How do you know if stuff for sale is real, fake, or stolen?
There’s a Facebook page for a couple of nearby suburbs; they call it the ‘Virtual Garage Sale’ or something like that.
Much of the merchandise is used (as I would expect), and at decent prices. Of course, there’s a lot of stuff I have no interest in, like baby clothes and cribs and football helmets.
There is a subculture of people doing commercial work (that is, selling new stuff that they may have imported or otherwise gotten ahold of). That bothers me since it’s a commercial endeavor, not a garage sale, so I ignore it.
Then there are people selling name brand – well known names – kitchen appliances, computers, TVs, and so on – sometimes still unopened and in the original box.
How do I know if the seller is legit? Or if they stole the item off a loading dock somewhere? Or put a used item back in a box and sealed it well?
Some of these name brand items have pretty good prices.
My question is: should I buy from these people, trusting that they got the merchandise legally? Or just avoid them?
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8 Answers
If the purchase is too good to be true, then It probably is.
Would help if they came with a receipt.
If the person has continuous yards sales, beware. If they’re at a flea market, beware. If they’re selling stuff out of the trunk of their car, beware.
This is an interesting question, and I’ve often wondered the same thing.
Could you ask for a photo of the metal plate that shows all the identification numbers? Then you should be able to go to the manufacturer and ask them if that item had been stolen.
I’m thinking you should delve into the site more. It’s a clear possible way to sell stolen/fake stuff. Perhaps the page took steps to minimize that?...
Can be real and stolen, fake, or fake and stolen, it’s a risk. If they have to original receipt it should be ok, but that is rate and a receipt can be faked.
Some things you can tell they are fakes if you get to feel and hold them, but online you can’t do that.
It sucks.
In some cities there might be a store, not a pawn shop, but a place in a good part of town that sells quality items that has a reputation of being trustworthy. They might sell on consignment or buy from estate sales.
One time I bought something expensive from someone and afterwards I was so worried if it was ok, I never would do it again. I was referred to him by a friend many many years ago. I think maybe he bought the item with an employee discount and then sold it to me. I wouldn’t do it again. Makes me too uncomfortable. It still was expensive, and not worth the savings for the stress.
If you are getting something really cheap then maybe it is worth the risk? I don’t know. Something that is used is more likely to not be stolen I guess? That’s a guess.
I had the impression that people who sell used goods on etsy.com are vetted. You might want to try a site like that.
I was raised that if it seems to be too good to be true then it probably is. So, when the deal is too good, I’d stay away!!! My other way to stay away from those deals is to NOT look to begin with & that way I’m not tempted & it remains easy to not get taken.
Even more concerning to me is that we’ve had several people murdered while meeting the people selling that stuff…or robbed of the cash that they brought with them. There is NO TV cheap enough to die for!!! Plus the odds of being ripped off would be much higher in a city as big as Atlanta. They use fake names & burner phones. Personally, I’d prefer to spend a little bit more or forego buying completely than risk my life!!!
A few questions to the person selling might help. “Why are you getting rid of it?” is a good one. “Why are you selling it for so cheap?” is another. If you start getting sketchy or dodgy answers, time to walk away.
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