buying laptops on ebay

[Sonarcade]

I just need to get my dad a laptop for word processing and LAN browsing. Nothing special really. I've had a bad experience with being scammed by a laptop seller on ebay, but then again, I've sold a good laptop on ebay as well, meaning that there are good sellers out there (at least I'd hope that others are as credible as me). Can someone recommend tell-tale signs of a bad deal/seller? There's this one seller that tells of the defects of a laptop but had all of his/her auctions for computers private, including this one. TIA.

 

[alphonsus]

Private auctions doesn't mean they are shady. Id look for a high feedback ratings and high percentage of positives. Make sure they accept paypal, credit card, checks, money order, etc. If the only payment they accept is western union money wire, stay away. You really never know whos on the other side of the computer, but I had never been ripped off; just make sure they have many transactions with many positives.

 

[gopunk]

well feedback obviously... also i check to see what their other items were... i feel more comfortable if they have sold other high ticket items.

also being able to use credit card whether with or without paypal, or escrow is a requirement for me. anything else and you could lose quite a bit of money (unless the laptop is around $500, in which case you can use paypal without cc because paypal covers that).