Risks of buying a PS4 Pro on eBay?

[79wjd]

I'm considering picking up a PS4 Pro (or a PS4 original/Slim) from eBay since it will be $120~ cheaper than new, but does the PS4 Pro suffer from any major issues that could pose a risk/is there any good way of validating that there isn't a problem early on so I can get a refund if there's a problem.

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

I'm considering picking up a PS4 Pro (or a PS4 original/Slim) from eBay since it will be $120~ cheaper than new, but does the PS4 Pro suffer from any major issues that could pose a risk/is there any good way of validating that there isn't a problem early on so I can get a refund if there's a problem.

depends on the seller. If they just have stock photos of the PS$, it is most likely a scam. Be sure to check for actual, in-person photos of the PS$. Look for product stickers that validate the product.

[79wjd]

Just now, NovaMan01 said:

depends on the seller. If they just have stock photos of the PS$, it is most likely a scam. Be sure to check for actual, in-person photos of the PS$. Look for product stickers that validate the product.

I'm not worried about finding a legitimate seller. I'm worried about buying a PS4/Pro that potentially has a problem. 

[MaxBunny]

1 minute ago, djdwosk97 said:

I'm not worried about finding a legitimate seller. I'm worried about buying a PS4/Pro that potentially has a problem. 

Is there any difference?

[DrMacintosh]

Risks of buying on eBay 

 

1.) Buyer Protection is almost always going to rule in the sellers favor unless the seller was completely clueless about how to rip you off

2.) Seller ships you a working PS4 but his poor packaging destroys it in transit

3.) Seller breaks PS4 on purpose and ships it and says you broke it

4.) Insert some highly unlikely thing here that could never happen to you but that will probably happen to you

 

I would feel a lot better buying from Craiglists or something like that, but I know its not always an option depending on what you are looking for and where you are. 

 

The best thing you can do is to establish a dialog with the seller before you buy. Send them a few messages asking questions. 

[79wjd]

Just now, MaxBunny said:

Is there any difference?

Very much so. 

 

The seller could be a wholesaler who legitimately doesn't realize theres a problem. Or the problem might not have manifested yet.

Just now, DrMacintosh said:

Risks of buying on eBay 

 

1.) Buyer Protection is almost always going to rule in the sellers favor unless the seller was completely clueless about how to rip you off

2.) Seller ships you a working PS4 but his poor packaging destroys it in transit

3.) Seller breaks PS4 on purpose and ships it and says you broke it

4.) Insert some highly unlikely thing here that could never happen to you but that will probably happen to you

 

I would feel a lot better buying from Craiglists or something like that, but I know its not always an option depending on what you are looking for and where you are. 

 

The best thing you can do is to establish a dialog with the seller before you buy. Send them a few messages asking questions. 

I'm more worried about running into a problem (e.g. higher likelihood of something like a YLOD) down the line because of the way it was treated in the past than I am about running into a problem when it arrives -- I'd put it on a CC/Paypal, at which point it's highly likely that buyer protection would work in my favor. 

[DrMacintosh]

Just now, djdwosk97 said:

down the line because of the way it was treated in the past than I am about running into a problem when it arrives -- I'd put it on a CC/Paypal, at which point it's highly likely that buyer protection would work in my favor. 

Buyer protection is always going to favor the seller, that is just the way the system is set up. 

 

1 minute ago, djdwosk97 said:

I'm more worried about running into a problem (e.g. higher likelihood of something like a YLOD) down the line because of the way it was treated in the past than I am about running into a problem when it arrives

The only way to prevent that is to buy new. 

 

But that begs the question, why tf would you want a PS4? "Exclusives?" 

[79wjd]

3 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

Buyer protection is always going to favor the seller, that is just the way the system is set up. 

Paypal will side with the seller for bigger sellers unless you're diligent (e.g. recording opening the box and whatnot) or have a history of your own as a buyer. A CC company will generally side with the buyer. 

3 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

The only way to prevent that is to buy new. 

That's only if there is a major flaw with PS4 Pros, otherwise, it's not really any more risk than any other item. 

3 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

But that begs the question, why tf would you want a PS4? "Exclusives?" 

No, not "exclusives", exclusives.

[Enderman]

Risk of receiving a box with a rock in it

[DrMacintosh]

3 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

That's only if there is a major flaw with PS4 Pros, otherwise, it's not really any more risk than any other item. 

Then why care? You are at the mercy of eBay sellers then. 

 

Cant really do much