buying tech on eBay

wallofbeans

I haven't looked at buying tech stuff on eBay before as my assumption is that almost everything is some kind of scam. Weirdly, I have bought through classified ads on forums though and had no problems at all as I've always been very careful.

I'm currently looking for a new MacBook Pro and having no luck on my usual forum classifieds and looked at eBay. I found something pretty good that has a 'buy it now' price and a 'best offer'. It seems legitimate and has warranty remaining (I checked the serial number at the Apple site and it matches up) so works for me.

I'm still worried that it could be a scam though. But am I protected if it is? I would pay by PayPal and if I don't get it, or get something different than advertised, I'll get my money back, right?

And does that mean, it's worth risking? With that protection, it actually seems like less of a risk than buying from forum classified ads.... or have I got this all wrong?

This would be my first time spending a large amount of money on eBay so I'm a little nervous...

Thanks all.

Browntoa

Does the seller have high feedback ?

wallofbeans

Browntoa wrote: »

Does the seller have high feedback ?

Yes - 1857 times - 100% positive!

soolin

I'm assuming a business, and do they say if you get any warranty? eBay and PayPal don't cover warranties if item develops a fault later down the line, which is something to consider.

mrcol1000

With PayPal you are more covered than handing over cash through a classified ad. Even someone with excellent feedback can have their account hacked and used for no good.


Really though, as long as you are careful, use PayPal and walk away if it seems too good to be true then you will be alright.

wallofbeans

soolin wrote: »

I'm assuming a business, and do they say if you get any warranty? eBay and PayPal don't cover warranties if item develops a fault later down the line, which is something to consider.

It says it still has Apple warranty as it was only bought in October 2016 (from very.co.uk). There is a photo of the specs on the box and the serial number matches what it says it is on the Apple site. I'd get AppleCare as soon as I got it.

wallofbeans

mrcol1000 wrote: »

With PayPal you are more covered than handing over cash through a classified ad. Even someone with excellent feedback can have their account hacked and used for no good.


Really though, as long as you are careful, use PayPal and walk away if it seems too good to be true then you will be alright.

So paying by PayPal is the best option? And are you suggesting if I pay and then think something is up, I can get my money back?

It'll only be too good to be true if he accepts my best offer! The buy it now price is not a great deal.

forgotmyname

Even with paypal its not an extended warranty. If it fails months down the line your going to rely on the seller mostly.

Are they a proper shop with a proper landline and proper email address not a throwaway mobile and email?

Bought on very just last year so possibly bought on credit and sold before paying?

SpammyTheSpammer

If it develops problems subsequently, after the 3 month period?

Haffiana

OP, as you rightly understand, the first years's warranty will be honoured by Apple irrespective of whether the seller is a business or not. The warranty lies with the machine, not the buyer.

Pay by Paypal. When you receive the item then check it thoroughly. Fortunately most newer Macbooks can't easily be opened, so you shouldn't have the worry of the hard drive or memory being swapped out, but check it thoroughly - that it charges properly, that the connectors work, and that the serial number and other details on the 'about this mac' menu when you boot it up matches that on the box. If you are not happy then you can raise a 'not as described' complaint and return the item tracked, and get your money back. Info about how to do this safely is in the stickies of this board.

forgotmyname

Will it be warranted without proof of purchase? What if it turns out not to be a UK machine? Will the Check the OP did show that?