you pictures of the info serial along with bottom case serial. Re-verify once you get there in person and if you're still unsure, just walk away.
 
jenzjen said:
Like others wrote, consider it a lesson learned, but the warning signs were all over the place. Your gut didn't like it, the condition wasn't as stated, the software wasn't on the machine, etc.
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Good point.
It sounds silly, but so often your "gut" knows best. You can read about this stuff and analyze it a bunch, but in the end, if you have a bad feeling about something, there is probably something to it, and that is the best indicator.
 
ipodlover77 said:
nope. didnt get any of it. i mean, thats no big deal though. software gets lost when you restore and it wasn't as if he would supply the cd's.

such a large sum of money lost. i know you guys hate hearing the same thing over and over again. still in the shocked stage.
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Was the add you posted the exact one you called about? I will text him and see if it's still available, I love messing with these guys.
 
Resqu2 said:
Was the add you posted the exact one you called about? I will text him and see if it's still available, I love messing with these guys.
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yup thats his number. dont think its real though. thats the actual ad.

but yeah, this is a lesson. a terrible lesson but a lesson none the less. i should have went with my gut, but the idea of the trade had me blinded. blah. oh well.
 
Sorry to the OP, looks like you did get scammed though as others have already pointed out...it could have been avoided...hindsight is a wonderful thing!

I would have looked for the thunderbolt logo first...no logo = no sale

I know how sometimes excitement can override logic tho!

Hope you can somehow get hold of the guy and demand your mac/money back
 
Sorry to hear of this deal, my thoughts are ypthe ad says brand new, when you went to the deal you said you noticed a dent and scratches, I would of walked away from it right there, no telling what damage could be done and if the adverts states brand new then something is clearly wrong.
 
ahh, i must have missed the "brand new" part. now that i look back, it had red flags everywhere. i should have thrashed the airs ssd before giving it to him haha. what a ********.
 
I always take a picture of the person I'm dealing with on craigslist when we meet.
And by the way, there is no 13'' quadcore i7. The 13'' have dual core i7's
 
Sorry man. I know it has to be frustrating but try and let it go. You made a mistake, learned a valuable lesson. It could have been worse, some people get attacked or robed at those exchanges.
 
This sucks, not going to lie, I am not going to laugh at you or rub it in because I am sure you still feel like **** and that will last longer than any of us pointing fingers. Just remember it could have happened to any of us, we all know how excitement blinds us from what we are really looking for.

My 1 suggestion: Call your insurance and place a claim. Don't say your's was stolen say you were scammed into buying a faulty macbook. As long as you have renters / owners insurance and you place that claim they will send you the $ for the total cost of that mac and you can just get another.
 
It said brand new and it obviously wasn't...should have run out of the place! However if it's any closure to you, as a lawyer I would say the police are powerless to do anything because you both entered into a verbal contract, the item was sold as seen and you paid cash. He didn't do anything untoward like run away with the cash before giving you the computer. If you meet up with someone under an informal sales arrangment, and you both agree to undertake the transaction willingly, then you have no recourse I'm afraid. The craigslist description does not matter, it isn't a contract and since you met in person, distance selling regulations don't apply.
 
AFPoster said:
This sucks, not going to lie, I am not going to laugh at you or rub it in because I am sure you still feel like **** and that will last longer than any of us pointing fingers. Just remember it could have happened to any of us, we all know how excitement blinds us from what we are really looking for.

My 1 suggestion: Call your insurance and place a claim. Don't say your's was stolen say you were scammed into buying a faulty macbook. As long as you have renters / owners insurance and you place that claim they will send you the $ for the total cost of that mac and you can just get another.
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really? that is interesting. i will take a look at my insurance. it seems to me that you will need some kind of police report to back this up. anyhow, it seems like a great idea.
 
Feel sorry for you

really feel for you on this one, I guess the only lesson and i've had to learn it many times is the old saying " if a deal looks to good to be true it often is" , so walk away.

I got ripped off yesterday by someone selling stuff on the high street sadly these people seem to be able to judge the vulnerability of someone else, I said I didnt want and he followed me down the street, like others have said before me people get beat up etc over far less.

with computers I guess you should be happy with what you have until you have the funds to go into a reputable store and buy new, I have a 4 year old macbook and until I can afford to pay cash for a new one ( maybe next year ) ill make do with it and be happy.

but all the best and i hope you have better luck in the future
 
thanks guys! really appreciate the kind words. trying to get over it. just knowing what i could have done to prevent this really irks me.

oh well. i have an apple store appointment at 1045 to get it checked out. at least the guy had some decency to leave some warranty for me! haha

it could have been worse, he could have given me a 2009 model, which is the model i sold to get the air (of course i had to add 250 lol. the irony)
 
From the ad

This computer also has Adobe CS5 Master Suite installed, Microsoft Office 2011, Final Cut Studio, Logic Pro, iLife 2011, iWork 2010, and many other great pieces of software all of which is legitimate.
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Red flag, betcha it's all pirated. Did they include a single CD or valid serial?
 
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