bargain or dodgy dealings?

natnifnolnacs

I'm looking to buy a ps3 at the moment. I'm on a budget so am looking at 2nd hand options or trying to get some sort of cut price deal or on credit. I came across this guy on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.ie/NEW-PlayStation-3-System-international-warranty-/250709414046?pt=UK_VideoGames_VideoGameConsoles_VideoGameConsoles&hash=item3a5f72109e#ht_500wt_922

He has 16 of them for sale, all at the same starting price. He does seem to run an ebay shop selling electronics and has good ratings/feedback. I realise they are not "buy it now" prices but with 16 auctions all ending within minutes of each other in 19 hours am I looking at a bargain or something best avoided?

tonydude

hmm hes got low feedbck so its hard to tell, if you do get a reject paypal would get your money back. Its iffy no other ps3 has any bids and hes never sold them before. Are they even boxed?

natnifnolnacs

tonydude wrote: »

hmm hes got low feedbck so its hard to tell, if you do get a reject paypal would get your money back. Its iffy no other ps3 has any bids and hes never sold them before. Are they even boxed?

I'm not sure about the boxed bit, but it does say if there is any damage due to shipping I can return it for a refund so at worst I am down for the shipping...

tonydude

its up to you lad, keep an eye on the bidding and ask about the box. Would it get caught at customs?

natnifnolnacs

Customs never occurred to me...I'll send him a mail asking about those 2 things thanks!

More than likely you will get stung for duty as most of the products he has are shipped from Guernsey.

the_syco

Has Sony banned any of the hacked PS3's yet?

Grumpypants

It does look ok if its an auction that price will rise, but the only bit that worried me was he says it comes in the official box direct from manufacturer but then says it may come in a blank box or bag? Ive never heard of any manufacturer shipping anything to a different location to be put in the correct box !!

natnifnolnacs

the_syco wrote: »

Has Sony banned any of the hacked PS3's yet?

right now that worries me. Although he does state they are new so shouldn't be a problem I don't think? I can get a refund if it doesn't work

Grumpypants wrote: »

It does look ok if its an auction that price will rise, but the only bit that worried me was he says it comes in the official box direct from manufacturer but then says it may come in a blank box or bag? Ive never heard of any manufacturer shipping anything to a different location to be put in the correct box !!

Yeah I've emailed him asking about the box and what it will be marked for customs. If I hear back I'll post up what he says.

Of the 16 auctions only 1 of them has bids...with 9 hours left I'd imagine 1 of them should stay pretty cheap. I would be worried if they are sourced in a non legitimate way that down the line they could be banned from the network or something, but I don't know if that is a possibility

Thanks for the advice so far, some stuff I wouldn't have thought of myself!

valleyoftheunos

Where did he get them from would be the first question I'd be asking, and I'd want a clear answer.

In cases like these you pays your money and you takes your chance, although PayPal will cover you if anything goes wrong.

Remember if something seems to good to be true it probably is.

natnifnolnacs

ok so the email I sent him was as follows:

"Hi, I just want to check the item is in the
original box. Also, what will it be marked for
customs? I don't want to get stung paying tax on
it!

And just to confirm, these are brand new(not
refurbed?) and will work correctly with uk tv's
etc?

thanks"

He replied with

yes everything new original in box about tax ask you cusrtom but i packing in another box and write gift so

Definitely not a native english speaker. This on it's own is not a problem, but I'm just worried that they are brought in from some other country and won't be compatible or something.

I emailed back

Thanks for that.

Could you also confirm that these are brand
new(not refurbished) and that they are 100%
compatible with uk tv's and that they have not
been blocked from the play station network. If the
above checks out I am very interested, but without
knowing these details it is difficult to bid.

Thanks

natnifnolnacs

Ì just got an email back from the seller:

"ok yes is brand new original work good inuk wit uk suport if something no good you can return item i refund whole money after if i receive item back"

that was sent to me through ebay so I should be ok for a refund if it's not up to scratch...I think I'll take a punt on it!

threein99

Gamestop are offering preowned PS3'S for 200 Euro, I went into to buy one today and they had none in stock :mad: anyone know how often they get them in ?

Brozy

threein99 wrote: »

Gamestop are offering preowned PS3'S for 200 Euro, I went into to buy one today and they had none in stock :mad: anyone know how often they get them in ?

Saw that deal in Gamestop today in Stephens Green. You could probably ring around to see if you could reserve one.

natnifnolnacs

well I guess I was saved having to find out the hard way. I bid on a few of them but they all went over what I was willing to pay for an unknown quantity so the search continues!

I might have a look at that gamestop deal and see