What do you think?

Sorry, not to do with bikes, but gumtree.

I contacted someone about a macbook they are selling we have agreed a good price. We have been in contact via phone and arranging to pay via paypal, however I'm still not sure. He says he will be posting from Scotland to me. I called this morning and i spoke to someone else on the same number about a car and he said I needed to speak to someone else and passed me over to the right guy. Now I am waiting to see how he is going to get it to me (with tracking hopefully).

Do you think this is a scam, should I try it and hope that paypal refun if it is a con or avoid the the plague. Sorry to ask a dumb question, I really need to replace my now dead powerbook and I am desparate, which is probably clouding my judgement.

James

When buying or selling, you should meet in-person to see the item and exchange money. The purpose of the Gumtree “For Sale” category is to encourage face-to-face, local, trading

Never send or wire money to sellers or buyers.

Please also take special care when buying expensive items like mobile phones, laptops, plasma TVs, airline tickets and even tickets for shows/gigs.

Make yourself aware of common scams and fraud - see our Scam Watch section. Do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your help in any task.

Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
http://www.gumtree.com/help/stay_safe

I'm aware of all of that, im saying am i being overly cautious and he's probably ok, or no no

Use common sense. If something is being sold on gumtree it's probably moody or a con

Fixed

I currently live in Glasgow, maybe I can help? Check the laptop out for you, take pictures?

No no no, you have a 50/50 chance of getting the item here, the dude is in Scotland, you are unable to inspect the item in person, I would not purchase an item such as a laptop without seeing it working and in good condition in front of my own eyes.

If you're happy to potentially throw away the amount of money this laptop costs, then go for it, if not then wait and look for something local, always plenty of second hand macs going round London!

cheers james, also CV, I will get his address and maybe if you could do that that would be brill!

Definitely scam, ask some super specific questions over the phone about the laptop's software, serial number, tech specs, etc and see if they get flustered.

I'm a cynical person.

I contacted someone about a macbook they are selling we have agreed a good price. We have been in contact via phone and arranging to pay via paypal, however I'm still not sure.

The introduction of paypal into this transaction is a bit off.

He says he will be posting from Scotland to me.

This is falling apart at the seams.

I called this morning and i spoke to someone else on the same number about a car and he said I needed to speak to someone else and passed me over to the right guy.

Possible fence for more stolen goods, google/gumtree search his phone number and see if he is advertising anything else.

Water tight? I think not, but then again he could be emigrating and he needs to sell all his stuff and make a quick buck.

But I wouldn't trust this transaction whatsoever.

Sounds well dodgy to me.

Hey James, want to buy some magic beans?

cheers james, also CV, I will get his address and maybe if you could do that that would be brill!

Sure, no worries - just let me know. I just sold mine otherwise you could have had that one!

dodgy to me too, no no

Hey James, want to buy some magic beans?

2nd dibs.

Seriously though, are you fucking mental?
If you can't see it and it is not arranged through a channel where there is a possibility of redress if something goes wrong, don't do it.

Not worth the risk.

Paypal will not protect or reimburse you if the package never arrives.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gullibility

Well, not heard back from him, so I'm just going to fork out a bit more on my lunch break and grab a used one somewhere else.