LFaWolf
I just want to vent of my string of bad luck buying used computer hardware.
 
1. Bought a motherboard from eBay with slight blurry pictures of the CPU socket visible. No bent pins. Seller shipped late and the board arrived with many bent pins (why?). After back and forth with seller accusing me of dropping the CPU, I had to get eBay to refund.
2. Bought 1 SSD from eBay. It was a scam attempt from China, even though address was listed in US. I had to get eBay to refund.
3. Bought 1 SSD from a Hard forum member. Seller refunded the next day and gave some excuse of the laptop HDD dying. Actually I believe seller under-priced it and regretted. Member had over 100+ all positive Heatware.
4. Attempted to buy a MB+CPU+cooler combo from an Overclockers forum member. Seller pulled bait and switch, twice! Saying his son sold the combo somewhere else (and deleted the original listing), tried to sell me something more. I said yes, then the next day said he changed his mind, tried to sell me another combo for even higher price, and priced above market. And then sent me sarcastic PMs until I called him out on it. Then he sort of apologized and tried to bribe me with a used video card to say that I won in his give-away (I will have to pay for shipping). I refused. Sigh 
5. Tried to buy a batch of PSUs from a reviewer. The price negotiation came down to a difference of a measly $25, but seller won't budge. You got them for free! My goodness. Would you rather just ship them one by one? Apparently now seller would rather them be recycled than selling them. I am like, what?
6. Bought 1 SSD from eBay. It was a scam attempt from China, even though address was listed in US. I had to get eBay to refund. No this is not a typo from (2). It was another transaction.
7. Tried to buy a batch of fans from another Overclockers forum member. Seller insisted on $9 per fan, instead of $8. This is for 10+ fans, but seller would rather sell and ship them 1 by 1. People have too much free time now?   Just shipping alone will cost seller more than a $1.
8. Bought a CPU and case from Newegg. They arrived but were stolen before I got home. Filed resolution with Newegg. After 1 week it was approved, and so far still has not been credited back to my gift cards. This now 2 weeks already. Newegg is also giving me the run around regarding its accounting department, and I am a Premier member! I for sure will not renew my Premier membership.
9. Bought a motherboard from another Overclockers forum member. We agreed that he/she could ship 3 days (Saturday) after I paid. Said 3 days passed, nothing. On 5th day (Monday) I sent PM, nothing. On 6th day PM again, nothing. Open Paypal claim that night, finally got PM back. Sent me sarcastic PM and was upset with my Paypal claim. Said about busy with kids, etc. Said now worried that I will find faults with MB to blame seller, and gave me of attitude of "whatever, get Paypal to refund you". Escalated to Paypal and currently waiting for judgement. Member had over 100+ all positive Heatware!
 
All of these happened within the last 2 months. I think I am done buying used hardware or maybe even from Newegg. I lost trust in people selling used hardware. I think Heatware is useless. People don't report bad transactions for whatever reasons (retribution?)
 
And yes, laugh at my misfortune, but never pay with Paypal gifts, regardless of how many positive feedback people have. Good thing I never do that. Do not trust people. 

Athena
I gave up buying used items years back.  I guess it is partly from being burned like your story and partly the idea that if there are going to be fries under the seat they are mine.

WackyWRZ
I've had good luck both buying and selling used parts too.  I hate selling on eBay because (outside of the high fees) they seem to side with the buyer 99% of the time if an issue comes up - even if there's good proof.  I've been burned a few times selling something on there that has shied me away.  That said I feel relatively safe buying - and have bought quite a few (15+) used items in the past few months and had relatively little issue.  I've had 3 issues - one item came not working (auto-loader tape drive), another item damaged in shipping, and a server was completely missing the PERC RAID card which it was advertised to have.  All three incidents were resolved completely without having to involve eBay or PayPal.  When it comes to cell phones I like to use Swappa.  Lower fees, checked ESNs, etc...  Amazon Warehouse Deals is usually a solid bet to get a good discount off a new item as well.  They list as "used" but it usually is just damaged packaging.  I also prefer to buy refurbished items when possible.  
 
I've see a TON of these SSD scams on eBay the last week or two when I was looking for a server SSD.  Go search a SSD and you'll find a bunch of new listings - the seller has little to no feedback, and they always have a QTY of 5.  I've reported several individual auctions to eBay as I come across them but a week later they're still there...
 
No reason to laugh at your misfortune!  There's so much crap that goes on these days - it's annoying to see it happen to others.  At some level though I think it's a calculated risk we take buying used and some amount of "headache" is to be expected.

somethingc00l
Hard to follow, but #9 sounds like you might have made the issue yourself. I know if someone opened a paypal dispute if I was 3 days late shipping something I'd be upset as well. Have some chill.

LFaWolf

somethingc00l
Hard to follow, but #9 sounds like you might have made the issue yourself. I know if someone opened a paypal dispute if I was 3 days late shipping something I'd be upset as well. Have some chill.

No response from 2 PMs for 2 days as well.

loveha

LFaWolf

somethingc00l
Hard to follow, but #9 sounds like you might have made the issue yourself. I know if someone opened a paypal dispute if I was 3 days late shipping something I'd be upset as well. Have some chill.

No response from 2 PMs for 2 days as well.

If I'm not going to ship when I say I'm going to ship I keep the person apprised of the situation. No excuse. Takes less than 5 minutes to send a PM.

JJ77ply1
Would you wish for a buyer rating as well as a seller rating? The seller being able to rate the transaction also. Using this you can avoid any potential problems with the 'customer' and avoid selling to them altogether.

At bit like 'firing' a client because they ask you to cut corners, but they still expect the same quality in a shorter amount of time.