buying from Gumtree

[patricks148]

looking for advice from any of you that have experience buy stuff off Gumtree.

seen something i want but Gumtree says meet and collect is the safest way to buy, but its in Oxfordshire. so driving down and collecting is not an option.

guy is happy to send it but am i right is saying you don't have te same protection with paypal as on Fleabay.

any advice how to proceed?

 

[Foxholer]

Paypal protection is exactly the same as through Ebay - or any other purchase via Paypal.

What is missing is the Ebay protection. Any dispute has to be done via Paypal, which is a longer process.

Meet and collect is certainly safest for initial delivery, but I'd still, generally, be happy enough using Paypal for this sort of transaction - unless something else flagged risks. I haven't had a problem on the half dozen or so purchases I've made.

 

[Tashyboy]

My lad was telling me that at the moment it is a standing joke where his pals put one another's details down for selling something on gumtree.
ie latest is, a lad is not to happy coz he is advertising a hot tub to give away, buyer must collect. But he knows nothing about it. Had about 20 phone calls.
Beware.

 

[selwood90]

Generally ok to do so, no different to buying off the for sale section here (for the stuff I have brought) if your really not comfortable with doing so. Suggest paying half when posted. Get the tracking number for the item. And transfer the other half of funds on delivery. Trust lies on both sides then. Have done this before myself and generally the senders been happy to do so

 

[Fish]

I've had better bargains and more personal deals using Gumtree than on the evil bay, still pay by Paypal so feel protected, had people even collect direct so cash on collection and no costs is always nice also.

 

[woody69]

As others have said, Paypal still offers protection, but you obviously have to pay the fees and some sellers may insist you cover them if you're not prepared to collect.

What are you buying? You could always ask for more pictures if you are concerned the item doesn't exist etc. I've sold some stuff on Gumtree and people have used both paypal and paid directly into my bank account.

I remember there was a scam going around a while back where someone would claim to have an expensive item for sale and would only accept cash on collection. Then when they turned up the buyer was mugged and the cash stolen. It's why they recommend going to the persons house to collect the goods, rather than some where mutual.

 

[Rooter]

Where in oxfordshire and how big is it? if its south Oxon (ie Didcot, wantage) i can get it for you and post if you want.

 

[patricks148]

As others have said, Paypal still offers protection, but you obviously have to pay the fees and some sellers may insist you cover them if you're not prepared to collect.

What are you buying? You could always ask for more pictures if you are concerned the item doesn't exist etc. I've sold some stuff on Gumtree and people have used both paypal and paid directly into my bank account.

I remember there was a scam going around a while back where someone would claim to have an expensive item for sale and would only accept cash on collection. Then when they turned up the buyer was mugged and the cash stolen. It's why they recommend going to the persons house to collect the goods, rather than some where mutual.

Where in oxfordshire and how big is it? if its south Oxon (ie Didcot, wantage) i can get it for you and post if you want.

its an electric guitar.

Rooter that's a kind offer, Ive no idea where in Oxfordshire TBH. will be ringing the guy later