How to reliably sell an expensive computer?

[Demon Hunter]

With updates only a day away (maybe) I am at least daydreaming about new models. But it seems like there's no good way to sell a computer these days.

PayPal and eBay are riddled with scams, huge fees and uncertainty. Are money orders/checks/cashier's checks ever safe? What steps are needed to make sure they are "completely cleared"? I don't want to take any chances.

 

[cubist]

I don't understand why the computer stores haven't followed the example of car dealers in developing a used computer market to prop up values of used computers. Certainly the inability to sell a used computer must hurt sales of new machines.

For a fairly expensive computer, Paypal can be scary, but I've done it a couple of times with good success. Otherwise you can ask around your circle of friends and relatives.

 

[SharksFan22]

Actually, I've sold three laptops for more than $1,000 each with no problems on eBay. I think to help mitigate scams, use PayPal and require payment before shipping. I've done that, and taken pictures of the box as I pack it, seal it and the final delivery to UPS and then sent the pics to the buyer. No problems whatsoever.

 

[iEdd]

Bank Checks, as they're already payed for and it guarantees the money

 

[Demon Hunter]

Thanks for the helpful info! Maybe I'll just sell it on MR and require a Bank Check.

I don't understand why the computer stores haven't followed the example of car dealers in developing a used computer market to prop up values of used computers. Certainly the inability to sell a used computer must hurt sales of new machines.

No kidding, especially considering the average PC has a lifecycle of 13-weeks (and we complain about our updates...). Maybe you have a million dollar idea there.

 

[PigDog]

Bank checks are your best bet, but make sure it is real, look at the name of the bank call them and ask if the check was issued by them for the said amount, and it has no stops or hold, Same with money orders. Wire transfer bank to bank is good, but still it can be reversed if in error. My favorite way of recieving payment was and still is a USPS postal order. You can cash it at your local postoffice, They are checked by the post office when you are cashing it. Yes conmen do modify USPS postal oders but if they pay it at your postoffice you are OK to ship the merchandise.

 

[ipacmm]

If I was selling it through ebay, I would only accept money orders and only ship to the USA. It will make sure that you get your money. I personally wouldn't sell a computer through ebay with paypal, the last time I did that, I was out a new laptop and $1,800...thanks to paypal and ebay.

So I would watch out and only accept money orders if you are going to sell it on ebay or anywhere on an online auction.

 

[hamster]

craigslist.com -- make the deal locally.

 

[grapes911]

Bank Checks, as they're already payed for and it guarantees the money

Thanks for the helpful info! Maybe I'll just sell it on MR and require a Bank Check.

Same goes for a Money Order.

 

[longmanzz]

I have a related questions:
As a seller, how do I prevent a fraud by the buyer. I had experience on Amazon.com. I sold a laptop to someone in FL. Then half month later, he told the monitor, the optical drive, the fan are all not working. So I took it back and was ready to refund him money but i was so suprized that why my baby suddently had so many illness. I then noticed it was not the item i sent to him. So I refused to refund him money and reported to Amazon while he reported to Amazon saying I sent him a defected item. Amazon trusted him and charged me the refund.
So I wanna know, on ebay, or anywhere else, how to prevent this happening.

 

[Macky-Mac]

...So I would watch out and only accept money orders if you are going to sell it on ebay or anywhere on an online auction.

of course every time there's a thread here about ebay scams, it's pointed out that you shouldnt BUY using a money order because it's one of the things that scamming sellers always ask for......the buyer sends a money order and then the seller vanishes without sending the product

just saying you'll only except money orders is considered a sign of a possible scam and many potential serious buyers wont consider bidding for that reason alone