Sold Laptop on eBay - Just Checking if It's Legit? (Solved)

LSambo69 on 15/03/2022 - 09:27
Last edited 16/03/2022 - 12:30 by 1 other user

Hi,

I have sold my laptop on Ebay and just wanted to check if it all seems legit.

The buyer initially bought the item but was not able to get the funds together in time so I relisted. Shortly after I relisted the buyer bought it again and has paid.

I needed to verify my bank account for Ebay before they would release the funds for Payout. The funds have now been paid out and I am waiting for them to hit my account before sending the laptop.

The amount is just over $3000 after Ebay fees.

Once this amount has hit my account what is the best course of action to take in order to prevent being scammed? Obviously I will not post the laptop until the funds have fully cleared in my account and I have moved the money into another account.

I intend to send the laptop via registered post requiring a signature on delivery. I intend to take photos of the packing and shipping of the laptop during the process for evidence.

The buyer has feedback of 1 and has been an Ebay member since 2017 but is located in another state.

Are there any tips for ensuring that I am not getting scammed here?

The laptop in question is a Razer Blade 15 Advanced i7 32GB 2TB OLED 4K Touch Super RTX 2080.

Many thanks
Sam

Computing

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Comments

  • Sambo69 on 16/03/2022 - 07:48
    +6

    Final Update!

    Ebay has refunded the buyer and feel I've dodged a potential bullet. Buyer has tried to contact me several times but his responses did not address any of my concerns so have been ignored.

    Case closed and thank you OZB! :)

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 15/03/2022 - 09:36
    +2

    I have sent a few expensive laptops over ebay many years ago but there are a few things that I do beforehand, and lots of people will add their experiences on top…
    I check google street view to see if the address looks legitimate
    If the price you got was too high than its a red flag, if they could have got a newer/better model for similar, then thats odd (But I odnt know that detail to be able to tell)
    Aus Post insurance is a must, though even if they deliver to a wrong address or get any signature, even if its from a random person like the gardener they'll avoid paying out
    If Paypal wants its funds back for whatever reason, they'll be demanding the money by legal means and removing it from your account wont do much but stall them

    But saying that, i am simply looking for worst-case scenarios and most sales go through, but as for expensive items, id rather get less and get the cash

    • Sambo69 on 15/03/2022 - 09:44
      +1

      Thanks mate!

      Would sending it via non-auspost courier be a better solution?

      • Zetrox2k on 15/03/2022 - 10:44
        +1

        I would use someone like TNT Overnight service (Overnight interstate is cheaper then road express services for smaller cartons), but make sure to take out insurance and request signature and ID on delivery.

        TNT at least GPS track their vehicles, and will know the exact GPS coordinates they delivered to, so youll have this to fall back on if they deliver to the wrong address.

  • MS Paint on 15/03/2022 - 09:37

    The funds have now been paid out and I am waiting for them to hit my account before sending the laptop.

    Why?

    You don't need to wait for the funds to hit your personal account. If eBay managed payments says you have been paid then you are good to go.

    Waiting for the money to hit your account is just delaying the process unnecessarily.

    It's not like the old days anymore.

    • Sambo69 on 15/03/2022 - 09:43

      My worry is that under the new Ebay policy not using PayPal, I have given Ebay DD authority on my bank account. If the buyer is scamming then Ebay can just direct debit the $3k even if there is a zero balance on the account.

      What is different to the "old days"? Is it harder for the buyer to scam now?

      Thanks again :)

    • stirlo on 15/03/2022 - 09:46
      +6

      Really? For a buyer with 1 feedback? You're extremely trusting…

  • Duckie2hh on 15/03/2022 - 09:38
    +2

    <The buyer has feedback of 1 and has been an Ebay member since 2017 but is located in another state.

    Good luck OP. Best thing I can say is that you video packing the laptop in the box at the post office, so they cannot claim that you sent them a brick.

    • ibuy on 15/03/2022 - 12:44
      +1

      @sambo69 definitely agree with the video at the post office. This has saved my bacon a few times when people claim non delivery. Pictures Don’t mean anything to eBay in a dispute. You can also send the video or pictures to the buyer just after shipping - harder to claim non delivery with photos at a post office.

      Definitely take out insurance. If it arrives damaged then it’s still your fault as far as eBay goes.

      Contact the buyer to confirm address and also obtain phone number. Let them know this is needed if something goes wrong with delivery. Do a Googlemaps search to see if the postie doesn’t follow directions that there is somewhere safe to leave it.

      You can still use Auspost but mark the box “do not safe drop” and have it signature on delivery because it will go to their nearest post office if no one is home as they have to collect a signature.

      With funds when eBay says it will pay it will transfer the money. No need to wait. Just do all the checks the other people here have been advising.

      When selling these types of items for future reference always quote item is as per images and any defects. Also advise that the machine was working when you had it but due to age etc no guarantee or warranty is offered. Because you never know when something might fail. That way the buyer generally can only claim defects aesthetically. You also get buyers with remorse and claim any defect to try and do a return. I one had a buyer who bought a squash racquet and broke it by smashing it against a wall and tried to claim it was defective. The thing is that wasn’t the intended purpose and luckily eBay backed me on that one.

      Hope it all goes well.

  • JownehFixIT on 15/03/2022 - 09:46
    +5

    The only experience I have with this is attempting to sell an old Macbook Pro. Buyer said they were happy to pay using PayPal, gave them my email address, they promptly "paid" and basically doctored up a dodgy PayPal email knockoff and sent me that. Looked legit, took the laptop to a courier who said they cannot post to a parcel locker, only residential or business address (should've been a major red flag at this point but I was pretty green I suppose, almost never post anything anywhere). Took it to an AusPost newsagent and got it all packed up and paid for shipping but they said it wouldn't send until later in the day. Had another engagement to rush off to so didn't have much time to scrutinise the email.

    On the drive to the next appointment, started to realise how dodgy it could have been. The name on the receiver address was totally different and unrelated to the person I'd been liaising with on Gumtree for example. So I rang the newsagent and said to not send it. Went back later and picked up the laptop and took it home.

    I debated with the phony buyer about how there were no funds in my PayPal, they tried to pretend to be angry for a while until the jig was obviously up, and then never replied again. I reported it all, email addresses, postal address and names and everything to the police. Nothing came of it obviously. They weren't entirely stupid, but they didn't get my laptop either.

  • cashless on 15/03/2022 - 09:47
    +1

    Paypal no longer looks after eBay payouts, so first poster above is not quite right.
    Ebay pays straight into your bank account.
    In my case I have recently sold 3 laptops after a long overdue clear out.
    All were lower values of $200 to $500 that I sold over three months.
    I was not paid by eBay until I had posted the items and put the tracking number up.
    In your case you say you won't post until payment clears - how do you manage that? Are you a super-user on eBay, in which case you should be giving me advice!
    Each of my laptops sold at auction after 7 days. I then took photos of it being packed and the packaging with address label and made sure I got proof of posting, tracking number and followed it through until delivery in each case.
    Like the above poster I also street viewed the delivery address in each case.
    Apart from one auction winner (with lots of history) claiming that "their son mistakenly made a bid" causing a re-listing, everything went smoothly in my case

  • CyberMurning on 15/03/2022 - 09:48
    +1

    Razer Blade 15 Advanced i7 32GB 2TB OLED 4K Touch Super RTX 2080.

    wow after ebay fees you still get 3000, is that really reasonable price ? imagine if you are a buyer, will you pay that amount? and then, as ozbargainer, will you pay that ?
    if you feel you as seller have just hit a jackpot there, then most likely the story will not end well….

  • pegaxs on 15/03/2022 - 09:48
    +6

    How I see this transaction going…

    • Item not as described

    "I WaS sEnT aN eMpTy BoX"

    or

    "CoMpuTeR WoNt TuRn On!!" *ships back their broken computer and keeps OP's good one*

    • CyberMurning on 15/03/2022 - 09:49
      +1

      correct. 1 feedback is easily become burner ebay account

  • stirlo on 15/03/2022 - 09:50
    +1

    I'd check the name of the buyer on social media and see if they seem legit.

    I bank deposited someone $600 for an iPad last month but I had her Facebook which was relatively public, I knew her town, her friends and her husbands business. Worst case I was prepared to drive to her relatively small town and confront them in person.

    About the only reason I can see for a 1 feedback account to not be a scammer is if its a kid who's buying something with their parents money. Send them a message and ask for the reason. See if they'll give you a phone call or facetime. If it seems legit send it.

    • Sambo69 on 15/03/2022 - 10:08

      Thanks.

      I will get some more details from the buyer.

  • Hithere on 15/03/2022 - 09:52
    +7

    The buyer has feedback of 1 and has been an Ebay member since 2017 but is located in another state.

    Red flag there.

    Everyone has to start somewhere but the chances of it being a hacked or burner eBay account are too high IMO.

    I'd be cancelling the sale - 'problems with buyer's address', and changing terms of sale to cash on pickup only.

  • Axelstrife on 15/03/2022 - 09:56
    +1

    The funds have now been paid out and I am waiting for them to hit my account before sending the laptop.

    Expect them contacting eBay about a non sent item., i don't blame them they've paid and now you are doing a super dodgy thing of not sending their item.

    Refund them and stop wasting their time.

    • Sambo69 on 15/03/2022 - 10:08

      Why would they say non-sent? They paid on Friday and the payment came through Monday into eBay. It was then sent for payout today to my account.

      I haven't had to provide any tracking or shipping info to ebay yet.

      Messages from ebay payout screen:

      Funds status
      Payout initiated
      15-Mar

      In progress
      15-Mar

      Funds sent
      15-Mar

      Payouts take 1 to 2 business days to arrive, depending on your bank.
      We'll provide the bank reference ID once it's available.

      • spc12go on 16/03/2022 - 10:24

        With eBay managed payment, once a buyer pays it’s considered paid. Doesn’t matter if it takes 2 or 3 days to hit your account, that’s eBay’s doing not the buyer.

        In your listing you would have stated item will be sent after how many days. It starts counting after the payment is sent not after it hits your account.

  • FloatingPoint on 15/03/2022 - 10:10
    +5

    I'd just cancelled the transaction already when I see 1 feedback. Sorry for newbies but I just couldn't trust that.
    Or send it and I'll see you next week on another thread - 'I got scammed on eBay what can I do'

  • AndyC1 on 15/03/2022 - 10:11
    +1

    Need to buy some popcorn.

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 15/03/2022 - 10:18
    +5

    I conclude one thing… If lots of stores are selling it sub3k, like centrecom, scorptec etc, then its still cheaper to buy from them and do up ssd/ram upgrade yourself
    https://www.centrecom.com.au/razer-blade-15-advanced-model-4…

    So why would a buyer risk it on a 2nd hand ebay item for $750 more?
    Id remove off ebay, and sell cash on pickup. You'll get considerably less but at least you get to keep the money and it wont be clawed back in a month

  • Hithere on 15/03/2022 - 10:19

    It seems that you've already made up your mind about what you are going to do anyway OP.

    Why bother asking for opinions and then ignoring the consensus?

    • Sambo69 on 15/03/2022 - 10:47

      ???

      Big assumption that I have made up my mind about what to do and am ignoring this thread.

      The reason I made this thread was to gather a consensus before I made my decision and whether there were any sure-fire ways to avoid the money being returned and the laptop being stolen from me.

      The consensus seems like there is no way that I could ensure that the money would not be taken back off me and the laptop stolen even with photo-proof, signature etc…

      I don't need the money and was simply looking to side-grade to a laptop with better battery life for work.

  • oscargamer on 15/03/2022 - 10:31

    Insure it when you post it.

  • Autonomic on 15/03/2022 - 10:34
    +5

    It's a big risk for $3000. I wouldn't do it personally. Take a hit and sell it locally.

  • resubaehtgnolhcs on 15/03/2022 - 10:36
    +3

    You'd think from all the posts on here about people getting scammed with this exact scenario, and the red flags that have been pointed out to OP, that OP would have his answer.

    I can't see this ending well if OP sends the laptop…

  • Sambo69 on 15/03/2022 - 10:50
    +5

    Thanks for all the replies guys!

    I will let the buyer know that unless he can organise pickup in person (maybe a mate in Melbourne) and cash on handover that I am not comfortable with the transaction and I will be refunding the money.

    • CrispyChrispy on 15/03/2022 - 11:03
      +1

      Better to be safe than sorry and potentially lose $3K. If it was under $100, sure, but not something worth that much.
      Wait a bit, a better/more reliable buyer will come by soon enough. Or just arrange a cash/pick up only.

  • Sambo69 on 15/03/2022 - 11:02
    +4

    For those who are preparing their popcorn:

    :)

    My message to the seller:

    I am going to cancel this sale. I am worried about your feedback of 1 on ebay and no recent purchases. I've also not been able to find any social media accounts based on your name. At this point I do not feel comfortable sending such a high value item as the risk of me being out $3k and the laptop is too great.

    If you would like to arrange local pickup and cash handover here in Melbourne I am happy to sell the laptop for $3k. You can contact me at xxx or SMS me on xxx.

    All the best,
    Sam

    Reply from Buyer:

    Please don't I paid for it and I need this laptop.

    I don't believe I am being unreasonable and have protected myself.

    • CrispyChrispy on 15/03/2022 - 11:04
      +3

      Refund then let it go. You don't owe him anything after you've refunded the money. Too much trouble to deal with potential scammers.

      • Sambo69 on 15/03/2022 - 11:20
        +1

        And a call and SMS from an Aussie mobile has come through:

        "Please Ship my item, I do buy on eBay I just been saving for this laptop and I did purchase it so I beg you, can you please Ship my laptop."

        • stirlo on 15/03/2022 - 11:23
          +1

          LOL, why does he need to beg you? But do have a chat and see what his story is…

          If he buys on ebay he'd have feedback…

          • Sambo69 on 15/03/2022 - 11:30

            @stirlo: Exactly!

            I may drag it out a bit just to see if he can give me the cash.

            Also, just received an email from him.

            "I paid for the laptop as promised so can you please ship it to me."

            Perhaps I should post the name I was given to see what OZB can uncover?

        • zonra on 15/03/2022 - 11:30
          +7

          The desperation in buyer’s response reeks of scam, a genuine buyer would probably be slightly pissed and just spend their money elsewhere. It’s not like you’re selling a limited collectable.
          I reckon you dodged a bullet there OP.
          I concur with the others here, for a 3k transaction, cash on pickup at a crowded public place.
          Sold my old laptop a few months back this way, and that was under 1k. The peace of mind was worth it, no charge backs, no Paypal disputes 6 months later, no “you shipped me a bunch of bricks” scams, no buyer’s remorse leading to bikies showing up at your house etc. you get the idea.

          P/s:
          5 year old eBay account with 500 positive feedbacks doesn’t mean much if it’s hijacked.

        • Sambo69 on 15/03/2022 - 11:33
          -1

          Ebay name: <Mod: personal info>
          Ebay account: bradszta

          Email from: Brad <Personal info> <[email protected]>

          Delivery location <personal info>

          • MS Paint on 15/03/2022 - 11:59
            +2

            @Sambo69: I don't think it's appropriate to post this.

            If you're not comfortable just cancel the transaction FFS.

          • Heaps for Cheaps on 15/03/2022 - 12:04
            +2

            @Sambo69: Just send him an email that you are refunding the money, and do the refund as a refund.

            My policy on scammers now is I don't make further contact, because as sweet as it may be to let them know the holes in their story, it enables them to fix said holes and have more success with other victims.

            Gmail is also a spammers paradise as you can't trace IP's from the header so harder to distinguish red flags.

          • Heaps for Cheaps on 15/03/2022 - 12:07
            +2

            @Sambo69: It's odd he has a anglo name and then the email comes from a Japanese name which matches his ID's across FB/insta/youtube etc, and the guy doesn't live in Aus…

          • Moderatorscrimshaw on 15/03/2022 - 12:08

            @Sambo69: Please avoid sharing real names and other personal data, as it may encourage witch hunting. (It does more harm than good.)

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/03/2022 - 12:14
            +1

            @Sambo69: I wonder if this is the guy here and here as he recently got a part share compo payout from the government of $270k lol

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 15/03/2022 - 12:05
      +1

      100% you're doing the right thing. Massive red flag.

    • WT on 16/03/2022 - 07:45

      seems suspect but I also dont have any social media under my name

  • godofpizza on 15/03/2022 - 12:21
    +2

    don't. Ebay will side the buyer. even if they're 100% in the wrong.
    I've had a buyer return a camera ( which was sold as parts) being returned as 'not working'. it's a joke, as i have to fork out for postage to return the item or they get to keep it.wtf

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