I Never Believed It Would Happen to Me - iPhone X Stolen during Gumtree Transaction

L1195qq on 24/12/2017 - 21:01
Last edited 24/12/2017 - 22:50 by 2 other users

and it did.

My sealed Iphone X 256gb which was listed on gumtree got ripped out of my hands in my own home and the guy sprinted down the driveway.

In hindsight, I should have tackled him and chased him. But that didn't happen, my brain couldn't process what was happening and almost instantaneously after 5 seconds, rage induced me and I tried to chase him down on my moto to no avail.

The signs were there:
1) blocked number (didn't have a phone, calling from work)
I overlooked this because I thought it was legit.
2) he appeared in my driveway without notice, didn't see where he came from or what car
red flag 2, at this point in my mind I already knew i was not letting him hold the box.
3) I asked for him to show me the cash first
red flag 3, he said no, and he didn't want to be robbed, and it was in his car down the road
3) he wanted to check the IMEI on the box, even when I said i would hold it for him to see
red flag 4, he wants to HOLD IT, he doesn't give a shit about the details.
4) I invited him inside, he still wanted to hold it, but was standing near the door
red flag 4, I called him out on this, and he said to come down and go to his friends car to get the money

5) After all attempts to trying to hold it, he asked to show the IMEI, which I did, and he grabbed the phone and bolted.
6) Minority youth, African mid teens with a hoodie, jeans and sneakers.

This is one very expensive lesson learnt, and it's to be wary of any transaction, for you never know what could happen.

1) Do it in a public place with cctv
2) Trust your gut - i didn't and the feeling was there the whole time that something was up
3) Do it your way, no matter what the buyer demands or asks

Safe holidays guys.

Mobile

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closed Comments

  • dylanando on 24/12/2017 - 21:07
    +3

    Sorry to hear mate but a definite eye opener. Ive sold a lot of high end electronics from my house and thankfully all gone smooth.
    I've noticed everyone who's bought a product of me has never actually held the device, They seem confident enough which i find very odd.

    It's a shitter that you've lost your phone. Hope you try and enjoy your Christmas.

    • 1195qq on 24/12/2017 - 21:35
      +4

      I've done hundreds with Facebook marketplace and Gumtree but this was a first. It's made me realise how jaded and laidback my approach to this was, and I should've been alert and ready for what could have happened. Thanks mate, got a holiday tomorrow that hopefully I can still enjoy.

      • dylanando on 24/12/2017 - 21:43
        +1

        Not wrong, Guess we all get comfortable after a while.
        It's only money so don't let it get down on you, Enjoy your holiday, Well earned after this year :P

  • 87percent on 24/12/2017 - 21:19
    +4

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/351314

    Wasnt this guy, was it?

  • mbck on 24/12/2017 - 22:17

    I'm imagining Jerry Seinfeld stealing the bread and running away from the old lady.

    Sorry mate. Hope they get hundreds of dollars in excess data.

  • Master Bates on 24/12/2017 - 22:32

    Sorry for your loss!

    Out of interest why were you selling it?

  • BertieBrown on 24/12/2017 - 22:35
    +1

    Is there any chance that you could claim this on insurance? I mean yeah sure you were trying to sell the phone but ultimately the item was stolen from your property and you didn't voluntarily give the thief the phone? I'd imagine at the very least you'd need to make a police report.

    Although, as others have said, so sorry to hear this happened. People can really, really suck. >:/

    • 1195qq on 25/12/2017 - 00:12

      It was supposed to be brought overseas so it hadn't been opened, thing was still sealed in the damn delivery box from Telstra.

      Police rocked up, but little they could do. My mate had his phone stolen before with CCTV footage and jack was done, so i've lost hope with this one. No point crying over spilled milk, live and learn =(

      • b-t on 25/12/2017 - 00:35
        +4

        Telstra? Do you have the receipt/record with Telstra?

        Get them to ban the IMEI + report to Apple as stolen.

        Then at least he's screwed with a useless brick.

        EDIT: Oh forgot, credit card insurance? For example, ANZ FF Black offers the following:

        90-day Purchase Security Insurance – insurance against loss, theft or accidental damage on most personal items purchased – for 3 months from the date of purchase.

      • BertieBrown on 25/12/2017 - 08:11

        Oh ok. :/ Makes it so maddening. I thought maybe your house contents insurance? If it was stolen from your property, possibly would there be an option to claim?

  • kahn on 24/12/2017 - 22:45
    +2

    He was running to get the money from his friend's car. A quick transaction is a good transaction.

    • garage sale on 25/12/2017 - 07:51
      +1

      lucky he didn’t stab you with a screw driver or knife ……

      get telstra to block the imei and also apple so it cant be sold overseas, often blocked imei are sold on overseas markets but apple can block globally.
      as the phone needs to go to the cloud for updates etc.

  • follow on 24/12/2017 - 23:48

    damn. i do so many transactions, but you should always lock the door when they come inside. almost happened to me.

    next time, don't sell to minority youth, African mid teens with a hoodie, jeans and sneakers.

    • garage sale on 25/12/2017 - 07:52

      locked door is worse ….. cornered rats are dangerous.

      • follow on 25/12/2017 - 08:16

        I don't see how public is better. It may work for some. It won't stop this dude I bet. Whenever I lock the door, people stop messing about. I'm holding the item so they know I'm not doing a dodgy

  • Savas on 25/12/2017 - 02:33
    +1

    Maybe you could do something with his work number?

  • armdrags on 25/12/2017 - 06:14

    It's understandable that you couldn't chase after him. He would most likely be 100 metres away from you in less than 10 seconds. You should never ever let anyone hold the product until the money is in your hand first.

  • garage sale on 25/12/2017 - 07:57

    it’s one of the reasons people sell via ebay and do postage only no pickup …. sure ebay takes their cut but some characters turn up just to case a house and once they have your mobile can check if you are home or not.

    if people want pickup after they have paid i take picture of their license so ebay knows they collected and can’t say they pay buy never got item unlike tracked postage they need to sign for.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/12/2017 - 08:29

      I would never let you take a picture of my license. A picture of me holding the product yes but not a clear picture of my license.

    • armdrags on 25/12/2017 - 08:53

      I never use my home address for buying and selling. It's always done in a public environment with bystanders and preferably camera surveillance. A busy shopping centre is a good example.

  • whooah1979 on 25/12/2017 - 08:30

    bolted. Minority youth, African mid teens

    Perhaps a future olympian in the making.

  • HeWhoKnows on 25/12/2017 - 09:40

    I always ask people inside and sit them down at the table. But yes so many red flags in this instance. But especially what the guy was wearing. Thanks to OP for making us aware of this.
    If you have the IMEI you can have the phone blocked for use in Australia but be quick! That will get him back what he deserves. Hopefully someone will beat him up for trying to sell them a blocked phone. Also report it to the police in case he tries to hock it off.

  • Moderatorneil on 25/12/2017 - 10:59

    This thread is not going to end well and the racists have already arrived. Comments closed. Merry Christmas.

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