Selling a desktop computer (£600-£700 value), anything to be aware of to avoid being scammed?

[pinkychukkles]

I've got a mac mini that I want to sell, is there anything I need to be aware of before listing it? E.g. is it overkill to take a continuous video of it being packed to avoid being accused of shipping a house brick? I'll have a note of the serial number, which will also be in the listing, does that mitigate against someone sending back a different mac mini?

Dunno if I'm over-thinking this but forwarned is forearmed. Am assuming with SD, the risk is on eBay / Rm / Evri is if get mis-delivered, left on a doorstep, chucked over the fence etc. etc.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[roger_roger_over_and_nowt]

"is it overkill to take a continuous video of it being packed to avoid being accused of shipping a house brick?".

All that would do is prove you packed a laptop,it wouldn't prove you actually sent it.

Unfortunately there is no way that you can avoid being scammed 100%.

[pinkychukkles]

Understood. I wasn't perhaps as clear, I meant the whole packing and addressing process, sticking a label on. Something that, if a buyer was challenged to show the packaging they received, could be linked to what you show in a video.

But I take your point, scammers gonna scam and if you're unlucky then 🤷‍ not much you can do about it. 

Perhaps my title should have asked for any commonsense tips over and above what you normally do for items <£50 value, to reduce the likelihood of being a victim. 

[tressygirl]

Keeping the serial number is a good thing,  but I would also photograph that serial number so it's showing clearly as a photo on your listing , add it in your description too, so this would help should a case be opened and another computer sent back, it might also deter a scammer from buying it in the first place,  if that was their plan.

Another tip is to Only send to the name and address eBay provide on the delivery order for the item, and to no other,  no matter what the plea or excuse is from the buyer. Should another address be requested,  cancel the order citing Problem with Buyer' Address,  this then doesn't affect your seller performance, and block the buyer from returning.

The link below is a good one to have , to block any nuisance buyer from returning by adding their ID here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/bmgt/BuyerBlock?

Thankfully,  there are more good people than ' bad'  on eBay,  as in any walk of life,  but that aside, yes there are scammers,  so wise to take as many precautions as possible.

@pinkychukkles 

[pinkychukkles]

Thanks @tressygirl, I do have screenshots with the serial number clearly visible and one of it on the box too.

Strangely, as I doing the draft it says that "Simple Delivery is unavailable for this item". When I click on the more info link, it isn't clear why as this isn't in the list of excluded categories. I was expecting it to be and looking forward to eBay taking responsibility for it once I handed it over to either RM or Evri! 😁

[tressygirl]

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@pinkychukkles wrote:

Thanks @tressygirl, I do have screenshots with the serial number clearly visible and one of it on the box too.

Strangely, as I doing the draft it says that "Simple Delivery is unavailable for this item". When I click on the more info link, it isn't clear why as this isn't in the list of excluded categories. I was expecting it to be and looking forward to eBay taking responsibility for it once I handed it over to either RM or Evri! 😁

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Oh that's interesting and needs clearing up before proceeding.  Perhaps items / categories are constantly being updated  added to the SD exemption list , but you need confirmation if computers are now excluded.

Tagging  Community Manager kat@ebay  can you help here please.  Are computers excluded from Simple Delivery?

@pinkychukkles 

[lucy_farmer]

'Strangely, as I doing the draft it says that "Simple Delivery is unavailable for this item'

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The postive of this is you can send it with R.M. Special Delivery. 

With that service, you know it won't get chucked over a fence, lobbed in a wheelie bin on recycling day, left up against a door in the rain, or in full view of every passing scally in the street to nick it, or delivered to an unidentifiable house.

Special Del is taken care of *properly* and will get a signature and a name on delivery.

[pinkychukkles]

Thanks, in my draft, I have set-up a new postage policy with just that option. SD for Special Delivery FTW not Simple Delivery! 😜

[style_wise]

To add to excellent advice received, eBay will not look at your video unless it is included in the listing. Some people do this, or take a pic of the boxed item on a scale for weight. Both of these may help if you need to open an appeal in eBay, but there is little you can do to stop an actual scammer. Luckily these are rare!