Opening a PayPal Dispute after Purchasing Second Hand GPU

DonkyWonky on 24/11/2022 - 21:17
Last edited 25/11/2022 - 11:24 by 1 other user

Hi all,

Just wanted t get everyone's quick thoughts,

I am the buyer in this situation, I purchased a second hand GPU via gumtree, I know sounds dodgy already, I was willing to take the risk as current prices are insane. Anyway the seller seemed respectable and even has multiple highly rated reviews.

Description was along the lines of:

No issues, bought less than 1 year ago from Umart.

I message them and we end up agreeing on a price after some back and fourth. Payment is then the next question, they state "I accept PayID or Bank Deposit and will ship same day. Can accept PayPal but only as "Sending to a Friend" unless you willing to pay the fees. Let me know either way."

I dont like the sound of this and reply Im happy to purchase through paypal as long as its through sale/service not family and friends, this way I have buyer protection. Anyway we agree on this and i send the money using the sale/service option through paypal.

The next day i get a message with a tracking number and things are looking good.

Item arrives, i open it up and the entire heat sink and surrounding area is rusted and corroded to shit. Like one of the worst condition GPUs ive seen, especially a "1 year old one"

I message them and say that i not happy, they then call me and say that its only minimal rust and cosmetic. Just want to note that none of the photos showed this rust or corrosion and it definitely wasn't mentioned in the description otherwise i wouldn't have purchased it.

I have now opened a PayPal dispute and hoping to get my money back, I havent even plugged it into my PC because i refuse to use a card in that condition. They reply to my dispute going on about it only being cosmetic rust and Asus uses bad materials, they live near the ocean and what not, also about getting their solicitors involved.

Anyway I provided my evidence and Im hoping it works out in my favour, I'd be happy to send the card back if i get my money back but i suspect they will probably just try and sell it again to another unlucky buyer.

I sure as hell wont be buying any second hand electronics for a while ad this is the first time I ever have. Things felt wrong from the beginning and i should have just gone with my gut.

Who is in the wrong here?

Computing Computer Component Video Card

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closed Comments

  • trapper on 24/11/2022 - 21:37
    +3

    Let's see a photo then.

    • DonkyWonky on 24/11/2022 - 21:43
      +4

      Fair call, I've packaged it back up now but here is a photo a took earlier: https://imgur.com/VxOHCLo

      Let me know your thoughts.

      • FireRunner on 24/11/2022 - 22:33
        +1

        That looks nasty.
        Try for a refund through PayPal. Not certain it will work but it’s worth a shot.

      • trapper on 24/11/2022 - 22:54

        Yeah that is terrible

        • DonkyWonky on 24/11/2022 - 22:56

          thats what i thought, if it was really minimal id probably just cop it on the chin but that looks like obvious water damage right?

          • trapper on 24/11/2022 - 22:59

            @DonkyWonky: His story about the salt air could be true, but he should have been upfront about this in the listing.

            Instead of trying to rip someone off…

            • DonkyWonky on 24/11/2022 - 23:06

              @trapper: Possibly, but I've never seen that sort of damage within a year from living near the ocean. Anyway i guess anything is possible…

  • Eeples on 24/11/2022 - 21:49
    +2

    Most likely they have the grump because Paypal has or will suspend the seller's Paypal account.

    Get your money back and then send it back registered and insured.

    Your postage/insurance cost is your bloody nose for using gumtree (no offense).

    • DonkyWonky on 24/11/2022 - 21:51
      +1

      Yeah agreed, I never thought id be buying an expensive GPU off gumtree. my bad there tbh… :/

      • Franc-T on 24/11/2022 - 22:31

        Your username is at odds with the story lol.

        In any event:
        Does it work?
        If it does work…..put it through some benchmarks for an hour if it works its probably fine.

        Im suspecting this is a mining GPU that someone cleaned with air duster or water (Either will cause condensation, rust can happen really quickly)

  • cookie2 on 24/11/2022 - 21:52
    +1

    Do you have their online sale images from Gumtree?

    • DonkyWonky on 24/11/2022 - 22:04
      +1

      Stupidly only took two screenshots on my phone of the item listed, its really hard to so but its definitely not obvious that there is rust.

  • Transient on 24/11/2022 - 21:52
    +1

    Lucky you took copies of the seller's photos before they were taken down.

    When I read about the rust it reminded me of this story: https://www.pcgamer.com/power-washing-your-gpu-seems-like-a-…

  • Elppa8 on 24/11/2022 - 22:02
    +1

    You did say, “ I was willing to take the risk “ on a Gumtree item. And you did. So while the seller might be doing a dodgy you can’t really complain too much as you were prepared to take that risk.

    • DonkyWonky on 24/11/2022 - 22:06
      +2

      Thats a fair point, I'm not too sure what i really meant by that apart from the fact something like this could happen, either way i don't think it excuses the seller.

  • garetz on 24/11/2022 - 22:19
    +1

    Buying on gumtree gives you absolutely 0 buyer protection on paypal, even if you pay the extra fees.

    post a picture would be helpful, if its surface rust that can be cleaned or actually corroded metal rust.

    • DonkyWonky on 24/11/2022 - 22:48

      I read otherwise as long as the item is shipped and not purchased in person. Its not super clear, gumtree and PayPal do have a partnership though.

      • MS Paint on 24/11/2022 - 23:11

        That sounds like the old eBay conditions

      • garetz on 24/11/2022 - 23:25

        Have you seen every other thread about someone being ripped off on gumtree ?

        People say cash on pickup only when dealing with anyone on gumtree for a very good reason.

        Also once an item is sold, the seller has no more responsibility, they are not a retailer, so you are basically buying blind.

        If paypal does in fact intercede on your behalf that is great, as from what you said it is definitely an omission is admission of guilt type of situation.
        However i very much doubt paypal will do anything.

  • MS Paint on 24/11/2022 - 22:37
    +2

    Waiting for the seller to appear on ozbargain like last time this happened.

    Grabs popcorn

    this way I have buyer protection

    Lol. No you don't. What gives you that idea? With Gumtree it's promoted as an easy way to pay not a buyer protected way to pay. They even tell you to meet face to face.

    Once you’ve met face to face and agreed on the price, simply enter or confirm the amount the in Gumtree app and click to complete payment.

    Source

    Unless the seller agrees to refund you then you ain't seeing shit my friend.

    • DonkyWonky on 24/11/2022 - 22:51

      Fair call, I actually confirmed with a PayPal worker before sending the money that I will have buyer protection using the sale/item option when sending money but we will see. Item was posted so i couldn't inspect in person obviously.

      • MS Paint on 24/11/2022 - 22:54

        Do you have that in writing?

        I'm surprised they would commit to that. Probably some weekend foreign contractor who was just trying to keep a customer happy.

        • DonkyWonky on 24/11/2022 - 22:54

          Nope, called on monday and asked her to send me an email but she said it would be fine what not…

          • randomusername2017 on 24/11/2022 - 23:25

            @DonkyWonky: Not sure of the current situation.. but have previously(3yrs) had a case found in my favour from a gumtree/paypal transaction.

            • DonkyWonky on 25/11/2022 - 08:33

              @randomusername2017: Thanks for the input good to know, nothing new as of yet, its a slow process I believe, the seller responded to my dispute saying pretty much what i mentioned in the post. I'll just continue to provide evidence.

  • Mikefr on 24/11/2022 - 23:05

    So much for sellers “Full Disclosure”, hoping this is resolve in a positive manner for the purchaser.

  • dscott85 on 24/11/2022 - 23:29

    Reminds me of a second hand car I nearly bought. I noted some minimal signs of rust on this car I was really taken by, dealer said it’s only “cosmetic”, the car won’t be here long, etc.

    I very nearly bought it outright, but thought I’m not 100 percent sure about this.

    So I paid to have it checked out & apparently it was beyond bad under the paint with the mechanic’s report saying large sections of the car frame were structurally unsound from extensive rusting.

    The past owner had apparently just given it a really good paint job prior to trade in. I asked what next, do you fix up the car - nope off to the wreckers that afternoon.

    Thus, I am now wary of people who talk about “cosmetic” rust.

    Hope you get a good resolution Op, the seller certainly wasn’t being honest in their description of the condition of the item. But as others have said, Gumtree doesn’t leave buyers with much recourse once the money is exchanged.

  • Overclocked91 on 25/11/2022 - 08:01

    Definitely open a dispute and you will get your money back. Paypal always cites with the Buyer. It happened to me with a phone.

    • MS Paint on 25/11/2022 - 09:01

      On Gumtree or eBay?

      • Overclocked91 on 25/11/2022 - 09:38

        Long story but but was sold direct after buyer saw on ebay

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