Would YOU buy a laptop off ebay?

[Adi12982]

I found this close to $400:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5291688


I would NOT buy off of ebay unless I was only paying a few dollars for it!

 

[shades]

My SIL bought a computer from an Ebay seller and she said it was a "NIGHTMARE" to get her money back. Fortunately, she paid with a credit card and was able to do a charge back. She said "NEVER AGAIN". Basically, the computer was not as described by a long shot.

Personally, I would never purchase a computer off Ebay. Too risky for my comfort zone. I would especially stay away from Ebay if the computer is meant to be a gift.

 

[momxx5]

I hope everything works out.
Keep us posted.


My personal rule: Do not spend money buying on eBay that I am not willing to lose. I look at it as a "risk", if I am comfortable risking the money, meaning losing that amount of money or acknowledging that I may not get what I wished for, then I'll bid.... otherwise no go for me.
Needless to say, my eBay purchase....around 10 items total ever....are for things that are either $10-20 or items from an eBay store with a phone number so I can actually talk to someone.

Good luck.

 

[Minnie]

I'd stick with a desktop system for 2 reasons -

1 - IMO I would NOT purchase a laptop for a 15 year old. Those are so fragile that even I at well much older than that have concerns.

2 - Since $$$ is definitely a concern you get soooo much for your $ purchasing a desktop system. Your $ would go a lot further.

I'd only purchase from Ebay if you can afford to loose the money. Otherwise I'd stick with a refurbished model from a company you can trust or head out early on Black Friday to try to grab a deal.

Good luck!

 

[Jim5150]

I have never been burned on Ebay myself although I am extremely careful especially w/ electronics.

My recommendation would be to look for a refurbished unit that carries a manufacturers warranty. You can try Ebay, Tiger Direct, and the manufacture store sites themselves.

Good luck

 

[robinb]

I would watch www.fatwallet.com for deals on new laptops. There are always laptops (also search on "notebook") in their Hot Deals section. Many times you can order the computers online to be shipped to you. Fat Wallet also has a pretty complete list of Black Friday deals. There are always cheap laptops offered to lure people into a store.

I bought my Acer Aspire 1.73GHz Core Duo from CompUSA for only $550 about 6 weeks ago. I followed the Fat Wallet discussions for about 4 weeks prior until I knew what I wanted and then I jumped on it as soon as I saw the deal.

ETA: A lot of the fleaBay (as FatWallet people call them, LOL) people bought the laptop above for resale and I see a whole bunch of them on eBay now .

 

[Hedy]

I'd look at refurbished computers, if Ebay makes you leery. I'd buy one, but only after knowing what I wanted.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I simply would not risk buying a laptop on eBay, even from a seller with a lot of excellent feedback for selling laptops. It is an extremely high fraud area.

 

[Liberty Belle]

We bought two. They've been great. I would definitely only go with an established seller who has great feedback and has sold expensive items in the recent past.

 

[Liberty Belle]

We bought two. They've been great. I would definitely only go with an established seller who has great feedback and has sold expensive items in the recent past.

 

[Kies99]

I would recommend seller "csrtechnoloie" for a laptop on Ebay.

I AM IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH THE SELLER!

I bought a Dell from them back in October of 2005. It was a corporate lease turn-in that had been used for maybe 2 years. The only issue I had was it had the batter that was recalled. I was able to easily get it replaced by following the Dell Batter recall procedures. Other than the battery, the things been running fine.

As for the seller, they were very easy to deal with and shipped everything very quickly and well packed.

 

[Frantasmic]

I purchased a laptop off of EBay in 2001. It was a Toshiba and had been bought up off of a company that was doing refurb on their laptops. The laptop itself was refurbed and lasted a longtime.

If you find a good one, generally those that have the buy now price options (i.e., have a slew of them on hand), I'd consider it a good purchase.

 

[Chicago526]

My choices are not happening with a laptop for DD15 for the holidays........i JUST cannot afford a new laptop. $600- 700$. I was told by my sister that i should stay away from Compaq ($400) so thats out. I have been looking on ebay.....i see tons of them for below $300. I am always afraid to buy from ANY seller, regardless of a 1$ item or a $500 item if the seller has less that 99% feedback...but i still wonder, How many Diser's would buy a laptop off ebay???

any input would be great!

Tina

If I may make a suggestion...why not just chip in what you CAN afford, and have your DD15 pay for the rest out of her own pocket? She still gets a laptop for Christmas, you don't go broke, and because she paid for part of it, she's more likely to take care of it better. Just a though! Good luck!