OT - is it safe to use ebay?

[dickster]

guys

i have been looking into buying a laptop on ebay uk.

its basically a £2.5k unit for £1200. brand new, unopened box.

theres quite a few different sellers offering similar deals so its not a one off.

it seems too good to be true. or do deals like this really exist.

can these guys really get hold of these machines that cheaply that they can undercut the shops so much?

or are they all stolen?

what should i do? it is due to land on my door step friday (COD).

[layzee]

I have bought several high value items from eBay, some being laptops. Just make sure the seller has a good feedback rating (and lots of it) and try and communicate with them before you secure the deal.

Buyer beware. Just realize that you have very little recourse if what you buy is not as described and the seller gets horsey. The complaint tool through ebay is slow and hardly effective. The most you can do is leave negative feedback which is equivalent to throwing cotton balls. I advise that you steer away.
Mark

[Don Plumley]

In general, I have very positive experience with eBay both as a buyer and a seller. I am wary however of high-value items (buying them, that is).

If it is too good to be true, it probably is. We recently purchased an off-lease Laptop direct from Dell via eBay - still has warranty and was an outstanding value. This might be a good avenue and Dell UK might be accessable to you.

If the seller has good feedback (lots, and current), your odds are in your favor. Think of it as a public market with imperfect knowledge. There are sleaze-ball retailers too, it's just on the Internet nobody knows if you are a dog.

Good Luck

[dickster]

thanks guys, pretty much what i thought.

there are a number of sellers and ones i have contacted have been happy to explain where they get them.

i guess i'll have to check it out when it arrives tomorrow. the girl selling it certainly seems geniune enough