Should i buy a second hand laptop?

[maldek]

Hey guys, i'm looking at buying a laptop for a low price on gumtree. I can't really afford a brand new one at the moment. Do you think it's a bad idea to buy a used laptop?

 

[oldhat]

What price range? You can get new laptop from R3000!

 

[dj_jyno]

Depends on the condition. I bought mine secondhand and it's been serving me well for the past 5 years (I got it when it was a year old). If you do buy secondhand, make sure that it's still under warranty in case anything goes wrong.

 

[Pada]

I bought my laptop 2nd-hand from a trusted myBroadband member and it was an amazing deal and it is still working very well for me like 3 years later...

With Gumtree you have to be VERY careful!
I'd suggest that you meet the seller in person, pay in cash and only buy it after you saw the proof of purchase (which you can perhaps ask in advance before you even go to meet the person). Also make sure that the person gives you a quick demo that the laptop is indeed working and also check the model number and specs as advertised!
This is probably the only way that you can be assured that the laptop wasn't stolen or that the guy is a scammer.

Could you perhaps tell us what your budget is, what the kind of specifications are that he's selling and what you're going to use the laptop for?

 

[Atheist]

Rather try carbonite.co.za/f10

 

[deweyzeph]

New laptops are so cheap that it's not worth the risk buying second hand ones

 

[werfie]

Hey guys, i'm looking at buying a laptop for a low price on gumtree. I can't really afford a brand new one at the moment. Do you think it's a bad idea to buy a used laptop?

What is your budget?

I would be vary careful of buying on Gumtree, don't you have a friend or family member that is maybe selling secondhand, more often than not, that is a better bet. Also if you buy stuff off Gumtree, apart from checking the laptop and so, meet these people at a police station, I've heard many a story of where buyers were robbed of their cash at these deals.

 

[Pada]

Also if you buy stuff off Gumtree, apart from checking the laptop and so, meet these people at a police station, I've heard many a story of where buyers were robbed of their cash at these deals.

Jeesh! That's the first time that I hear of this. Thanks for the headsup!