Is gumtree safe?

Question

hi. i want to buy an item off gumtree but i am no a 100% convinced to get the item. im in oxford and the seller is in london. we havent opened up any talks yet but i heard there could be a risk of a scam esp ps3 for a 100 quid. pliz help b4 i make a move

Answer 1

Ask to see it working before You buy.

Answer 2

I would recommend you try and arrage a mutually convenient location between Oxford and London to do the exchange. This may be the easiest way to do it, as you get the goods and the seller gets the money. Although you wont logically be able to test the goods until you get home, or to a power socket.

Consider very carefully how you intend to pay because the most common scams on Gumtree are related to the seller encouraging the buyer into using some sort of money transfer (Western Union is a good example) promising to send the goods afterwards and then the seller not sending the goods at all.

If you are not based in London, get a friend in/near London to have a look at it first on your behalf. You may be able to do it via your friend.

That being said, a PS3 for £100 sounds very fishy to me! Personally, I wouldnt use Gumtree to buy a high priced item that I couldnt physically test or see before hand. There is no recourse via Gumtree if you become a victim of a scam or fraud.

It may be best to stear clear of this one. In online transactions of any nature, if its too good to be true, then it probably is.