Rip off 'gaming' pc's on adverts

spix

Shocked by the amount of these I've seen recently. Gaming pc's with non-gaming graphics cards. Reported the ad's but apparently its acceptable to do this (probably as long as you pay for a priority or premium ad)

http://www.adverts.ie/desktops/amd-gaming-pc/2132218
cost of the parts - http://i49.tinypic.com/2r768li.png

This guy below is the worst offender, has sold a couple of them already.

http://www.adverts.ie/desktops/gaming-pc/2170782

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Vantage-AMD-FX-Quad-Core-3-6Ghz-Desktop-Gaming-PC-500gb-8gb-DDR3-ATI-6570-1gb-/140652977616?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item20bf921dd0

Eboggles

spix wrote: »

Shocked by the amount of these I've seen recently. Gaming pc's with non-gaming graphics cards. Reported the ad's but apparently its acceptable to do this (probably as long as you pay for a priority or premium ad)

http://www.adverts.ie/desktops/amd-gaming-pc/2132218
cost of the parts - http://i49.tinypic.com/2r768li.png

This guy below is the worst offender, has sold a couple of them already.

http://www.adverts.ie/desktops/gaming-pc/2170782

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Vantage-AMD-FX-Quad-Core-3-6Ghz-Desktop-Gaming-PC-500gb-8gb-DDR3-ATI-6570-1gb-/140652977616?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item20bf921dd0

Nah, HappyPC is the worst. He basically gave away €100s of euro worth of software that was obviously pirated along with his ridiculously overpriced builds.

The worst thing is, you see people buy from him everyday.

PogMoThoin

Murphy's law: it is morally wrong for suckers to keep their money

Big Lar

spix wrote: »

Shocked by the amount of these I've seen recently. Gaming pc's with non-gaming graphics cards. Reported the ad's but apparently its acceptable to do this (probably as long as you pay for a priority or premium ad)

http://www.adverts.ie/desktops/amd-gaming-pc/2132218
cost of the parts - http://i49.tinypic.com/2r768li.png

What do you expect the seller to do, Sell it at cost ?

That seller has went off and put their money where their mouth is and put a machine together then spent money on advertising and is willing to take the time out to answer the ads on Adverts and all you can do is moan.

Why dont you assemble the PC yourself and sell it for €286.00..............

Jesus, I just hate that kinda ****e lad

spix

Big Lar wrote: »

What do you expect the seller to do, Sell it at cost ?

That seller has went off and put their money where their mouth is and put a machine together then spent money on advertising and is willing to take the time out to answer the ads on Adverts and all you can do is moan.

Why dont you assemble the PC yourself and sell it for €286.00..............

Jesus, I just hate that kinda ****e lad

Time out to answer the ads on adverts... come on.

They should be registered as shops then, not private sellers. They are not selling their own personal items, they are trying to make money.

ShadowHearth

to be honest, as long as its all legal and no pirated software offered, then they can do whatever they want.

There is nothing wrong for selling it for more, then it costed to build. Its a business, everyone are trying to make a few quid, which ever way they can.

now the other part of the story is: you buy stuff on adverts, with no knowladge about it. making it even worse, by not using boards.ie to have an advice on the item for sale on adverts.ie... if you are an idiot, then you deserve your money to be taken away from you.

spix

ShadowHearth wrote: »

to be honest, as long as its all legal and no pirated software offered, then they can do whatever they want.

There is nothing wrong for selling it for more, then it costed to build. Its a business, everyone are trying to make a few quid, which ever way they can.

now the other part of the story is: you buy stuff on adverts, with no knowladge about it. making it even worse, by not using boards.ie to have an advice on the item for sale on adverts.ie... if you are an idiot, then you deserve your money to be taken away from you.

Not everyone is knowledgeable about computer parts though, doesn't mean they are idiots, they believe what the ad description says... I remember a time when I was like that It's easy to get tricked into buying crap computers at high prices.

It's false advertisement selling a computer with a 5450 as a gaming pc. If the buyers knew the actual cost of the parts, there's not a hope in hell they'd have bought it.

There's no doubt the windows software is pirated, who owns multiple legit copies of windows 7 ultimate? If it was legit, they would be loosing money with every computer sold. They should at least use home premium to make it less obvious.

Serephucus

spix wrote: »

There's no doubt the windows software is pirated, who owns multiple legit copies of windows 7 ultimate? If it was legit, they would be loosing money with every computer sold. They should at least use home premium to make it less obvious.

Depends. I own four copies of Win7 Ultimate, and they're legit.

spix

Serephucus wrote: »

Depends. I own four copies of Win7 Ultimate, and they're legit.

Would you sell them with a computer which you're making 100 euro profit on before windows is installed ?

ShadowHearth

spix wrote: »

Not everyone is knowledgeable about computer parts though, doesn't mean they are idiots, they believe what the ad description says... I remember a time when I was like that It's easy to get tricked into buying crap computers at high prices.

It's false advertisement selling a computer with a 5450 as a gaming pc. If the buyers knew the actual cost of the parts, there's not a hope in hell they'd have bought it.

There's no doubt the windows software is pirated, who owns multiple legit copies of windows 7 ultimate? If it was legit, they would be loosing money with every computer sold. They should at least use home premium to make it less obvious.

i did not called people who dont know about hardware - idiots. i called people idiots, who dont know about hardware and buy scrap without even getting advice or at least basic info, specially when adverts.ie is linked to boards.ie, which has one of the best "building pc" forums i ever came across.

Serephucus

Lord no. I'm just being a pedantic jerk is all. :P

I can see both sides of it here. What the guy is doing is technically fine, though he's being quite the douche for asking for that much more than what the parts are worth. I don't care enough to report his ads or anything, but I do think he should register as a shop if all he's doing is building rigs to sell, rather than selling his own personal stuff; that being the whole point of a business account on Adverts.

frozenfrozen

I thought you weren't allowed to profiteer on adverts with a personal account..

Serephucus

You're not.

spix

Serephucus wrote: »

Lord no. I'm just being a pedantic jerk is all. :P

I can see both sides of it here. What the guy is doing is technically fine, though he's being quite the douche for asking for that much more than what the parts are worth. I don't care enough to report his ads or anything, but I do think he should register as a shop if all he's doing is building rigs to sell, rather than selling his own personal stuff; that being the whole point of a business account on Adverts.

Exactly my thoughts but it seems this is allowed on private accounts now. Its obvious what they're up to, but adverts don't seem to give a crap. The lies in the ad descriptions just makes it worse, saying it was a gift, or won it at work and my favourite.. "I got a gaming computer on the 21/6/2012 from UK.From my grandperants.i have a laptop and xbox 360 so i just dont need it.It was 749.99 pounds."

He sold that one for 580 euro, through lies. He got it for under 350 euro on ebay.

I don't know why I care so much ... I just hate seeing people ripped off.

Sulla Felix

spix wrote: »

Not everyone is knowledgeable about computer parts though, doesn't mean they are idiots, they believe what the ad description says... I remember a time when I was like that It's easy to get tricked into buying crap computers at high prices.

It's false advertisement selling a computer with a 5450 as a gaming pc. If the buyers knew the actual cost of the parts, there's not a hope in hell they'd have bought it.

There's no doubt the windows software is pirated, who owns multiple legit copies of windows 7 ultimate? If it was legit, they would be loosing money with every computer sold. They should at least use home premium to make it less obvious.

Advertising, generally, isn't to be trusted. People should have that drilled into them from the moment they're first plonked in front of a TV.

A certain amount of personal responsibility has to enter into it. I know sweet f all about cars, so when I go to buy one I borrow a more knowledgeable friend or pay a local mechanic to take a look and advise.

If I didn't, it wouldn't make me stupid, but it would mean that any fault that accrues is purely mine, has nothing to do with the seller.

sink

If he has to register as a shop/business he may end up being liable for VAT, but it also means he should be able to buy the parts ex VAT.

spix

sink wrote: »

If he has to register as a shop/business he may end up being liable for VAT, but it also means he should be able to buy the parts ex VAT.

Having a shop on adverts doesn't make you liable for vat, but it you are vat registered you obviously have to pay it.

ShadowHearth

Sulla Felix wrote: »

Advertising, generally, isn't to be trusted. People should have that drilled into them from the moment they're first plonked in front of a TV.

A certain amount of personal responsibility has to enter into it. I know sweet f all about cars, so when I go to buy one I borrow a more knowledgeable friend or pay a local mechanic to take a look and advise.

If I didn't, it wouldn't make me stupid, but it would mean that any fault that accrues is purely mine, has nothing to do with the seller.

i hope all those people who buy those PCs will never discover ebay! :pac:

ED E

spix wrote: »

It's false advertisement selling a computer with a 5450 as a gaming pc. If the buyers knew the actual cost of the parts, there's not a hope in hell they'd have bought it.

Nike Runners, Cost to produce, €10, Price, €200. People still buy.



And there are such thing as enterprise licences, not that I believe these guys use them.

spix

ED E wrote: »

Nike Runners, Cost to produce, €10, Price, €200. People still buy.



And there are such thing as enterprise licences, not that I believe these guys use them.

Not a great comparison tbh as the parts are already manufactured, he just needs to put them together.. like lego One guy is already buying the pc's ready built, simply installs windows and adds 150+ euro onto the price.

ED E

Wonder would MS Ireland take any action if they were informed about these guys?

benchppress

If he is buying the parts, assembling and installing an os that works ignoring licences he is still justified adding 25% to the cost of parts.

Riesen_Meal

ED E wrote: »

Wonder would MS Ireland take any action if they were informed about these guys?

I'd say so, they fined an old college of mine 20k when they sussed lots of pirate copies of office running on the servers....

spix

benchppress wrote: »

If he is buying the parts, assembling and installing an os that works ignoring licences he is still justified adding 25% to the cost of parts.

He can add whatever percent if he wishes, but its still a rip off considering it takes less than 10 minutes to assemble a computer. He is selling for profit so should not be allowed to sell them as a private seller on adverts.

You never know... some people who buy these computers might be aware of the cost elsewhere, but since they think a legit copy of windows 7 ultimate is included, they think its a good deal.

ED E

If they're SLIC activated the user may never realize its not legit, but if he's just arming then when they update the system could self nuke, not exactly fair on the customer.

deceit

I just asked on the first link and its pretty easy to see its a fake copy of windows 7 so that will help buyers, they can make their minds up after that. I think someone answering in pm is usually a sign of he has something to hide.

spix

deceit wrote: »

I just asked on the first link and its pretty easy to see its a fake copy of windows 7 so that will help buyers, they can make their minds up after that. I think someone answering in pm is usually a sign of he has something to hide.

He'll probably report your comment and get it remove. I questioned one of the ad's and it was removed and I was given a warning for thread spoiling.

deceit

spix wrote: »

He'll probably report your comment and get it remove. I questioned one of the ad's and it was removed and I was given a warning for thread spoiling.

Yea but the thing is I was asking a genuine question and if it was a retail copy of windows 7 ultimate I would have bought the pc for that and sold the pc on for parts. So I don't see an issue with it as I was asking a question so I could make a more educated purchasing decision

spix

deceit wrote: »

Yea but the thing is I was asking a genuine question and if it was a retail copy of windows 7 ultimate I would have bought the pc for that and sold the pc on for parts. So I don't see an issue with it as I was asking a question so I could make a more educated purchasing decision

I put in a low offer with my reason being how much it cost on ebay,.... removed + warned.

deceit

spix wrote: »

I put in a low offer with my reason being how much it cost on ebay,.... removed + warned.

yea your not allowed post other sales from other sites thats in the rules, what I did your allowed do

Zardoz

From what I can see most stuff on Adverts is overpriced.
People are selling second hand goods for more than you'd buy them new in a shop,bizarre.

tritium

I'm not a fan of the practice, but then again when you see the overpriced crap that the dells and pcworlds of this world have marketed as "ultimate gaming machine" you can't help but conclude that the adverts seller is just threading a well worn path....

spix

Seems like he's caught another one I suspect that comment re its part/price ratio is the same guy that made the ad. Can't believe adverts don't do anything, if someone was suspected of selling pirated windows on ebay it would be removed instantly.

deceit

spix wrote: »

Seems like he's caught another one I suspect that comment re its part/price ratio is the same guy that made the ad. Can't believe adverts don't do anything, if someone was suspected of selling pirated windows on ebay it would be removed instantly.

They will play dumb until a big deal is made of it and they are forced to deal with it.

Gbear

ShadowHearth wrote: »

i did not called people who dont know about hardware - idiots. i called people idiots, who dont know about hardware and buy scrap without even getting advice or at least basic info, specially when adverts.ie is linked to boards.ie, which has one of the best "building pc" forums i ever came across.

To be fair, you need to know a fair bit about something before you know you don't actually know anything about it.

BostonB

frozenfrozen wrote: »

I thought you weren't allowed to profiteer on adverts with a personal account..

Serephucus wrote: »

You're not.

I think thats an obsolete rule. It was changed AFAIK when it went commercial.

Profit =/= Profiteer

Unfortunately thats a misunderstanding that has plagued adverts users and mods for years.

I don't have a problem with someone buying parts, assembling a PC and selling it at a profit. They're putting the capital up front, spend time building it and taking the risk that it doesnt sell and becomes obsolete/worth less.

Selling stuff with pirated software/OS is completely out of order though.

spix

Deleted User wrote: »

Profit =/= Profiteer

Unfortunately thats a misunderstanding that has plagued adverts users and mods for years.

I don't have a problem with someone buying parts, assembling a PC and selling it at a profit. They're putting the capital up front, spend time building it and taking the risk that it doesnt sell and becomes obsolete/worth less.

Selling stuff with pirated software/OS is completely out of order though.

In my opinion when the description contains lies about its actual value to trick potential buyers and pretending it was a gift or won it as a prize, then it becomes profiteering

Monotype

To be honest, I haven't too much of a problem if people overcharge for something. It's up to the consumer to check around.

However, it really irritates me to see "gaming PC" with a 5450. I mean a 5450 is really bad. Even a 6450 is luxurious in comparison. I feel sorry for the poor sods that get their 700W awesomo brand PSU in there as well.

I know many of the big PC manufacturers have done it in the past - saying something is a gaming PC and throwing in a 7300LE or something, but I think much of it has been cut out - especially with the whole 'Windows Vista Capable' thing. It's poor practice and I'd probably remove the ad under misleading grounds if it were up to me. I don't think adverts should put up with the piracy either. If someone wants to do it themselves, then so be it - but selling it is not on.

marco_polo

Just reported this but what a generous man, only €400 for a PC with "no Win7 licence included, just fresh install" and "Fit for latest games like Max Payne 3, LA Noire, GTA V, Mafia 2, COD MW3, Alan Wake, all of which can be preloaded on request"

Although it is probably worth it just for the super early preview copy of GTA V

EDIT: Deleted link as adverts have removed it.

spix

This is the same guy

http://www.adverts.ie/desktops/6core-12gb-usb3-gaming-pc/2389294

He constantly makes new accounts to get free premium bumps (I've counted at least 5) this is his latest one, cba reporting it. I did with the previous ones and they got deleted but adverts just seem to let him keep making them..

another one
http://www.adverts.ie/desktops/gaming-pc-just-460e/2368744


original account mentioned in op http://www.adverts.ie/member/440364

areyawell

Just built a gaming PC for 440 quid, will stick it for the craic and see how much I get for it

tuxy

spix wrote: »

This is the same guy

http://www.adverts.ie/desktops/6core-12gb-usb3-gaming-pc/2389294

I asked him if it was a legitimate copy of the software and he said he used his friends key :rolleyes:

uncle_sam_ie

tuxy wrote: »

I asked him if it was a legitimate copy of the software and he said he used his friends key :rolleyes:

Lol, is he using his friends Steam account as well.

Hank Scorpio

Ridiculous tbh

spix

"@tuxy how you can activate not legal windows??? "

Funniest thing I've ever read

ED E

They're gonna ban you from adverts for a week for that most likely ^^

tuxy

I think I touched a nerve.

The thing is apart from his many adverts accounts and illegal software what he is doing is grand.
He just needs to stop advertising software that he does not own.

tuxy

ED E wrote: »

They're gonna ban you from adverts for a week for that most likely ^^

I would hope they would ban him for a little longer.

ED E

tuxy wrote: »

I would hope they would ban him for a little longer.

They wont IP ban so it doesnt matter. And even if they did, he'd just proxy up. No way to stop it without hiring a proper mod to filter the crap.

Tij da feen

I'm curious to see how many games he'll tell me are going to be on that PC, that his friend just bought and then gave away.