Is it worth buying TV on gumtree?

fantasyvn

I found that on gumtree (London), many are selling TVs, ranging from old CRT to used LCD versions.

Has anyone bought it this way? Was it a good experience or something you should avoid?

busenbust

Would you be protected from any fraud? Would your bank protect you as a counter-party if you bought in this way? Why not, say, EBay?

duncan303

Unless you know a bit more about televisions than how to watch them, then I would say never pay more than you can afford to loose.

Populated PCB circuitry can sometimes be unforgiving about changes in environment, so you may find something that works in situ having been there for some time, is unforgiving about being manhandled.

A judicious clout on the side may get you going, but try not to assume that the seller who has told you it is very reliable and has never had a problem is lying; if after you have been lugging it about on the tube etc you plug it in at home and it stares back at you blankly.


..

JasX

LCDs and Plasma's will have a finite life so be sure to factor its age into the price.... there will probably be a fair few deals on reasonable brand new flat screens in the sales (32" Samsung series 4 going for £310 odd I've seen so far)

However if you're just after something functional and small for say an extra set in the study/kitchen/bedroom and if its cheap (£20-30ish) how far wrong can you go?

...just don't expect built in freeview

ben500

Just now there is big a problem on Gumtree with at least one individual fleecing many individuals of their hard earned cash, uv forums have a list of these victims and the total runs into thousands of pounds, I'd be very wary of making any purchases on there until this rogue or rogues is located and stopped.

JasX

ben500 wrote: »

Just now there is big a problem on Gumtree with at least one individual fleecing many individuals of their hard earned cash, uv forums have a list of these victims and the total runs into thousands of pounds, I'd be very wary of making any purchases on there until this rogue or rogues is located and stopped.

yes, obv I'd only consider transacting in cash on collection/delivery with zero protection private sales like this be it on gumtree or any other newspaper/classified type ads.

Also gives you a good chance of insisting whatever you're collecting/having dropped off is plugged in and proved working before handing over your cash....

nomoneytoday

Gumtree is just the selling mechanism. The product will be as good or bad as the seller...

Bowling_4_Gold

Had many good experiences on Gumtree, some bad.

ALWAYS pay in CASH, never Western Union or anything like that.

Inspect the item as much as you can, and if you are happy, go through with the sale. Remember - there is nothing to stop you walking away.

fantasyvn

Thank you for all your kind information. For me, many TV ads on gumtree seem to give too high a price. However, there are a few precious things to buy, if you are quick and careful enough. Last week, I missed a 2006 LCD TV, which I thought was a decent TV.