Any risks selling a laptop on ebay?

harveybobbles

Just upgraded my laptop and would like to sell my old one.. Just had a look on CEX and they would give £91 for a "B" grade one, which is what this probably is.

Just wondering if its worth sticking it on ebay for 140 BIN/Best Offer.

Never sold a laptop before so not really sure if ebay is the way to go with it or just stick in on facebook for £120.

OR just go to CEX and its done and dusted.

Flyonthewall

There's a risk either way.

First of all, no matter how you sell it, wipe the hard drive. If possible wipe all data and reinstall the operating system on it.

Second, with CEX there's always the possiblity of them saying they don't have cash and/or that the condition isn't the rating you think it should be. I would suggest taking it to a store rather than going through the online trade-in so you can make sure it's not damaged at all.

If you sell it on ebay you risk it being damaged in transit, buyer complaining it doesn't work and all the other usual risks of ebay.

Facebook or Gumtree is the better option for more cash, but you're likely to get timewasters and people haggling on price.

robatwork

Ebay but collect only cash in hand is how I'd do it.
If you post the exact model on the technical board you will get an honest valuation.

chickendipperbabe

I would totally avoid eBay.

Gumtree - cash in hand every time for me.

Its risky selling anything of value on eBay these days, used electronics seem to attract trouble and you're open to a PayPal dispute for upto 180 days after purchase.

forgotmyname

CEX is quick and simple, But its worth a try on gumtree or in the local shop window maybe.

Its easy to recover deleted data so you do need to be careful on what was on it originally.

soolin

robatwork wrote: »

Ebay but collect only cash in hand is how I'd do it.
If you post the exact model on the technical board you will get an honest valuation.

Unfortunately there is no way of guaranteeing any buyer will opt for cash on collection, the listing will show paypal as default. If buyer refuses to pay cash after winning the FVFs costs alone would be an issue, let alone any poor feedback.

marleyboy

I would advise on replacing the HD with a new one. Any data you think can be deleted can also be recovered, even after a full format.

robatwork

soolin wrote: »

Unfortunately there is no way of guaranteeing any buyer will opt for cash on collection, the listing will show paypal as default. If buyer refuses to pay cash after winning the FVFs costs alone would be an issue, let alone any poor feedback.

Agreed you can't turn the paypal option off, but most buyers I have had come collect have understood my descriptions like "Cash on collection only, please don't pay by paypal". This probably breaks Ebay rules but so far I haven't had a listing pulled.

pulliptears

Also the risk of buyer buying for parts. Need a new screen? Buy working laptop, swap out good screen and return as faulty.

skintpaul

Maybe better to sell without hard drive - advertise as such, let people try out, before removing!

paddyrg

skintpaul wrote: »

Maybe better to sell without hard drive - advertise as such, let people try out, before removing!

Indeed, however a £100-ish laptop isn't going to attract the level of experience that would fancy installing a £40 hard drive and fresh-installing an OS