QLD Gumtree & Facebook marketplace scam issue

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Clancy

Well-Known Member
6 April 2016
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I'd still like to know why the buyer searched Gumtree for another seller then contacted him after the purchase... That's weird to me. It's not something people normally do. Where there is smoke there is fire. My guess is the OP suspected something was off.

Is it unusual?? News to me.... Personally i do it every time i buy something.... i want to confirm to myself i got a good deal or not by monitoring similar items for sale, Its called 'curiosity'.
 

DMLegal

Well-Known Member
28 May 2018
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Is it unusual?? News to me.... Personally i do it every time i buy something.... i want to confirm to myself i got a good deal or not by monitoring similar items for sale, Its called 'curiosity'.

Surely you would only buy it if it was a good deal? And monitoring is one thing, establishing that it was the owner of the device you just bought is another.
 

Clancy

Well-Known Member
6 April 2016
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69
2,289
Surely you would only buy it if it was a good deal? And monitoring is one thing, establishing that it was the owner of the device you just bought is another.

Only buy it if it was a good deal?? hahahaha, do you really expect the average citizen to be an expert on what is a good deal? Good God man! .... but, i mean, it would be wonderful if it was true!!!

And of course i would get curious if i saw the exact same thing for sale by someone else? But admittedly, i would assume it was a co-incidence, and certainly never contact that seller!! There is already enough trouble in life without actively going out of my way to invite it!
 

Clancy

Well-Known Member
6 April 2016
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69
2,289
One possibility no one eliminated yet..... What if the first person is the one running the scam? Taking advantage of the situation by saying it was not paid for by the second party when it actually was? How do you really know for sure?? Or even that it was their machine and not an identical one? And because the OP contacted them they thought "oh, we can scam this guy" Not impossible is it?
 

Bill Murray

Well-Known Member
6 June 2018
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I check whether I am getting a good deal before I purchase, not afterwards.

My educated guess based on the information provided is that the OP did a search, saw both, possibly using the same photo. Contacted both, one was sold but only a deposit and the other was available. Bought the one that was available. Probably had a feeling it was dodgy at the time.

Perhaps it is my professional cynicism however House nailed it - "Everybody lies". I frequently provide full briefs to lawyers who have completely rejected our version of events based on what their client has told them. We provide our evidence WITH video and often within hours are advised they will be pleading guilty. I've no idea whether these lawyers honestly believe their clients or are just following their professional responsibility and taking their clients at their word. I hope the latter.