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I think I got a great deal!

Bocheememon

Bocheememon

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 1, 2006
127
0
Fertile, MN
I'm so nervous, I hope it's safe. A lot of users have purchased from him with high feedback scores.

I got this!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9722567695&ssPageName=Action:MPS

I currently own a Mac Mini 2gb 1.67. I was looking to find a case to hold my computer setup in for my study abroad art program in New York. I'm from small town North Dakota, so I'm new to the city! I was preparing to buy an Ilugger and lug around my mac mini and display to the art study and to my home there, but now that I found a laptop for that price, I just said screw it! For 1300, I couldn't say no, and maybe I could get a better resale for it when I can afford a 17inch MBP.

I paid using paypal.

What do you guys think?

*crosses fingers*
 
OK, first, its a good computer, I am a little more concerned with the seller because they have relatively few people in the feedback, luckily its only a long shipping conflict and not a defective product.

Did you ask for any additional photos before hand? Sometimes small scratches go unnoticed, did you ask about dead pixels?

anyway, its a good price imo, I hope all the best on your purchase!
 
Whee~!

He provided the serial number etc. Would the dead pixels be ok under warranty? I had lcd's replaced on my tibook years ago, but I don't know if Apple is pretty tight on that policy these days.
 
I saw that, almost bought it -- but all the feedback is from sellers, not buyers, and the account hasn't bought anything for a year.

I also sent a message and it wasn't replied to so I figured better safe than sorry.

I hope it comes through -- it's a great deal if so.
 
Be careful, verify who the seller is. He has never sold anything before on eBay, and he has no activity since March 2005 -- over a year! Read the Feedback

Allovasudden he has a near new top of the line 17" Powerbook (and a $2200 engine tester) selling for WAY below market price on Buy it now. ($1300 vs $2000 on Apple Refurb store)

I'm thinking *possible* account hijack here.
The serial number image and the box image could have been poached from another auction.

You are NOT protected with PayPal buyer protection on this seller, as far as I can see
If it was me, I would insist on an escrow service of my choosing.

On shipping, you're going to want shipping insurance, signature, waybill number.

Get the seller's address and phone number and see if they check out on whitepages.com

I hope it's all OK and you get the machine -- but PLEASE do all your due dilligence.
 
hmm..

edit: Gotta repost.

I checked the payment, shippers address, e-mail, and etc through Paypal and Ebay accounts. They match with the address. It was purchased in January 24th, so it should have been owned for 3months instead of 2.

If I get screwed, can I get a refund through pay pal or am I SOL?
 
Bocheememon said:
Well,I
Click to expand...

There's a lot of cautionary advice here that I understand, but don't let it get you down, you could (and I'll say probably) will end up with a great computer at a great deal. :)
 
Bocheememon said:
edit: Gotta repost.

I checked the payment, shippers address, e-mail, and etc through Paypal and Ebay accounts. They match with the address. It was purchased in January 24th, so it should have been owned for 3months instead of 2.

If I get screwed, can I get a refund through pay pal or am I SOL?
Click to expand...

SOL:(
 
Bocheememon said:
edit: Gotta repost.

I checked the payment, shippers address, e-mail, and etc through Paypal and Ebay accounts. They match with the address. It was purchased in January 24th, so it should have been owned for 3months instead of 2.

If I get screwed, can I get a refund through pay pal or am I SOL?
Click to expand...
Ask PayPal. The seller has to meet certain qualifications before you are protected. Screwy, I know -- you can only get protection dealing with the sellers who you don't need the protection from .
 
Eeep.

Name doesn't exist or match up. :(

I think I feel sick, very sick...

Ebay says Julie Brewster, Paypal says David Garten.
 
silversyren said:
If you paid with a credit card thru paypal, then your credit card company should help you out.
Click to expand...

I'll check with my company tomorrow. If I don't hear anything from the seller, I'll see if I can get my cash back.

Peyton: I'll keep a watch on it.

Silver: I used my credit card through paypal.
 
Bocheememon said:
Name doesn't exist or match up. :(

I think I feel sick, very sick...

Ebay says Julie Brewster, Paypal says David Garten.
Click to expand...

Don't freak out yet, some people use aliases to keep themselves a little more private, I have a bogus email account with yahoo just for companies I know will spam me.

Get a phone number soon, or call the card in the morning, cancel the payment. By cancelling, you're out of luck on the comp, if it is legit, but otherwise you're safe 1300.
 
Don't fuss too much. From what I've heard, credit card companies are usually very responsive so if the seller turns out to be a fraud, you'll get your money back.

We'll have to see in a week or so if I got taken for a good powerbook deal on ebay as well, hah. Whenever I think about the possibility, I feel slightly ill but I'm crossing my fingers.
 
Peyton said:
Don't freak out yet, some people use aliases to keep themselves a little more private, I have a bogus email account with yahoo just for companies I know will spam me.

Get a phone number soon, or call the card in the morning, cancel the payment. By cancelling, you're out of luck on the comp, if it is legit, but otherwise you're safe 1300.
Click to expand...

I'll decide tomorrow then. Thanks for the advice Peyton and everyone!
 
oh my f**king god that is an insane deal, i hope it goes through, man, i'd kill for a 17" powerbook at that price.
 
silversyren said:
Don't fuss too much. From what I've heard, credit card companies are usually very responsive so if the seller turns out to be a fraud, you'll get your money back.

We'll have to see in a week or so if I got taken for a good powerbook deal on ebay as well, hah. Whenever I think about the possibility, I feel slightly ill but I'm crossing my fingers.
Click to expand...


*takes a deep breath*

Well, we'll both see since we both were looking at it!
 
I would write the seller asking to verify any info you need verified immediately. If you're not satisfied, cancel the transaction. If you don't hear back, cancel it and I guarantee that the seller will contact you as soon as they see they don't have your money. As far as I know, it takes three days to transfer money from a Paypal account successfully to a bank account, so unless he/she spent it through paypal already (unlikely), you have time, but act quickly!

And, of course, it could totally be legit, you never know.
 
Generally, buying anything on Ebay is at your own risk.
It's difficult to know if the item is genuine and NOT stolen !
 
CanadaRAM said:
Well, yeah, that's pretty much how the seller wants you to react - get excited enough to make decisions too fast to think about them.
Click to expand...

you're absolutely right, canadaRAM.
 
I called my credit card company. They said it would take 45 days to issue a refund.

I look around Paypal for cancelling a purchase, but there wasn't a direct article to reference from.

:(
 
isn't there a way to request the ebay seller's contact info? Can you call this woman and ask her if she has actually posted a powerbook for sale? If not, then you could tell her that her account has been hijacked and she needs to take immediate action to prevent fraud in her name. just a thought. good luck, i hope it all works out!
 
Hmm

edit:

The seller replied via e-mail.

She didn't list contact information or anything. I do have the e-mail in case it is a fake. The english is terrible, not that I'm perfect at it, but you know what I mean.

Hello.
This item in excellent condition with original accessories and by the
documentation it haven't scratchs and damages.
I have received payment subtotal: US $1,318.00
I will transfer money from PayPal to my bank account.
The Item I will be shipped during 2-4 days after reception of money from PayPal into my bank account.
I will inform you.
Thanks.


------
I still am very suspicious. Well, we shall see!
 
Bocheememon said:
edit:

The seller replied via e-mail.

She didn't list contact information or anything. I do have the e-mail in case it is a fake. The english is terrible, not that I'm perfect at it, but you know what I mean.

Hello.
This item in excellent condition with original accessories and by the
documentation it haven't scratchs and damages.
I have received payment subtotal: US $1,318.00
I will transfer money from PayPal to my bank account.
The Item I will be shipped during 2-4 days after reception of money from PayPal into my bank account.
I will inform you.
Thanks.


------
I still am very suspicious. Well, we shall see!
Click to expand...

If I were you, I would get out while I still can. Once the money has been transfered from PayPal to the bank account, you might as well kiss it goodbye. While it is possible to recover it after that point, it becomes MUCH more difficult (especially if they remove their bank information from their PayPal account).

I would either work on convincing them to ship sooner, cancel your payment, or make a heroic effort to contact the person whose name is on the account to verify some of this. It all just seems a bit fishy to me.
 
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