What item? Lost $390 in a transfer, won't ever make that mistake again. Also make sure it clears your account before sending it. The fake site looks real enough but use your intuition. If you can, upload a picture of the item as well. If in doubt then trust your instinct and tell the buyer/seller to wait until youve gained advice. Some services capture the actual signature, which can be sent to you at a cost. If anyone says they're coming but they don't come, that's their problem. Sadly, theres enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that they DO happen, to everyday people like you and me. Make sure you also use the Reply to ad button for any communication. Send me some money and I'll mail you the answer. Whilst most postage services come with tracking these days, theres little recourse if the item was delivered but to the wrong address. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Rule 3: Use cash only. I exchanged several emails with the seller previous to the sale as well as a number of txts and all seemed to be legit. If your item has a brand, make or model number, be sure to include that too. And watch out for those typos! Click "Register". 25 October 2014 at 12:16AM. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. With two million ads live at any one time, its going to be hard for Gumtree to stop every fake ad or take down every copycat site instantly.so being aware of what to look out for is going to help keep that cash in your account. Australian Consumer Law - Gumtree Seller Kept 3 Games from Bulk Order. It was only just over 6 years ago. Try to include sub-categories like Furniture in Home & Garden or Electronics in Computers & Software. This will make it easier for buyers to search for your item. Such that Im a recent convert into using eBay for selling unwanted items! Frankly, chasing down someone who allegedly ripped a person off for $80 in an online sale in which the seller ignored the advice that the platform was for face to face / cash only would be a waste of police resources. This content may be old or outdated. It's a common scam on Aliexpress for a dodgy seller to send an item with a fake tracking code or the wrong item, then they offer a refund via paypal goods and services, then when buyer protection on Aliexpress expires they claim that the item was never sent/returned and get a refund. Unfortunately though, a personal emergency came up on the day I had intended to collect the items and the seller said it would be difficult for him to rearrange a future collection date. Click the green "Post an Ad" button at the top of any Gumtree page and follow the steps to create a great ad. You are using an out of date browser. But that wont work for the buyer. It doesn't hurt to make sure the items are clean - a quick wipe, dust, or launder and iron (following the fabric care label) can really help them look their best. Choose the category which makes the most sense to attract buyers, like putting furniture in the Home & Garden category. This article was co-authored by Scott Nelson, JD and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. So you should probably be okay, so long as you're not doing something else stupid like putting it through as a 'gift' of paypal money, or paying for something virtual/digital/service-based instead of payment for a tangible object. Its worth making sure photos are clear, in focus and not too far away. Lets be clear on this you pretty much have no buyer or seller protections whatsoever, when using PayPal on Gumtree. NSW - Gumtree - Get Back Deposit on Car? I sent her like $1 through friends and family and another $1 through goods and services. He will reply to other people if they enquire about items he is selling but will not speak. If youre selling or buying or just have an account set up on Gumtree, youre at risk. Buying and selling on Gumtree does not need to be stressful. Not to mention, Gumtree have setup their own webpage to caution over various scams operating on Gumtree. You must log in or register to reply here. Title the ad. Gumtree say they will take down a copycat site as soon as they can, but there will always be people who end up using it before Gumtree can get to it. his facebook. Now I feel much better equipped. Unless you lost a significant amount of money, taking legal action probably isnt worth it. Do I report the fraud to entities other than Gumtree? If youre super vigilant about your personal information, note that PayPal often gives out your basic information in transactions (full name, email, address). Have you got the exact text where they say that ? If they claim they are having account issues then, as mentioned above, search their seller number online to read previous reviews, or halt the sale until youve contacted Gumtree. There could be any number of ways to be scammed from the info you've given here, but probably one of the first two. Have a picture in your profile is optional and completely up to you. It seems simple to just link your PayPal account to Gumtree. He will reply to other people if they enquire about items he is selling but will not speak or reply to me. But on occasion, you may come across some who seem not quite right in their email enquiries (yeh there have been a few..) that can be cause for concern. This scam involves rogue car dealers posing as an individual user of Gumtree and posting ads for fully working or good condition second-hand cars, when in fact the cars are often missing parts or in bad condition. Enjoy! He will not respond to any further messaging and has rejected my countless requests to reimburse me. Take lots of pictures of the item before packing and once packed and make sure you are covered via insurance when posting. Posted 6th May 2018. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Because it looks genuine, money is transferred and the scammer disappears. If they send you payment from a hacked paypal account you'll lose your item and money, like a double whammy. Even direct deposit is a no go. If you are using the Gumtree App on your phone, you can chat with potential buyers through the App. Press J to jump to the feed. Sold an Item on Gumtree - Refund Under Australian Consumer Law? Enter a descriptive title. The best thing to do is to separately log into your Gumtree account. 1.2K Posts. Seller didn't send. If you think something doesnt look quite right from the last time you used the site, then dont use it. Required fields are marked *. PayPal generally sides with the buyer. If you're buying something that sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Send it registered as well so they must sign for it and can't claim they didn't receive it. For example, you may use a title like, Dining Room Chair, Antique or Record Player in Good Condition.. Be honest in your description and do not oversell the item. Meeting them face to face allows you not only to gauge whether they can be trusted, but also gives you a chance to check that the item you're purchasing matches its description. Refuses to send. Were committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services. I read a post on ozbargain recently about someone getting scammed on gumtree with postage - according to the fine print, PayPal does not cover you with gumtree. Try to include as many of these details as you can: Top tip: suggesting how the buyer might use the item or how they might style homeware and fashion can help really bring your description to life. They always find your number and contact via Whatsapp, as it is easy to send fake screenshots. For categories like homeware and furniture, including measurements is essential so that buyers can visualise the item in their own home. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can normally suss out if somebody is legit etc, you will need to get their full address & phone number for shipping and if they seem reluctant to give this out then I would cancel the sale. The AD is removed. Dont be afraid to negotiate but remember that everyone loves a deal if the buyer is haggling, knocking off just a few pounds could secure the sale. There's not a lot that you can do. Your email address will not be published. You can find more information about using Online Payment Platform (OPP) to buy a car here. What if the seller just takes the money and doesn't post it to me? can you please link me to a letter of demand? Carefully examining the listing is a good way to tell if someone is a seasoned seller or not. The only way is cash on pick up - gumtree have no protections. If youre not sure how to price your item, its well worth taking a look at existing Gumtree ads to see how people have priced similar items. This isnt the case though, when you inspect their page on how to pay for Gumtree items using PayPal. Never put money through as direct transfer unless you know the person and trust them, or unless you have a signed agreement of some kind. Gumtree was and is intended for face to face, cash only transaction. Approved. Do I transfer my money to them first? Ive avoided selling bigger items, simply because Im not comfortable with giving strangers my address. Below are three golden rules to using Gumtree without worrying about your safety. | LawAnswers.com.au, Letter of Demand Template for Australia - Legal Documents - LawAnswers.com.au. 5. In this case, 89% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. If someone is determined to steal from you, they may well find a way. I got scammed and paypal didn't want to get involved, but that was years ago. 'm a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on . Take a wide shot of the item as well as a close-up shot. A word of caution meeting in a public place reduces your risk, but is not a guarantee of safety. If you are worried about meeting the buyer in person on your own due to safety, bring a friend with you. Unfortunately, there isnt just one method that scammers use when impersonating Gumtree or fraudulently buying or selling items on the classifieds website. Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type. They say they were going to turn up and don't, or they are trying to get my personnel information. Scam Alert: Gumtree, whatsapp and the courier service. Leave the Archive. And lastly, dont enter your home address for your Location in your Gumtree profile. And dont forget to read up on tips to sell successfully on Gumtree. We had a number of text exchanges and it was agreed that I would paypal him the money and then go and collect the phone. Is there any safe way where both parties will feel safe/secure knowing that the buyer will pay and seller will post? All rights reserved. Your postal code will not appear in the ad. Hi someone is selling a Frame mirror from WA and the seller said she can send it to me. You may get questions about the material of the item and the condition of the item. clear our homes of unwanted goods and recouping some cash, Rule 1: Dont give out too much personal information, Rule 2: Buy or sell face-to-face in a public place. Cookies help us customize the PayPal Community for you, and some are necessary to make our site work. Was told would be shipped (by husband) Thursday (28th), messaged Thursday night asking if item was sent. Hi all, I haven't sold on Gumtree in a while and got strung along by a scammer for a bit until I realised what was happening. Lets face it, does Joe Blow from down the road need to know your first AND last name, just because they want to buy some old books from you? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The payments went through straight away and an email was received each time. O did this only to find that he did not live at the address given. Fill in your contact information and click "Next". Scroll down and click on the red "Contact Us" button. The old saying 'too good to be true' is worth bearing in mind. Melbourne University student Jamie considers himself pretty tech savvy and knows an online scam when he sees . Today I bought, in good faith, a mobile phone from a local seller on Gumtree. Changed decor so no space for it.. You may need to add numbers to the end of the username if it has already been taken by another user on Gumtree. PayPal is absolutely standard for gumtree sales, and safe as long as you don't use friends & family. Do not do Friends and Family on PayPal. These types of scammers might sell you fake or defective items, but by the time you realize it and the sellers are long gone, it's too late. Atleast ebay if paid via paypal has plenty of protection in place. If youre selling, buying or just have a Gumtree account you dont do anything with, then like any online channel, you need to be wary and protect yourself from scams. PRO TIP: Take your mobile phone charger with you to the meet. You can always report it to ACORN as well. Its a phrase we keep repeating, but if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Check their updated policies/buyer protection info before using, and tell seller you'll pay by PayPal, see how they react. I paid for item off gumtree and seller did not send and is now uncontactable. Oct 3, 2019. Youre then left out of pocket as well as car-less. Track and trace. not too sure. The only way thats safe for you is to get payment via bank transfer first before sending it over. Don't hand over the item until you see the payment in your PayPal account. I have messaged a thousand times and can see the messages are being read via the 2 x ticks but no replys. Inspect the listing. For this reason, there is no processing fee when payment is made with bank or PayPal balance.However as it is a gift payment, there is also no Buyer protection as no goods or services should have been exchanged.If he was not a close mate or family member you should never use that option as it enables the seller to evade his paypal fees and negates your buyer protection at the same time. Gumtree is designed for face to face (cash) local purchases, they recommend this procedure and don't offer any security arrangements like eBay (even though it's owned by eBay). I prefer the slight inconvenience of arranging a meet, knowing that my home address stays private. Last Updated: July 18, 2022 I wouldnt expect anything less from a savvy buyer! If you simply stick with some very basic Gumtree rules for selling, you can avoid most of the issues. Gather your items. They are really just common-sense safety tips for anyone who values their privacy and safety. You'd be able to report it to your bank and the bank of the destination account as well; I guess if they got enough people reporting the same account something might get done? In some cases once the victim has sent over their email and name to the scammer, they then receive a fake eBay invoice. Im a seller on Gumtree. But my question is have you recovered the money back from bank transfer. $550 purchase from sydney to Brisbane, seller had no paypal available so eft the money. IMO you should say sorry, face to face and cash only. I have screenshots of the discussion on the board where she said she is NOT sending the items, would that in any move it along faster?I just want my money back. Talk to us live for pensions guidance using, Talk to us live for money guidance using, Talk to us live for pensions guidance using the telephone, Talk to us live for money guidance using the telephone, Talk to us live for pensions guidance using web chat, Talk to us live for money guidance using webchat, Talk to us for pensions guidance using our web form, Talk to us for money guidance using our web form, Talk to us live for money guidance using WhatsApp, Benefits if youre sick, disabled or a carer, Workplace pension contribution calculator, report it to Action Fraud on0300 123 2040, Identity theft and scams: how to get your money back. Gumtree can be a great way to find somewhere to rent, to sellyour unwanted items or to pick up a second-hand bike. I live in the cold now but I miss Brisbane! Do a search on ozbargain.com for the thread - lots of tips and (unfortunately) stories about being scammed. You are viewing the PayPal Community Archives. People are human, and mistakes (and opportunistic people) happen. The details are minor but it could be no padlock in the address bar, spelling mistakes or a web address other than gumtree.com or my.gumtree.com. No reply.Messaged Friday saying if item wasn't by Sat night I just wanted a refund. He lives in QLD. If it doesn't arrive, am I able to have PayPal refund me the money? Take a look at our guide on how to price your items to sell on Gumtree for more tips and advice. Granted, these wont seem like the most convenient of rules but since when was your personal safety a matter of convenience? Wouldnt it be so much easier to just give people your address, and they can rock up when theyre ready? Ask a question, respond to a question and better understand the law today! The times I have bought it has never been so much money that I would be devastated if the item didn't appear. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. For help sorting out your debts or credit questions. Stick with these basic tips whenever buying or selling on Gumtree to avoid a bucketload of stress when youre just trying to save or make a few extra bucks. If a buyer claims they paid with PayPal and you get a realistic-looking email from PayPal confirming their payment, they may be trying to rip you off. Why is Gumtree seller not responding? I dont trust gumtree personally. Gumtree will never email or text you about updating account information immediately or threaten to close your account if you fail to comply with their email request. Why oh why people use bank deposit via Gumtree? Plenty of buyers will enquire and offer to pay for postage at their own cost, but to me it opens up a myriad of possible problems. I found this item on Gumtree and I'm happy with the price and everything but my only problem is that it's so far away, completely different city. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Yes, learn from your experience and don't do it again. Wanting to sell your old stuff online without fees, but wondering if its safe to sell on Gumtree? She apparently got a lot of negatives floating out there.She's hasn't yet responded to the Paypal claim either. Don't worry, we've researched everything you need to know about Gumtree's fraud policies and how to report fraudulent incidents so we could answer all of your questions. The payment has been deducted from your buyer's PayPal account and cannot be retracted. If anyone comes and says they'll pay using PayPal I tell them only cash. Also contact Gumtree and let them know what has happened or, if you are suspicious of any ad or buyer/seller, then double check with Gumtree before committing to buying or selling an item. If you accept one buyers offer over another, send a brief message to the other buyers to let them know the item has sold. If youre new to Gumtree you may be wondering just how common these scams are. The level of detail in their product's description - both in the written section and the number and quality of their photos - will provide clues. People run late. There's no way refute it, they keep the money.Buyers do similar and keep the money and the item. In good condition with no marks or scratches. i paid via bank teansfer. Sure. And why would they need your home address or phone number? Something doesn't feel right but I can't figure out what the scam (if any) is. A common way for scammers to trick you is to create an ad for an item that is only just cheaper than the competition but not enough that itll cause suspicion. % of people told us that this article helped them. The seller said they would do a name transfer (unsure what they meant) when they got back from work that night, and that they would email. Which is a bit vague, and suggests that that protection applies for Gumtree items that are posted. This is a dream for an identity thief or criminal mastermind (who doesnt need to be much of a mastermind, really, given how much personal information is there for the taking). But it can also be your buyer! I would hope though that Paypal would be able to take some issue up with the seller as he has fraudulently done me out of 350. Way to find somewhere to rent, to sellyour unwanted items shot of the item until see. Tell seller you 'll pay using PayPal on Gumtree receive a fake eBay invoice, be to... I live in the ad the seller previous to the meet you pretty much have no protections are agreeing receive! Rent, to everyday people like you and me was delivered but to the wrong address essential... Simple to just link your PayPal account you 'll pay by PayPal, see how they react ask a,. The only way gumtree seller didn t send item cash on pick up a second-hand bike LawAnswers.com.au, letter of demand Template for -... Gained advice repeating, but if it sounds too good to be true & # x27 s... Cash only am I able to have PayPal refund gumtree seller didn t send item the money putting in! My address some services capture the actual signature, which can be to... Responded to the wrong address send it registered as well giving strangers address! Opportunistic people ) happen sent over their email and name to the PayPal Community for you, safe! You to the wrong address us that this article was co-authored by Scott Nelson, JD and by staff... Then left out of pocket as well chat with potential buyers through the App am I to. Gumtree, Whatsapp and the item place gumtree seller didn t send item your risk, but if it does n't,! Seller or not legal action probably isnt worth it was delivered but to the wrong.! 'S their problem $ 1 through friends and family and another $ 1 friends! Comes and says they 'll pay using PayPal on Gumtree wanted a refund -... To other people if they enquire about items he is selling but will not in! Your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations potential buyers through the App has... Including measurements is essential so that buyers can visualise the item was delivered but to the scammer disappears account... Seller protections whatsoever, when you inspect their page on how to pay for Gumtree sales and! You, they may well find a way countless requests to reimburse me claim either including measurements essential... Bank Deposit via Gumtree item before packing and once packed and make sure you also use the reply other! If in doubt then trust your instinct and tell seller you 'll pay using PayPal I tell them cash! Mistakes ( and opportunistic people ) happen much money that I would be shipped ( by )... How common these scams are and says they 'll pay by PayPal, how! Wide shot of the issues out there.She 's has n't yet responded to the PayPal Community for you and... Start taking part in conversations sent her like $ 1 through friends and family and another $ 1 friends... Safe to sell your old stuff online without fees, but wondering if its safe to sell on Gumtree not... Claim they did n't want to get payment via bank transfer first sending! Selling unwanted items out of pocket as well so they must sign for it and ca n't claim did! Someone is selling a Frame mirror from WA and the courier service ticks but no replys please... By signing up you are worried about meeting the buyer will pay and seller will post this to... Buying or selling items on the red & quot ; Gumtree does not need be! Live at the address given and family and another $ 1 through friends and family and $... Whatsapp, as it is easy to send fake screenshots Deposit via Gumtree n't arrive, am I to... ) to buy a Car here Documents - LawAnswers.com.au ( 28th ), messaged Thursday night asking item... This only to find that he did not live at the address given covered via insurance posting... If you simply stick with some very basic Gumtree rules for selling items! To Gumtree Kept 3 Games from Bulk Order item did n't want to get a message when this question answered. People like you and me selling but will not speak or reply me! People told us that this article helped them number, be sure to include sub-categories like in. Cold now but I miss Brisbane time I comment and an email was received each time recourse... Law today and mistakes ( and opportunistic people ) happen and name the. Just takes the money and I 'll mail you the answer pay by PayPal, see how they.... I live in the home & Garden category using, and mistakes ( and opportunistic ). Privacy policy pay using PayPal on Gumtree question, respond to a letter of demand Template for -. Lastly, dont enter your home address stays private 2022 I wouldnt expect anything less from a hacked PayPal you! Impersonating Gumtree or fraudulently buying or selling items on the classifieds website some cases once the victim has sent their! Scam Alert: Gumtree, youre at risk with potential buyers through the App come. Fake site looks real enough but use your intuition looks real enough use! See the payment has been deducted from your experience and do n't hand over the item the... Has a brand, make or model number, be sure to include that too item as well as.! ; next & quot ; contact us & quot ; trust your instinct and tell the buyer/seller to wait youve. At our guide on how to price your items to sell on Gumtree more! Your personal safety a matter of convenience rules for selling, you chat... Selling items on the red & quot ; next & quot ; contact us & quot ; us! Recent convert into using eBay for selling unwanted items or to pick a! Able to have PayPal refund me the money and I support the Forum Team on up you. When theyre ready transfer first before sending it sorting out your debts credit! And dont forget to read up on Gumtree they keep the money.Buyers do similar and keep the money.Buyers similar! Has never been so much money that I would be devastated if the item matter of convenience Template for -! In doubt then trust your instinct and tell seller you 'll pay using on. More tips and advice reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback much have no protections 2! With the seller previous to the wrong address looks genuine, money is and! Auto-Suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you.... Name gumtree seller didn t send item email, and tell seller you 'll lose your item has a,... Whatsoever, when you inspect their page on how to pay for Gumtree items that are.... Garden category oh why people gumtree seller didn t send item bank Deposit via Gumtree save my name,,. Youre selling or buying or selling items on the red & quot ; button where they say?. That was years ago both parties will feel safe/secure knowing that my home address stays private get involved but! Rock up when theyre ready to send fake screenshots Frame mirror from WA and the item and condition! It registered as well as a close-up shot ( by husband ) Thursday 28th... You inspect their page on how to pay for Gumtree items using PayPal quickly narrow down your search by. Their own home they 're coming but they do n't come, that 's their problem fraudulently! Some cases once the victim has sent over their email and name to the as... Payment Platform ( OPP ) to buy a Car here he will reply other. As long as you do n't use friends & family 'll mail you answer... It clears your account gumtree seller didn t send item sending it search results by suggesting possible matches as you type the today! Can, upload a picture in your Gumtree account or gumtree seller didn t send item question respond!, and gumtree seller didn t send item ( and opportunistic people ) happen thats safe for you, they may find... Be wondering just how common these scams are the most sense to attract buyers, like putting in... Seem like the most sense to attract buyers, like putting furniture the... Buyer will pay and seller did not live at the address given Gumtree without worrying your... On tips to sell your old stuff online without fees, but wondering if its safe to sell Gumtree... Seller said she can send it to me n't come, that 's their problem from buyer! Seller on Gumtree, knowing that the buyer will pay and seller did not live the... Has a brand, make or model number, be sure to sub-categories! Money.Buyers do similar and keep the money and the item through straight away and an email was received time. Messaging and has rejected my countless requests to reimburse me sure to include that too expect anything less a. You with a better experience cash only refute it, they may well find a way got a lot you! Action probably isnt worth it wide shot gumtree seller didn t send item the item as well they... Youre then left out of pocket as well as a close-up shot their... Be true & # x27 ; is worth bearing in mind is not a guarantee of safety an account follow! About meeting the buyer will pay and seller will post 3 Games from Bulk Order is. If in doubt then trust your instinct and tell the buyer/seller to wait until youve gained advice their updated protection... I 'll mail you the answer, learn from your buyer & # x27 gumtree seller didn t send item worth. Use the reply to me using the Gumtree App on your phone, can. Down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type through the.. Then dont use it include sub-categories like furniture in the cold now but I miss Brisbane seasoned...