Collect together any extras like power cords, instruction manuals or accessories. By using our site, you agree to our. Try to respond to messages or phone calls as quickly as possible and offer to provide extra photos or further details if you can. Exactly, police have more important matters to help the community. I got an offer from a guy who's keen to buy it. Take photo of you posting the item. If youre super vigilant about your personal information, note that PayPal often gives out your basic information in transactions (full name, email, address). Even direct deposit is a no go. 3. If the price seems far lower than the competition then question its authenticity. What a tosser!! Have you found something you want to buy secondhand, but worried about online scammers? In this case, 89% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. I have a different problem. You might be able to find a great deal on a second . Leave the Archive. I am an irregular user of gumtree. If that 80 was their life savings, they probably would have been a lot more cautious. For any purchase, give the buyer ample opportunity to inspect the item in person. Try to include sub-categories like Furniture in Home & Garden or Electronics in Computers & Software. This will make it easier for buyers to search for your item. Find out how Universal Credit works and how to manage your payment, Entitlements to help with the cost of pregnancy or bringing up children, Understand what support is available for coping with ill health, You may be entitled for help with other costs on top of your State Pension, Extra support if youre working, self-employed, or youve lost your job, Support to help with rent or mortgage payments if youre on a low income, What to do if something goes wrong with your benefits, How to choose, use and manage bank accounts, How to budget, find the best deals and switch to save money, How to buy and finance a car, deal with problems with car finance, and cut running costs, Credit basics, applying for credit, credit ratings and problems with credit, Insurance for cars, health, travel, and help with insurance. Lets face it, does Joe Blow from down the road need to know your first AND last name, just because they want to buy some old books from you? Or maybe youre flat out all day with work or a sleeping baby, and just dont have the availability to handle constant phone enquiries. Your email address will not be published. Check their updated policies/buyer protection info before using, and tell seller you'll pay by PayPal, see how they react. The buyer may also ask you if they can buy multiple items from you for a certain price if you have listed multiple items on Gumtree. Send me some money and I'll mail you the answer. It doesnt hurt to make sure the items are clean a quick wipe, dust, or launder and iron (following the fabric care label) can really help them look their best. A common way for scammers to trick you is to create an ad for an item that is only just cheaper than the competition but not enough that itll cause suspicion. If anyone says they're coming but they don't come, that's their problem. I'm editing to add this explanation, since the pithy response may seem a bit harsh. Enter a descriptive title. Each to their own, and totally fine with me when Im buying from someone else (though I do let someone know where Im going, if its to someones home). The details are minor but it could be no padlock in the address bar, spelling mistakes or a web address other than gumtree.com or my.gumtree.com. When you've agreed a price with the seller, where you can, try to meet them in person to make the transaction. Safest is direct bank transfer, you have the money no matter what. You may have used items in your home youd like to sell on Gumtree quickly and effectively. So make sure you grab their attention with our top tips. Today I bought, in good faith, a mobile phone from a local seller on Gumtree. Ask a question, respond to a question and better understand the law today! Your email address will not be published. And if you dont even want to do that, the system gives you a default name of Gumtree User. Press J to jump to the feed. You might also receive via text a response to your 'for sale' ad that looks a bit odd. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. You can normally suss out if somebody is legit etc, you will need to get their full address & phone number for shipping and if they seem reluctant to give this out then I would cancel the sale. Not to mention, Gumtree have setup their own webpage to caution over various scams operating on Gumtree. But my question is have you recovered the money back from bank transfer. This means signatures are NOT required even for services like Registered Post. This is a dream for an identity thief or criminal mastermind (who doesnt need to be much of a mastermind, really, given how much personal information is there for the taking). Help. A friends / family (or gift payment) is intended as a transfer of funds from family or friends to one another. Paying for Items on Gumtree. The AD is removed. Make sure you also use the Reply to ad button for any communication. 0 Kudos. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. My sister and I tested both PayPal payments. If he's not OK with that, wait to sell unless you are desperate. Some services capture the actual signature, which can be sent to you at a cost. Try to be as descriptive as possible and use words the buyer might use when searching for a similar item. Not really. This is handy if you dont want to receive nuisance calls. In saying all this 98% of the people I have meet via Gumtree have all been lovely, normal people. If you can, upload a picture of the item as well. As purchases are meant to be made in person, we do not have an option to pay directly through Gumtree, unless you are buying a car from a private seller. Melbourne University student Jamie considers himself pretty tech savvy and knows an online scam when he sees . VAT No. (Open 7 days 10:00-6:00) Contact number: Email: *Item NO. People are human, and mistakes (and opportunistic people) happen. Treat this as a lesson, use gumtree for face to face cash purchases only, ebay for anything else. For example, instead of just saying denim skirt you could say blue knee-length denim pencil skirt, size 14. Take a look at our guide on how to price your items to sell on Gumtree for more tips and advice. Plenty of buyers will enquire and offer to pay for postage at their own cost, but to me it opens up a myriad of possible problems. You never really know who is responding to your ads (no matter how friendly or normal they sound). You can also note if you are willing to negotiate the price by putting down "OBO," which stands for "Or Best Offer.". Because it looks genuine, money is transferred and the scammer disappears. Choose a simple background if possible like a plain wall or free corner of carpet. A subreddit for Melburnians and Melbourne enthusiasts! Weird tech issues happen. his in sydney. Gumtree say they will take down a copycat site as soon as they can, but there will always be people who end up using it before Gumtree can get to it. Misled by Seller on Gumtree - What are My Rights? Or go to the police if they would even do anything? There could be any number of ways to be scammed from the info you've given here, but probably one of the first two. I have read that page through, and it doesn't mention Gumtree and a page search shows 0 instances of the word "Gumtree". Oct 3, 2019. I have seen sale listings with the sellers first and last names on their profile, and even - their home address. This content may be old or outdated. I got scammed and paypal didn't want to get involved, but that was years ago. He kept insisting he had paid and kept urging my sister to check her spam inbox and click the link to accept the payment - major red flag. For help sorting out your debts or credit questions. I looked at your article because somehow my surname was published with ad. You can have a Gumtree account without one. For example, you may have a username like ThrifyOne555.. The information I provide is not a replacement for legal advice. Just about anything else can be reversed. Scott has received extensive training through the National Computer Forensics Institute and holds forensic certifications from Cellbrite, Blackbag, Axiom Forensics, and others. If anyone tells me to post the item and they'll pay for it, I ignore it. O did this only to find that he did not live at the address given. By browsing this website, you consent to the use of cookies. A word of caution meeting in a public place reduces your risk, but is not a guarantee of safety. Be honest in your description and do not oversell the item. Especially if youre selling a high-value item, like a mobile phone. He has over 15 years of experience in law enforcement and specializes in digital forensics. Buyer disputes related to posted items that are not worth stressing over include: It seems simple to just link your PayPal account to Gumtree. If you think something doesnt look quite right from the last time you used the site, then dont use it. Its a phrase we keep repeating, but if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. This is a ploy to get you to click the fake link or to reply to a fake email known as smishing. 1.2K Posts. But what I want to know is if you get scammed on something like Gumtree where you did a bank cash deposit and the seller never posts the item, can the police do anything? I confirmed with PayPal and it was confirmed a scam. I'll send my transport guy around to pick it up". It was only just over 6 years ago. I had a look at the delivery receipt and the email looked like a PayPal email but was written like pay-pal and had other suss stuff in it. Gumtree can be a great way to find somewhere to rent, to sellyour unwanted items or to pick up a second-hand bike. The old saying 'too good to be true' is worth bearing in mind. Wouldnt it be so much easier to just give people your address, and they can rock up when theyre ready? AFAIK they did exclude GT sales from buyer protection back in 2015, probably to give the more gullible sellers a false sense of security to get them to use paypal on GT. You should arrange a convenient date and time for the buyer to view the item. Which I did not get my money back, Paypal is holding it because of the claim. Approved. Delete your item from your listed ads: Log in to your account; click on your name; click on Manage Ads; click on Delete. Usually, the scams go something like this: you will list something on Gumtree, then you might receive a Gumtree delivery scam Whatsapp message enquiring about the item. Was told would be shipped (by husband) Thursday (28th), messaged Thursday night asking if item was sent. Since you made a friends and family payment, your purchase isn't protected and you won't be able to get a refund. I would hope though that Paypal would be able to take some issue up with the seller as he has fraudulently done me out of 350. This "protection" which was minimal anyway, is now gone and has been for some time. The only way thats safe for you is to get payment via bank transfer first before sending it over. From PayPal scams, to getting robbed it never hurts to remain cautious and protect yourself. I think twice about giving out my address on a regular day, let alone to a rando who responded to my classifieds ad. Dont be afraid to negotiate but remember that everyone loves a deal if the buyer is haggling, knocking off just a few pounds could secure the sale. Many mistakenly assume that PayPal is the safest way to pay on Gumtree, and that theyll be protected in the event of disputes over items that havent arrived, are defective, or if youve been scammed. Most likely they won't be trying to scam you, it's very rare someone would pay first and then try scam you after that. He will reply to other people if they enquire about items he is selling but will not speak. This isnt the case though, when you inspect their page on how to pay for Gumtree items using PayPal. Changed decor so no space for it.. No reply.Sat came around I filed dispute.Sunday (1st, 11 days after paid, 6 after apparent loss of contact) she posts on this board saying she doesn't have any addresses bc Paypal not working right (she stated she'd known this for 8 months, never once asked for my address in 5 days we had contact), her messenger is broke.and apparently her email too.So her and I had a 'discussion' on a transaction board as it was the only way to get hold of her.I moved my dispute to a claim right after that. Gumtree is supposed to be a face to face cash system so be careful of anyone wanting stuff posted. Ive only sold portable items that are easily transportable to a public meeting place. Its worth making sure photos are clear, in focus and not too far away. Every bit of packing. 3 rules for buying and selling on Gumtree safely. Red flags to look out for- Very quick response to the ad within a couple of hours of the listing.- Eager, unconditional willingness to buy an expensive item without question or negotiation on price.- Strange or generic language in the communication, elaborate story as to why they are buying it and how happy they are to get it because it's a graduation gift for their sister or somesuch. i dont know his address but as he is selling multiple items i could get a friend to get it easily. For example, you may have a description like, Beautiful walnut dining chair with blue upholstered seat. PRO TIP: Take your mobile phone charger with you to the meet. Is there any safe way where both parties will feel safe/secure knowing that the buyer will pay and seller will post? The amount sent to you includes delivery charges 105.00 GBP. I think I have one for $70. Bargain, transfer the money I'll send it express tomorrow;-) ( wink wink). Top tip: use as many descriptive words as you can. Leave the Archive. Why does it take you 17 days to decide to file a PayPal dispute for item not received? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Join 150,000 Australians every month. "I didn't know where to start with using Gumtree. Track and trace. You should take age and condition into account and remember you can always reduce your price later if the item hasnt sold. But mostly, you dont want to be giving out your mobile number to some disgruntled person, or if you get a weird vibe from the person when you meet up. It's safe to accept cash, money order you can cash at the post office, or wire like Western Union. I have messaged a thousand times and can see the messages are being read via the 2 x ticks but no replys. You can also use the Tell us what you are posting option on Gumtree. Post your Ad. He wants my PayPal email address to send me the money. If they send you payment from a hacked paypal account you'll lose your item and money, like a double whammy. If the item has a unique design on the bottom or side, take a photo of this detail and include it in your ad. For this reason, there is no processing fee when payment is made with bank or PayPal balance.However as it is a gift payment, there is also no Buyer protection as no goods or services should have been exchanged.If he was not a close mate or family member you should never use that option as it enables the seller to evade his paypal fees and negates your buyer protection at the same time. 'm a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on . Thank you. Your suburb is fine, just so buyers know your rough location, and whether youre local to them. Do not do Friends and Family on PayPal. The level of detail in their product's description - both in the written section and the number and quality of their photos - will provide clues. https://www.paypal.com/au/webapps/mpp/ua/useragreement-full#int_Schedule_1. A buyer wants me to send an Apple Watch to a parcel locker and he is willing to do bank deposit. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Like others have said, use Paypal 'goods and services' so make sure you are protected. Click the green "Post an Ad" button at the top of any Gumtree page and follow the steps to create a great ad. UPDATE: Ive since dipped my toes into trying eBay, and it has surprisingly been an easy and positive experience. 1999-2023 PayPal, Inc. All rights reserved. I ALWAYS meet people in public spaces for my sales. Introductions are limited to motor finance. User #403842 11379 posts. No do not accept Paypal (unless your buyer will send it as a "Gift Payment), cash sent special delivery is best if not bank transfer. Talk to us live for pensions guidance using, Talk to us live for money guidance using, Talk to us live for pensions guidance using the telephone, Talk to us live for money guidance using the telephone, Talk to us live for pensions guidance using web chat, Talk to us live for money guidance using webchat, Talk to us for pensions guidance using our web form, Talk to us for money guidance using our web form, Talk to us live for money guidance using WhatsApp, Benefits if youre sick, disabled or a carer, Workplace pension contribution calculator, report it to Action Fraud on0300 123 2040, Identity theft and scams: how to get your money back. For tips on responding to potential buyers, keep reading! Rule 3: Use cash only. Does Gumtree take a commission when selling or buying items? Zuto Limited is a credit broker, not a lender. Type in your postal code so potential buyers near you will see your item, then describe the item in detail, including the measurements or dimensions, the condition of the item, and the materials it is made from. deleted568739 22. So I recently bought an item off Gumtree for aboutgave a random person I don't know $80. Sadly, theres enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that they DO happen, to everyday people like you and me. Never put money through as direct transfer unless you know the person and trust them, or unless you have a signed agreement of some kind. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/Report-Fraud-on-Gumtree-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Report-Fraud-on-Gumtree-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a1\/Report-Fraud-on-Gumtree-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Report-Fraud-on-Gumtree-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
