Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be wary of this buyer on Gumtree?

28 replies

Ricecrispies16 · 04/04/2017 23:42

I'm selling my phone on Gumtree. It's and iPhone 7plus 256gb so for a decent amount of money. Just had a message asking if it's still available, it is. He/she then asked if we could do it through Paypal because he/she isn't local to come view it.

I'm sceptical because if it was me contemplating handing over this amount of money I would want to see it first. Is there any chance this person could do or say something that results in a PayPal refund and I end up owing money?

Just feeling a bit sceptical Confused

OP posts:
Scrumptiousbears · 04/04/2017 23:47

How do they plan on collecting it?

Katinkka · 04/04/2017 23:48

Sounds like they are planning to rip you off.

Twofurrycats · 04/04/2017 23:49

I don't know about gumtree but i do deal with PayPal. Are they expecting the phone to be posted to them? On eBay (Not that you are) it isn't advisable to take PayPal for items that are collected in person as you have no proof that the buyer received it unlike tracked mail. Not that much help sorry!

Original poster
Ricecrispies16 · 04/04/2017 23:49

They want me to send it, said they will pay the extra. If I sent it recorded delivery and signed for would that cover me? Also what would happen if it went missing or something??

OP posts:
MazDazzle · 04/04/2017 23:50

I've offered to pay via PayPal without viewing many times before. I am very trusting!

As far as I know, you are both protected via PayPal. However, if they choose the 'goods and services' option as opposed to 'friends and family' then you, as seller, will lose a (small) percentage of the money.

Scrumptiousbears · 04/04/2017 23:50

Is it definitely delivery to the UK?

Flower20166 · 04/04/2017 23:52

Don't do it, it's a scam! I put up for sale all my next furniture on there and I quickly got a text asking could they buy it and arrange a courier. I probed more and they wanted to 'send' me so much money via PayPal and for me to send some back. When I copy and pasted the exact text message into google a few people had posted that it was a scam! X

Glossolalia · 04/04/2017 23:53

I'm pretty sure it's a scam

Original poster
Ricecrispies16 · 04/04/2017 23:55

I've just re-read the message it seems so strange that they haven't even probed for more information. I've just asked if it's a uk address I'd be sending it to, they said it would be abroad. Also keeps calling me "mate" Hmm

OP posts:
Scrumptiousbears · 04/04/2017 23:56

I agree it's a scam. Tell them you're not interested and will not be posting outside of the UK.

Endlessmusings · 04/04/2017 23:57

Omg please don't do this. It's one of the oldest scams going.

WineAndTiramisu · 04/04/2017 23:57

Avoid if abroad, PayPal requires special delivery to avoid them being able to get a refund, and even then they can claim not as described. But if wanting it posted abroad likely dodgy

Original poster
Ricecrispies16 · 04/04/2017 23:58

I'm definitely not going to send it but I am tempted to go along with the convo to see what they say... what's he trying to do?

OP posts:
ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 05/04/2017 00:00

My DH had this last time he sold a bike on gumtree. He initially agreed and then got suspicious with them wanting them to send him money so he could send it back, and told them no. I'd be very very wary, and would say no

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 05/04/2017 00:00

My DH had this last time he sold a bike on gumtree. He initially agreed and then got suspicious with them wanting them to send him money so he could send it back, and told them no. I'd be very very wary, and would say no

IfeelFloopy · 05/04/2017 00:00

Definite scam. My boyfriend put a motorbike on eBay a couple of years back and got an email asking if a courier could collect cos he wasn't local to view, said he wanted to pay by PayPal. Further investigation showed that this is a scam ppl use often. They hack someone else's PayPal to pay. Once the real account owner finds out and disputes it the money is reclaimed from you.

Endlessmusings · 05/04/2017 00:02

I'm definitely not going to send it but I am tempted to go along with the convo to see what they say... what's he trying to do?

Pretty obvious that the end result is for them to get a free iPhone.

Go along with it if you want, it's not going to change anything and they'll just move on to their next victim.

FairytalesAreBullshit · 05/04/2017 00:03

I'm just thinking of the scam where they pay by PayPal then say it was never received. If posting I would want to go for special delivery.

Original poster
Ricecrispies16 · 05/04/2017 00:06

Endless - I have said I won't be sending it?... going along with the conversation is to see what stunts they try to pull, out of curiosity. I'm not stupid enough to throw hundreds of pounds down the drain

OP posts:
amysmummy12345 · 05/04/2017 00:06

My husband had this albeit it be with ebay, he had PayPal confirmations of payment received and everything... Turns out they were fraudulent emails.... Idiot dh sent his phone to Nigeria the prat 😂 luckily it was some crappy Sony Ericsson from about 1998 😆

Twofurrycats · 05/04/2017 00:07

If it's abroad I'd give it a miss definitely unfortunately. Cost if fully tracked postage and if they claim the item was not as described is a mine field. PayPal generally works well (and most people aren't wankers). I'm still arguing about an eBay buyer who ordered a dress, paid for it, had it delivered and then bypassed eBay and PayPal. Went to her bank and said it was an unauthorised transaction! She still has the (sodding expensive) dress and the money is on hold. Even PayPal found this bizarre....

Scrumptiousbears · 05/04/2017 00:09

The way it works is you'll get an email from PayPal saying you've got the money. You send the phone then either PayPal tells you it's a fraudulent transaction and withdraws the money or the email was fake. The destination is more than likely Nigeria and the buyer will be "someone in the forces posted out there". They are clever these little buggers.

JonesyAndTheSalad · 05/04/2017 00:14

I think it's ill-advised to engage with them in any way other than to blow them off.

laughwithmeleelee · 05/04/2017 00:21

This is a scam! We have been advised about it before, they call you mate and ask to email them and all sorts then they will say there is a problem with the payment etc Don't get involved

Endlessmusings · 05/04/2017 00:25

Endless - I have said I won't be sending it?... going along with the conversation is to see what stunts they try to pull, out of curiosity. I'm not stupid enough to throw hundreds of pounds down the drain

You asked what's he trying to do. Which is why I responded with trying to get a free iPhone.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread