Signs that this TradeMe seller is flogging stolen kit or am I paranoid??

Forums › Off topic › Signs that this TradeMe seller is flogging stolen kit or am I paranoid??

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Ultimate Geek
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#2123442 10-Nov-2018 21:34

When I worked in 'the industry' we used to supply a promotional points company with Apple devices. Their members would earn points by shopping with certain suppliers and then they could redeem them for iPhones - iPads etc.

I believe they were sent out with a "Thanks for redeeming 10000 points letter" rather than an invoice as such - as we invoiced the promo company for the $$$ while they deducted the points from their member.

So could be something like that?

Item

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#2123443 10-Nov-2018 21:35

To add - selling history all the way back to 2016 has various iPhones sealed and sold as "unwanted gifts", some as "picked up from duty free Aus" and some that have been lightly used or significantly used. Couple of iPads in there as well.

Maybe he does get them from work and is not supposed to sell them on. Who knows. I am very tempted as it is exactly what I was looking for, but think it probably best avoided - more so for my conscience than through worry of getting a device that would end up blocked.

Geektastic

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#2123445 10-Nov-2018 21:49

Just report your concerns to Trade Me.

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#2123447 10-Nov-2018 21:54

Geektastic: Just report your concerns to Trade Me.

On what basis? I haven't been scammed and I don't have anything other than vague speculation that the seller is doing anything dodgy. His track record suggests he has plenty of happy buyers in the last few years.

Dial111

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Ultimate Geek
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#2123448 10-Nov-2018 22:08

I’m not sure what the point of the thread is anymore, no crime has been committed or proven, you’ve done the right thing imo and walked away.

Case closed.

Oblivian

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#2123453 10-Nov-2018 23:45

The alternate, is a regular flyer for work to Aus (marries up with the claims)

Buying units and bringing them back after a duty free claim other end. And fraudulently not declaring on return.

Voila, cheaper than retail device you can make a buck on with no 'receipt'

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Bung

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#2123470 11-Nov-2018 06:42

The ipad is apparently NZ new. My impression of "duty free" is usually highest current RRP less gst.

Maybe OP could indicate price saving on this listing.

robjg63

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#2123476 11-Nov-2018 06:59

They are suspicious listings. Report to trade me.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

frankv

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#2123491 11-Nov-2018 08:08

My guess... he buys damaged phones and replaces cracked screens.

skewt

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Ultimate Geek
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#2123492 11-Nov-2018 08:18

tripp: You can put iPads on monthly payments with spark can't you? I see a lot of it on Facebook where people sign up to plans with monthly payments for phones and then sell the phones for cash. Spark uses to imei block them when people stopped paying but think they were told to stop abusing the black listing system.

Spark still add them to the blacklist. They just claim it’s “fraud”

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#2123493 11-Nov-2018 08:20

Bung: The ipad is apparently NZ new. My impression of "duty free" is usually highest current RRP less gst.

Maybe OP could indicate price saving on this listing.

$300 below the cheapest local retail listing I can see.

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Geektastic

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#2123495 11-Nov-2018 08:44

Item:
Geektastic: Just report your concerns to Trade Me.

On what basis? I haven't been scammed and I don't have anything other than vague speculation that the seller is doing anything dodgy. His track record suggests he has plenty of happy buyers in the last few years.

Suspicion is an adequate basis.

TM will look at it and if it's kosher they'll let it go and if it isn't they'll remove the listing.

DarthKermit

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#2123497 11-Nov-2018 08:52

So has this fella on TM got any positive (or otherwise) feedback on these various phones and other gadgets he's previously sold?

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#2123498 11-Nov-2018 08:53

DarthKermit:

So has this fella on TM got any positive (or otherwise) feedback on these various phones and other gadgets he's previously sold?

yes - as I said in the OP, he has almost perfect positive and all of the buyers of the sealed devices going back to 2016 and earlier are happy campers!

MichaelNZ

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#2123573 11-Nov-2018 14:44

Bung:

Is possible to buy at staff discount and still make a profit at the selling price? He may not want the retailer identified because he's not supposed to be reselling them.

Unlikely. Margin on these is very low. At best staff discount will be cost price.

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