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Mediaman_12 · Jan 29, 2006, 02:43 PM

Ok so I put my G5 PowerMac on ebay (just got an intel iMac instead). I put a high 'Buy it Now' on of £1,000, (hay if some one wants to pay over the odds that's not my problem. You can get a NEW 2Ghz G5 for £1400).
Instead of the usual few questions, some low bids and a load of watchers in the first few days, I guy in Greece hitting the 'Buy it Now', despite me stating CLEARLY i will not ship outside the UK.
He first asks if 'his girlfriend in the UK' can pick it up. I reply wit a yes, but with a load of conditions (Cash, pick up at my place, etc.). He then says he will get a flight over here to pick it up.
This is ringing alarm bells in my head, how can it possibly be 'good value' to get a flight all the way across Europe (He says he will get a flight on the first of Feb, so it's not as if he's going to get a good deal on a low cost carrier), and pay over the odds for a almost 1year old Mac, and possibly get stung with excess baggage on the return (the thing weighs almost 30Kg's)?
So is this some sort of scam, especially as he has NO ebay feedback?

andreas_g4 · Jan 29, 2006, 02:47 PM

Weird. Sorry that I can't be of any help, but this sounds really really strange…

davidflas · Jan 29, 2006, 02:49 PM

That does sound very odd... I'd say let him do it, but only take cash for payment. About a year ago I sold a G5 on ebay, a guy from Russia used buy-it- now to end the auction. He paid promptly by paypal despite the $500USD shipping costs from the US to Russia. Before I shipped it, the real owner of the paypal account got in touch with me, I'm glad I was cautious and dragged my feet for a few days before sending the Powermac out. Now I only allow bidders from US and Canada to bid on my auctions. Your situation seems like a scam, so I'd do an in person transaction only, cash payment only in Pounds. Have somebody else there in case he thinks he's going to pull a fast one on you.

Peter · Jan 29, 2006, 02:58 PM

using cash means no buyer protection?

SirCastor · Jan 29, 2006, 03:08 PM

It does sound bizzare, but maybe he's desparate (I don't know why..) Take cash only, and I'd say have him sign a purchase agreement stating that it's sold as-is, no warranties, sale is final, etc. Just make sure you're not liable for anything.

Tesseract · Jan 29, 2006, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by Peter

using cash means no buyer protection?

Exactly.

Mediaman is selling the PowerMac. By requiring payment in cash, he's sure to get the money before handing over the Mac.

olePigeon · Jan 29, 2006, 03:30 PM

Tell him to send you a Cashier's Cheque or Money Order. Deposit it, wait 7 days (or however long it takes for cheques to clear there, JUST in case it's a forgery) then ship it.

Or do Escrow.

Mediaman_12 · Jan 29, 2006, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

Tell him to send you a Cashier's Cheque or Money Order. Deposit it, wait 7 days (or however long it takes for cheques to clear there, JUST in case it's a forgery) then ship it.

Or do Escrow.

The guy is offering to FLY over here to pick it up and PAY CASH (UK pounds)?

moonmonkey · Jan 29, 2006, 03:57 PM

what could go wrong?

ReggieX · Jan 29, 2006, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mediaman_12

So is this some sort of scam, especially as he has NO ebay feedback?

Ding ding. You should NEVER put anything remotely expensive for auction on eBay to anyone with zero feedback. It's one of the options.

lavar78 · Jan 29, 2006, 04:10 PM

Yep. Don't sell it to him on GP. Also, stop misusing apostrophes.

Mediaman_12 · Jan 29, 2006, 06:23 PM

Going to have more problems. In his last mail he just said what great value it is as £500, er no he's paying £1000. He says he was going to come over to see he girlfriend, so that part is sort of plausible