Safe to pay by Bank Transfer on Gumtree?

Belenus

akira181 said:......

This one is cheap enough that even if it gets blacklisted, I still have uses for it that I wouldn't consider it to be a waste of money. As such, I still think it's worth the gamble and that's why I'm ignoring the advice I didn't ask for, as I'm already aware and deemed them not applicable in this specific case.

It is cheap for a reason. That reason is to sucker in people who can't resist a bargain, are willing to ignore the obvious risks and are willing to be scammed.

This is almost certainly a scam. The chance that it isn't is so remote that it is not worth risking even £20.

Listen to the advice you have been given. Don't throw away £20 on a bank transfer. Wait until Friday and then ask if the phone is still available and then only buy it face to face for cash.

There are plenty of other phones available from honest sources.

BlueonBlue

Hope is a four letter word .

"I asked whether or not bank transfer has any buyer protection, as logically it would make sense."
Your mistaken from the get go .

Being mistaken and a gambler is highly negative to ones bank balance and possibly your health .
Its just a matter of time .

akira181

I haven't even stated what the phone costs nor have I asked people if they think it's a scam. I can make that judgement myself and I'm in a better position to do so with more information than I've provided in this thread. Good deals aren't some sort of mythical unicorn (although it is a minefield) and everything else seems to check out, so i think the risk is acceptable. Buying privately is never risk free and it's naive to think otherwise.

I've bought at least 6 phones off private marketplaces over the years, 4 of which were flagship devices at the time. All for easily 50% under RRP. I've only had problems with one device, which wasn't even all that cheap, but luckily managed to sort it. So it's not my first rodeo and even if I lose this time, I've still easily saved well in excess of £2000 over the years.

Price alone is not a valid indicator of legitimacy. A seller could easily charge full RRP and then execute their scam to maximise profit. There's a significant number of factors to consider. I haven't provided anywhere near enough information for anyone to be able to make a remotely informed decision on the legitimacy of the ad/seller as it's not my question.

All I wanted to know was whether or not any banks have brought their policies towards this side of the century yet and provided their customers some actual security when using banking services. People are too quick to make assumptions without all the information just to give their potentially inaccurate 2 cents sometimes. While the sentiment is appreciated, it's nevertheless off topic.

pinkshoes

akira181 said:

All I wanted to know was whether or not any banks have brought their policies towards this side of the century yet and provided their customers some actual security when using banking services. People are too quick to make assumptions without all the information just to give their potentially inaccurate 2 cents sometimes. While the sentiment is appreciated, it's nevertheless off topic.

Yes, they have brought their policies towards this side of the century and provide security.

The app clearly asks who you are sending the money to, and makes you tick to acknowledge that you know the person or business you are sending the money to and to the best of your knowledge it is not a scam. 

If you want security, you buy from a business and use a credit/debit card. Banks are much more likely to trust a business than some random selling a phone and wanting cash.

For private transactions, then you have to use your own common sense:
1. Don't pay anything until you have seen the goods working.
2. Collect from the person's home or place of work, and make sure they PROVE that is where they actually live/work before paying. Ask for some ID showing their name and address.

That way, if it does go wrong, you have a good starting point to take them to court.

If they are not willing to prove their identity then you make a choice to either take the risk or walk away.

retiredbanker1

I bet you and dozens more will pay a 'deposit' for this incredible offer for the phone - you turn up at an address to find the occupier knows nothing about it and sends you packing with a flea in your ear.

How many £20 deposits do you think a criminal needs to have a very good Christmas?

The fraudulent amount by itself is small will the police bother to chase up the crime for you? Probably not!

Belenus

I believe every word of that story.

Belenus

Don't be a snarky puss. 

I was merely expressing my belief in your tale about how clever and astute you are. 

I found it very credible and not at all fictitious.

retiredbanker1

In the bleak Christmas we Wise men (and women) stepped in and helped you from yourself LOL

[Deleted User]

OP,  How did you get on tracking down your friend you met up with - you lost their address and can't find them again ?

Vectis

akira181 said:

...I know what I'm doing when buying privately and I have more information than what's in this thread to make an proper informed choice...

Which is obviously why you came on here asking for advice?

Take a step back and admit that it had scam written all over it. Maybe you got lucky, maybe you didn't, it's immaterial to the rest of us, but would you do the same thing again if requested by a seller? Hopefully not.