Dodgy People on Gumtree - How Do I Get around Meeting up at My Place of Residence?

ywpn on 08/04/2018 - 23:27
Last edited 09/04/2018 - 01:16 by 1 other user

I know the answer seems obvious - meet in a Maccas or shopping centre car park - so let me elaborate.

As a hobby, I love building bartop arcade machines and sometimes I put them up on Gumtree for sale.
However, I've recently been put off by the amount of scammers and weirdos on Gumtree - some have offered to pay the full amount in advance without seeing the product (scammer), and some have sent me gross selfies (weirdos).

So I'm stuck in a situation where I want people to test the machine before they buy it, but also don't want them coming to my place because I don't know if they're dodgy.

These machines weigh about 10kgs, require a permanent power source, are approximately 60cm in length/width/height, so it's not like I can meet at a car park for them to test it out.

Open to all ideas on how someone can inspect the product without it being at my place.

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Comments

  • spackbace on 08/04/2018 - 23:28
    +1

    Workplace?

    • ywpn on 08/04/2018 - 23:31

      I work in an office in the city :(
      If I had my own office, this would work.

      • JIMB0 on 09/04/2018 - 09:17

        So you don't want wierdos at your house but are happy to have them at your office?

        • Tiller76 on 09/04/2018 - 10:19
          +3

          People can't generally tell the difference between work weirdos and public weirdos.

  • yoonibear on 08/04/2018 - 23:32
    +2

    Library?

  • Bluberry on 08/04/2018 - 23:33
    +13

    You sound dodgy as hell. No way I am buying a 'home made' arcade machine at some random place.

    • Sage on 09/04/2018 - 00:13
      +11

      That username too.

      • ywpn on 09/04/2018 - 03:22
        +10

        You must be thinking of meatspin - my name is Spin, and you could meet me.

        • Pharos5 on 09/04/2018 - 10:02

          Name checks out

        • resisting the urge on 10/04/2018 - 00:25

          @Pharos5: Too many dodgey ppl on gumtree, so I'm gonna try OzB instead.

          This is either another marketing scam, or @meetspin's an incurable optimist!

  • djkelly69 on 08/04/2018 - 23:35
    +7

    Have you seen the Frogger episode of Seinfeld??

  • Kangal on 08/04/2018 - 23:42
    +3

    If its a one-time sale, shouldn't be much of an issue.
    But it sounds like an on-going business, so maybe you could hire a Storage Unit and store them there.

    The doors are usually hard to penetrate and they have CCTV footage too.
    Plus you can set up your own too inside the unit, and also keep your address and identity intact.
    And there's also power outlets to turn them on/demonstrate before a purchase.

    Costs usually between $400 - $900 per year, depending on the unit of course. So you'd have to wager if that's worth it.

    • ywpn on 09/04/2018 - 03:08

      I've enquired about storage units, but couldn't find one with a power socket. Can you recommend any?

      • QW3RTY on 09/04/2018 - 09:41
        +1

        Call up any of the major storage providers and ask for a "powered storage unit".
        They're fairly common.

        • Kangal on 09/04/2018 - 10:47
          +1

          Yeah, this pretty much.
          Besides I don't live in Melbourne, can't do everything for you remotely.

        • JIMB0 on 09/04/2018 - 18:20
          +1

          Can you have a hydroponics setup running in one?

        • reactor-au on 10/04/2018 - 03:01
          +1

          @JIMB0:
          Or a small mining farm for some coin.

        • QW3RTY on 10/04/2018 - 08:09

          @JIMB0: Can you? Sure. Should you? Maybe not.

    • exc3113nce on 10/04/2018 - 08:18

      Just to add on this - if it is an on going business be careful as the ACL may apply.

  • garetz on 08/04/2018 - 23:47
    +2

    Agreed upon meeting place nearby, usually a public place like a library which also has access to power ports

  • follow on 08/04/2018 - 23:48
    +3

    it's a package deal unfortunately

  • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2018 - 23:50
    -1

    garage.
    steve jobs did it that way

    • follow on 09/04/2018 - 00:07

      garage not at his address?

  • ozhunter on 08/04/2018 - 23:54
    +3

    Can get a power bank with an ac outlet.

    Could get annoying when people decide not to buy and you have to constantly drive to like a parking lot.

  • SmiTTy on 09/04/2018 - 00:12
    +5

    Maybe stop using Gumtree and find another channel to sell. It sounds like uve got a good product, try to think of other avenues? (sorry I know it doesn't answer your question)

    Alternatively, perhaps hire a kennards storage (or similar) place where u can run your hobby from.

  • Richardc on 09/04/2018 - 00:23
    +2

    ikea restaurant

    • resisting the urge on 10/04/2018 - 00:29

      Train station- for high traffic and ability to hide in plain sight.

      Airport- meeting inside customs area means they've already been frisked down/scanned and IDs verified.

      Also, you can go far away immediately following the transaction and avoid any blow-back/warranty returns.

  • Findo on 09/04/2018 - 00:26
    +2

    What if you found businesses willing to sell your product? You could then become a distributor only.

  • Froot Loops on 09/04/2018 - 00:40
    +4

    I get where you are coming from. It's nerve racking and I always have a concern that they are casing the joint.

    We recently sold a few motorbikes and when people get the address details and don't show it is a bad feeling.

    Here is a few suggestions. Ask people to call or TXT you. Even request that if the message you on gumtree, to provide a mobile number and advice you will call / TXT them back or advise only to use calls / TXT.

    In Australia you must provide ID when registering a mobile number and therefore there is a little trail.

    Also place the goods for sale in an area aware from you personal items, if possible, like in a garage and add some extra security. Even adding another lock or a few security stickers or even a dummy camera, maybe a good idea. I know a few people steal the security signs from around town and if people know the premise is alarmed and have "paid security" if a big deterrent.

    Also never leave the area open to public access. So for an example in a garage, add extra padlocks or such and always wait until the person arrives, before opening up, and make it seem like abit of a hassle. This could go both ways though. It will prevent people for learning route, but also, if you have no security, will allow them to see how easy access could be.

    Hope some of this helps. I really suggest as a min doing the mobile thing, as it makes people think twice.

    Also ignore those for overseas, those that wish to paid upfront and those that can't pay with cash.

    Goodluck mate

    P.s. if you had a van etc, that you could be portable, it would be much better

    • spackbace on 09/04/2018 - 00:50
      +7

      P.s. if you had a van etc, that you could be portable, it would be much better

      Works well for the stereo sellers 😂

      • Froot Loops on 09/04/2018 - 00:50
        +3

        They always have the best deals

  • eggles01 on 09/04/2018 - 01:17
    -3

    why are you afraid to let a possible customer not see where you live,you set up a table outside in your driveway and run an extension cable to it just make sure when the possible customer is coming,or you could buy a dummy security camera and set it up above your garage door or front of the building and make sure you put batteries in and turn it on before they get there,the ones I have seen actually have a flashing red light like the real ones,

  • Xiaomi on 09/04/2018 - 03:13
    +2

    Rent a storage space, they can be very cost affective for small units (1.5m x 1.5m) which gets you powerpoint access, storage, security, piece of mind and is a tax deductible expense if you are paying your taxes…

    • ywpn on 09/04/2018 - 03:15

      Can you recommend any? I couldn't find one with a power socket.

      • Xiaomi on 09/04/2018 - 03:16
        +1

        The power sockets are not inside the units on purpose, they are generally on every corner row. Simply run an extension cable to the device needing power.

  • WTF on 09/04/2018 - 03:52
    +3

    Just get a Doberman. I have one. He is huge, has massive teeth, and always looks like he is just about to bite your balls off. He is really a gentle giant and a big woos but scares the shit out of anyone that visits our house. Once some dumb Aus post guy jumped the fence to deliver a package and fainted on the doorstep after seeing the dog. We had to call an ambulance to resuscitate the poor guy!

    Honestly the best security system I have ever invested in.

  • AlienC on 09/04/2018 - 06:10

    Train station with an outlet.. maybe you can fit them in a massive 95 litre camping bag or duffel bag then plug in at the station to show them the works?

  • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2018 - 06:52

    I meet people in the cafe at Central Station. Its hard for people to say they cant get to Central. There is a gaming dungeon in the city somewhere. That would be a good place.

    Edit: turns out the gaming dungeon closed down, what a shame.

  • Seraphin7 on 09/04/2018 - 09:10

    It strikes me that you're stuck. To your point, the basis of the business is that you can demonstrate that the device works and allow prospective customers to test it. You need power for this purpose.

    Your best bet will be to try to rent a garage from someone for this purpose, but you'll need to find someone who's happy for you to use their power. Be aware though that they may not want various "scammers and weirdos" hanging around their place.

  • stirlo on 09/04/2018 - 09:13
    +4

    How about driving somewhere and getting an inverter to power it? Plenty of cheap ones around for ~$50. I don't imagine an arcade machine would use that much power its not a toaster or kettle or anything like that…

    https://www.jaycar.com.au/power-products-electrical/power-co…

    • 00sas00 on 09/04/2018 - 11:26

      agree with strilo… getting an inverter for your car is probably the most portable solution. plus it's always handy to have an inverted in your car anyway.
      you should be able to pick one up from SuperCheap for… super cheap.

  • Clear on 09/04/2018 - 10:05
    +1

    Carparks. I've sold heaps from the boot of my car in the Kmart car park.

  • slknv on 09/04/2018 - 10:13
    +4

    I never let any facebook/gumtree buyers come to my place. For your needs, buy a 12V-240V converter so you can power your machine from your car, meet in the carpark of your local library, fast food outlet, police station, shopping centre etc.

  • chichi on 09/04/2018 - 11:30
    +1

    As others have suggested the library seems like a good idea.

    I sell on Gumtree also and do not let people come to the house. I always meet at the local shopping centre. Gumtree drives me crazy though. I have cash only and no post on my ads but I find the majority of people want to pay with paypal and for me to post to them. And don't get me started on the ridiculously low offers - I even had someone tell me I'd be stupid not to take their offer of a quarter of the asking price.

    • KaTst3R on 09/04/2018 - 11:43

      Tell them anyone will be stupid to take their offer.

    • eggles01 on 09/04/2018 - 14:52

      yes chichi as you know there are a lot of people out there buying from strangers and there are a lot of rip off artists among them at least PayPal gives the buyer a bit of protection against unscrupulous sellers that are also out there,I use PayPal simply for that bit of security that I am getting exactly what I am buying,I am also willing to pay an extra dollar or two for the PayPal fees,sellers that will not accept PayPal must be hiding something about the item they are selling especially when their fees are added to the price of their item

      • chichi on 09/04/2018 - 15:07

        "sellers that will not accept PayPal must be hiding something about the item they are selling"

        There are also many dodgy buyers who claim their items are not as described or that they never received them. Which is exactly why I sell on Gumtree rather than ebay and only accept cash. I'm not sure how I could be hiding anything if I am meeting the person to hand over the item.

  • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2018 - 13:02

    This is one of what neighbours are good for..
    Also you can check if she left the Omo out…

  • Quantumcat on 09/04/2018 - 13:37

    If a bar or restaurant or similar has bought one, you can take them there.

  • HeWhoKnows on 09/04/2018 - 16:23

    Best to meet at your place.
    That way you have total control and they cant just run away with the item you are selling.
    If you are not sure about them then dont do it.

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