I wanted to sell my cellphone - Sony Vivaz because I got a new phone. I advertised it on gumtree and got a call for the phone within 3 days. The caller asked if we could meet during the same day at Rosebank to do the trade. I agreed and we met outside in the parking lot at Rosebank. We sat in my car and he looked at the phone which came with a box and accessories. He also wanted me to sign a contract but I didn’t have a pen paper. I jumped outside the car to ask the security guard and managed to get one. I wrote a short letter about the trade at which time he said he had to fetch his wallet. He disappeared and never came back. I waited for him but after a while I decided to look inside the box and noticed that the phone was a dummy. It was the exact same design but it was made of plastic.
I am writing this because I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.
This is a list of mistakes that I made:
1. I should have asked for his driver’s license. He asked for mine. It’s a weakness of mine whereby I trust people too easily.
2. Get his cellphone number and try calling it. He called using a private number and when I asked for his number he gave me a wrong number.
3. If someone wants to meet, choose a place at either work or near security because if the buyer is a thief they would have a much harder time getting out.
4. If the buyer is in a hurry to buy the item, don’t give into the drama, wait and arrange a good date and time to meet. Choose your terms and conditions.
5. The buyer seemed like a nice person but dont trust anyone just because they laugh and smile.
6. Dont let the buyer out of your sight.
7. Ask to see the money first.
I learnt these lessons the hard way and honestly should have spoken to more people about buying and selling online.
I hope this helps someone.
I am writing this because I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.
This is a list of mistakes that I made:
1. I should have asked for his driver’s license. He asked for mine. It’s a weakness of mine whereby I trust people too easily.
2. Get his cellphone number and try calling it. He called using a private number and when I asked for his number he gave me a wrong number.
3. If someone wants to meet, choose a place at either work or near security because if the buyer is a thief they would have a much harder time getting out.
4. If the buyer is in a hurry to buy the item, don’t give into the drama, wait and arrange a good date and time to meet. Choose your terms and conditions.
5. The buyer seemed like a nice person but dont trust anyone just because they laugh and smile.
6. Dont let the buyer out of your sight.
7. Ask to see the money first.
I learnt these lessons the hard way and honestly should have spoken to more people about buying and selling online.
I hope this helps someone.
safety, said that we handle the sale inside a bank ..you know, on the inside of doors that are likely to get locked if something hinky (say, someone trying to do a runner) happens. 
