Selling Laptop on Gumtree vs CEX

lupiter on 08/04/2016 - 08:57

I have a laptop that I'm not using anymore since work provides a good computer and I just binge out watching youtube at home. I was going to sell it at CEX, who list a cash buy price for that model of ~$450. Of course if I sell it myself via Gumtree, I could get a lot more, probably ~$700.

I've never sold something so expensive (>$100) via Gumtree before, and I just wanted to check if people have any advice selling something very portable this way. I know I see lots of stuff listed in this price bracket and I just wonder what people do to feel safe and not get scammed.

Computing

Comments

  • miarn on 08/04/2016 - 08:59
    +4

    Meet somewhere public and well lit if at night. In front of a police station is good.

    Accept cash only.

    If you're really worried, use a burner phone number. Obviously don't supply full name/address.

  • Mikinoz on 08/04/2016 - 09:00
    +1

    If they are sitting in a car do not hand them anything, make sure you have a few minutes to spare as they may be cautious as well and want to try everything

  • spychiatrist on 08/04/2016 - 09:19

    Insist on no change of mind. Ask them to use the laptop while you're there, and once they leave that's it. Had an issue with a buyer who called me AFTER 20 minutes of driving off with the item and asked for a return. Could've ignored, but I'd rather avoid the drama. Only happened once, thank goodness.

  • tomsco on 08/04/2016 - 09:39

    Might be worth meeting at a library - public, lots of power points. Jumping on a laptop won't raise the ire of the librarians.

    • lupiter on 08/04/2016 - 14:18

      Oooh! A library is a great idea. Thanks!

  • scrimshaw on 08/04/2016 - 10:04
    +4

    If you want to avoid issues down the road,

    1. Meet at a public place, preferably at one with access to a power point, so you can demonstrate that the laptop works.
    2. Always take cash only. Make it clear! Take nothing but cold hard cash.
    3. Use a burner prepaid SIM card, so that they can't contact you or trace you.
    4. If you used your own personal SIM, after the transaction has finished, you can block the buyer's phone number (your phone should have a number block feature)
    5. Never reveal to the buyer where you work or live. If for any issues they want your address, just provide them a fake work address.
    6. For your safety: Never do transactions while the other party is sitting inside a vehicle. They can do a snatch n' grab and speed off with your item without paying.
    7. Some buyers deliberately bring less cash in their wallets (they make some lame excuse like: "oh, I forgot to bring the $500, will you take $300 instead?), make it clear they must bring the exact amount as promised. If they pull this stunt off, just walk away. They're wasting your time.
    • miarn on 08/04/2016 - 10:13
      +1

      I would add that you should count the cash, aloud, as soon as you get it. I once had a guy "accidentally" give me one too few $50 notes…

    • lupiter on 08/04/2016 - 14:22

      I once had someone give me $80 instead of $75 b/c they didn't have change!

      But yeah, definitely no negotiations, and I'll count the cash.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2016 - 11:54
    +3

    Meet in a dark alleyway at night, preferably wearing a trench coat and fedora whilst smoking a cigar.

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