e-bay ok?

[iain c]

I was on e-bay just looking around in general ,and i came across the computer hardware section (im wanting to get a pc) and i came across some really good deals for a set up -something around the £400 mark, but the thing is ive not bought anything on e-bay before so i dont know how safe it is as to buying computer stuff (and the fact that its quit a bit of cash) .Has anyone here been ripped off ?and if so is there any tips that i should know about?.

[FredDibnah]

when looking at pc's don't forget you need an OS - most cheap machines don't come with one - if it is second hand PC then legally you do not own the OS and you should buy another one.

I'd look at Dabs.co.uk, or http://www.carrerassc.co.uk/
cheap pcs with guarantee

[iain c]

thanks for that -good stuff on there ,be checking that one as well .
one question - whats an OS ?

[bitch one]

windows

[iain c]

cheers bitch one --as i cringe with embarassment

[Sheridan]

you have to learn at some point. it stands for operating system. windows, as bitch one pointed out, is one os. jaguar or panther for the mac is another.

[animal night train]

I use ebay all the time, have bought hundreds of records on there and have never had a problem from a seller. Can't comment on PC specific stuff myself but in my experience buying on ebay is not a problem (apart from the addiction factor, which can make it very expensive indeed).

[audiofelch]

if its a big sum of money,.. u can use escrow.. it costs a little, but u pay escrow first, get the item sent to you and negotiate how many days you need to check the item out, then when your satisfied, escrow pays the seller.

this way you dont get ripped off.

i bought a nord rack 2 like this. Dont knwo if its an appropriate method for all items.. but hey....

[wheezer]

If you go for someone with a healthy amount of positive ratings (100 or more), you should be ok - I've bought all kinds of shit from ebay including a rather pricey ghettoblaster, so far every deal has worked out, with one arriving this week that admittedly was 3 months old hehe...

paypal also offers you protection but I believe it was only up to $400 which wouldn't cover it...

[carbonizedeyesockets]

The escrow thing is a good tip, but as ANT said Ebay is like crack (maybe worse)

[Yer_Maw]

theres plenty of shops in glasgow ian c. priceless computing etc and theres one at the other side of the kingston bridge where i got my components. they do them pretty cheap and will mibby save you the hassle of ebay

[djerome]

i prefer buying a lower end pc that is new (or refurbished) from a store or reputable mail order. they have models that are made to be affordable. i dont mind buying someones old pc, but i fix pc's all the time and i can replace anything myself should something break.

[djerome]

many stores advertise on ebay as well.

[iain c]

thanks all for your advice ,ill just have to watch what im doing :)

[c s]

Originally posted by FredDibnah
when looking at pc's don't forget you need an OS - most cheap machines don't come with one - if it is second hand PC then legally you do not own the OS

of course you do, provided the seller hands out the original cd.