The best places to buy second-hand tech products locally

Cannot believe Facebook Marketplace was included as it's a hotbed for scams in SA. My daughter was scammed into buying a fake Samsung phone (yes it even made called when she tested it) and there was zero interest from Facebook or Samsung in sorting it out (as Samsung says it happens all the time on Facebook). I placed an ad on Facebook warning others about the scams and then Facebook banned my advert. I did a post at http://gadgeteer.co.za/details-fake-samsung-phones-being-sold-facebook-marketplace-cape-town on what to watch out for. It was reported to SAPS and we offered to lure the guy out to be caught (we had a photo of him too) but SAPS was not interested...

I'd also have included Bid or Buy as they also rate sellers and act as the intermediary to ensure funds clear properly through a 3rd party. My daughter was similarly scammed through Facebook Marketplace with an "instant EFT" payment that just never went through, and she lost her phone this way.

Maybe an article highlighting the various scams and how to avoid them could be a good thing - you have no idea how many people have contacted me via that Facebook Marketplace ad, asking if it is available to buy still. They just did not even read that it was an ad WARNING about scams.
 
I got scammed by LLOYD on FB marketplace. He had some speaker cable for sale and said he lived in Malmesbury and I was to put down a deposit and collect

Went to the address provided to find the house did not exist. Last house is 21 Smuts Street, he said he is at 27

Wrote comment about the fake ad and my post was taken down
 
Yeah, saw a bunch of Facebook market place adverts that just smell like a scam. It's basically a gumtree on steroids.
 
I've used carbonite now for a couple of things... buying and selling .... and has worked well, especially members upvoting each other to build trust levels always a good thing..... but like anything in life .... always trust your gut , and rather accept cash or do geo location payments
 
Danie_V said:
Cannot believe Facebook Marketplace was included as it's a hotbed for scams in SA. My daughter was scammed into buying a fake Samsung phone (yes it even made called when she tested it) and there was zero interest from Facebook or Samsung in sorting it out (as Samsung says it happens all the time on Facebook). I placed an ad on Facebook warning others about the scams and then Facebook banned my advert. I did a post at http://gadgeteer.co.za/details-fake-samsung-phones-being-sold-facebook-marketplace-cape-town on what to watch out for. It was reported to SAPS and we offered to lure the guy out to be caught (we had a photo of him too) but SAPS was not interested...

I'd also have included Bid or Buy as they also rate sellers and act as the intermediary to ensure funds clear properly through a 3rd party. My daughter was similarly scammed through Facebook Marketplace with an "instant EFT" payment that just never went through, and she lost her phone this way.

Maybe an article highlighting the various scams and how to avoid them could be a good thing - you have no idea how many people have contacted me via that Facebook Marketplace ad, asking if it is available to buy still. They just did not even read that it was an ad WARNING about scams.
Click to expand...
Same thing nearly happened to me; just on Gumtree and not Facebook.

It's very important to compare the photos provided against a trusted site like GSMArena. Was very tempted by someone selling A71 on Gumtree for cheap. Alarm bells rang when I compared the asking price against other ads and also the rear camera cluster on the photo didn't match that on GSMArena. Reported the ad to Gumtree, but received no response from them.
 
Danie_V said:
Cannot believe Facebook Marketplace was included as it's a hotbed for scams in SA. My daughter was scammed into buying a fake Samsung phone (yes it even made called when she tested it) and there was zero interest from Facebook or Samsung in sorting it out (as Samsung says it happens all the time on Facebook). I placed an ad on Facebook warning others about the scams and then Facebook banned my advert. I did a post at http://gadgeteer.co.za/details-fake-samsung-phones-being-sold-facebook-marketplace-cape-town on what to watch out for. It was reported to SAPS and we offered to lure the guy out to be caught (we had a photo of him too) but SAPS was not interested...

I'd also have included Bid or Buy as they also rate sellers and act as the intermediary to ensure funds clear properly through a 3rd party. My daughter was similarly scammed through Facebook Marketplace with an "instant EFT" payment that just never went through, and she lost her phone this way.

Maybe an article highlighting the various scams and how to avoid them could be a good thing - you have no idea how many people have contacted me via that Facebook Marketplace ad, asking if it is available to buy still. They just did not even read that it was an ad WARNING about scams.
Click to expand...
The front camera notch and lower bezel look slightly different but again this is not easy to notice.
Click to expand...
Looks very different to me but yes this type of scam has been going on since 2014 if not earlier.

Original:
1609583984202.png
Scam:
1609583991858.png
 
Danie_V said:
Cannot believe Facebook Marketplace was included as it's a hotbed for scams in SA.
Click to expand...

Well, technically, and if we are being honest so are the streets and the flea markets, car dealers, malls everything.
The company hosting has some responsibility to ensure legitimate business but for the most part the onus is on you.
 
That's why I'd rather sell and buy at places like Cash Crusaders.
 
Danie_V said:
Cannot believe Facebook Marketplace was included as it's a hotbed for scams in SA.
Click to expand...
Scams exist on EVERY online platform, not just on FB Marketplace. Also don't think SA is unique. You could easily be scammed on eBay from some guy in another country.
 
genetic said:
Scams exist on EVERY online platform, not just on FB Marketplace. Also don't think SA is unique. You could easily be scammed on eBay from some guy in another country.
Click to expand...
eBay offers money back for most orders paid for with PayPal. They also have ratings. Both contribute hugely to safer trading.
Gumtree, OLX, Facebook do not.
 
Eric said:
eBay offers money back for most orders paid for with PayPal. They also have ratings. Both contribute hugely to safer trading.
Gumtree, OLX, Facebook do not.
Click to expand...

For Gumtree, OLX and FB I'd meet face-to-face.

The only place I'd buy a shipped item is here on MyBB or Carbonite. Might still carry a risk, but I trust MyBB and Carb members more as it's a niche community where people tend to know each other - even if it's just by reputation and a username.

Bought a number of 2nd hand items on bidorbuy with no issues at all, but as you said, there are reputation systems and buyer protection if need be.
 
genetic said:
For Gumtree, OLX and FB I'd meet face-to-face.

The only place I'd buy a shipped item is here on MyBB or Carbonite. Might still carry a risk, but I trust MyBB and Carb members more as it's a niche community where people tend to know each other - even if it's just by reputation and a username.

Bought a number of 2nd hand items on bidorbuy with no issues at all, but as you said, there are reputation systems and buyer protection if need be.
Click to expand...
Agree. Face to face is best for OLX and Gumtree though not without its risks. Preferably meet in a public place.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter