Won computer on E-bay, did I get a good deal?

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gigahertz20

gigahertz20

Golden Member
Apr 30, 2007
1,118
2
81
Right now it's 4:36AM and I was browsing E-bay and saw this really good deal, I don't really need the computer but from looking over the specs I thought it was a really good deal and bid a maximum of $450 and ended up winning the auction last second.

$450 + $80 shipping = $530 Total is what I will pay for it.

So for $530 did I get a good deal on this computer or not really?




The auction listing description is below :)




"very well maintained pc. extremely powerfull, and capable of pretty much everything. takes on any workload u throw at it, easily. u can literally run entire adobe suite at the same time and not lag at all. games are not a problem, comes with top of the line video card.

dual opteron 252 2.6ghz 64-bit (5.2ghz total)
2gb 400mhz corsair ecc ram (512 times 4)
dual 250gb western digital hdd sata II (500gb total)
16x dvd burner/cd burner drive
floppy drive
ati radeon x1950 xtx 512mb hdcp pci-express video card
asus k8n-dl motherboard
Windows XP Professional
onboard 7 channel HD audio
case with clear side window and fan w/ blue light
500watts powersupply

everything runs perfectly. been using it, and loved it. must sell to get a laptop. one powerfull custom pc you cannot afford to miss."




UPDATE

What should I do now? This guy just sent me this message over E-bay saying this..

"hi. ive a request. im realy new to ebay and didnt even realize i dont have minimum price for this item. i wanted to list it and reserve it for $1000 minimum but didnt know how and couldnt find that option. would it be possible for u to void this transaction please. it was all my mistake and i cant sell at this price. hope u understand. regards"

I mean I won the auction fair and square, it's his fault he didn't set a minimum....I hate to tell him that and pay for it then have him not ship it to me, or maybe he ends up shipping it to me but I find out parts have been taken out because he was pissed since he had to sell it to me at the price I won the auction at.
 
R

RollWave

Diamond Member
May 20, 2003
4,201
3
81
Sounds good if it doesnt get mangled in the shipping process. I have a feeling a heatsink could come loose and seriously damage the components.
 
A

AlgaeEater

Senior member
May 9, 2006
960
0
0
Welcome to Anandtech!

Ok, not smoking hot. It's better than anything you could find bargain shopping, but the hardware is pretty dated if you're speaking purely from an gamer's perspective on price/performance ratios.
 
gigahertz20

gigahertz20

Golden Member
Apr 30, 2007
1,118
2
81
What should I do now? This guy just sent me this message over E-bay saying this..

"hi. ive a request. im realy new to ebay and didnt even realize i dont have minimum price for this item. i wanted to list it and reserve it for $1000 minimum but didnt know how and couldnt find that option. would it be possible for u to void this transaction please. it was all my mistake and i cant sell at this price. hope u understand. regards"

I mean I won the auction fair and square, it's his fault he didn't set a minimum....I hate to tell him that and pay for it then have him not ship it to me, or maybe he ends up shipping it to me but I find out parts have been taken out because he was pissed since he had to sell it to me at the price I won the auction at.
 
R

Reel

Diamond Member
Jul 14, 2001
4,484
0
76
Originally posted by: gigahertz20
What should I do now? This guy just sent me this message over E-bay saying this..

"hi. ive a request. im realy new to ebay and didnt even realize i dont have minimum price for this item. i wanted to list it and reserve it for $1000 minimum but didnt know how and couldnt find that option. would it be possible for u to void this transaction please. it was all my mistake and i cant sell at this price. hope u understand. regards"

I mean I won the auction fair and square, it's his fault he didn't set a minimum....I hate to tell him that and pay for it then have him not ship it to me, or maybe he ends up shipping it to me but I find out parts have been taken out because he was pissed since he had to sell it to me at the price I won the auction at.
Click to expand...

You were hesitant about it and it was an impulse buy. I think this gets rid of the possibility of buyer's remorse. Yes, technically he should have to sell it to you still but you don't seem to be in dire need of this PC. Move on and find something better.
 
J

jackace

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2004
1,307
0
0
Honestly I don't use Ebay much any more. Just too many people that over estimate how good their stuff is and what its worth. Some even lie about specs just to sell their junk no one would buy if they checked the specs in person. Only ebay people I deal with now are the sellers with actual stores with warranties and return policies.
 
A

Alex

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 1999
6,995
0
0
how is this not a good deal? part by part for 500 bucks? dude i'd try and negotiate with him kinda subtly reminding him that he kinda has to sell it to you.... if you can afford it i'd go for it but like most ppl are saying for 1000 bucks you shouldn't do it because the hardware is kinda dated
 
Gooberlx2

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Reel said it best: it was an impulse buy, you're not hurting for a new PC. I'd let it go.
 
T

Tiamat

Lifer
Nov 25, 2003
14,068
5
71
dont buy it, it was an impulse, just let it go. you can build something nicer for similar price. Or since you dont need it, just save your money :)
 
P

patentman

Golden Member
Apr 8, 2005
1,035
1
0
<-------------Studying for the Massachusetts bar exam

You have a legally enforceable contract for the sale of goods. Posting the computer on ebay was an offer to sell; your winning bid constitutes an acceptance. The money you pay and his delivery of the computer is consideration. Thus, all elements of a valid and enforceable contract for the sale of goods are met.

The next thing to consider is whether the contract might be voidable under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC ), which has been adopted by many states. Under the UCC, contracts for the sale of goods for $500 or more need to be evidenced by a writing signed by at least the selling party (and in some states, both parties). If the shipping price is not included in the value, this is no issue, as $450 is obviously less than $500. If the shipping price is included in the contract value, then you need a writing evidencing the contact signed by at least the guy you are purchasing from, because $530 is > $500 (again, obviously). Likely the auction itself and Ebay's policy that the guy electronically signed when he listed the item is sufficient to constitute the necessary writing. However, but I am unaware of caselaw regarding the contractual enforceability of online auctions and thus cannot speak with certainty as to this point.

The most likely defense that the auctioner might try to raise is mistake (indeed, he has already raised that defense). However, unilateral mistake of fact (i.e., mistake by one party only) is generally not considered to be a defense sufficient to void a contract, unless the unmistaken party had reason to know of the mistake before the contract was formed. Here that does not appear to be the case, so unilateral mistake will likely be no defense either.

In sum, in my opinion the seller is legally obligated to perform. If he doesn't deliver, you could sue for breach of contract and (in most states) would likely receive "expectation" damages. That is, the court would put you in the position you would have been had the contract been performed without breach. Note that specific performance (i.e., actual delivery of the advertised computer) is not appropriate, as the computer here is a not a specialized good that could not be obtained elsewhere.

Whew... that was a good review of contracts law.

Note: Obviously as I am studying for the bar exam I am not a lawyer yet. Thus, the above is not legal advice and is merely intended to educate you as to your possible rights. Contact a licensed attorney for actual legal assistance.
 
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patentman

Golden Member
Apr 8, 2005
1,035
1
0
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Gnrslash4life
Ebay is a contract. Tell him he has to sell it or youll report him.</end quote></div>

Technically no, ebay is not a contract. An offer plus acceptance and consideration is a contract. Just because ebay says it is enforceable does not make it the law. It just means that you will have trouble selling stuff on ebay anymore if you reneg too often.
 
R

rgwalt

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2000
7,393
0
0
Yes, you got a pretty good deal if you have the extra cash, but what do you plan on doing with the parts? Do you really want to upgrade with someone's used PC parts?

As far as the seller backing out... the seller knew what he/she was doing, but expected the PC to sell for much more and now wants to try and get a better price for it. You can't force the seller to actually sell the item to you, so I wouldn't pay and I would demand positive feedback before leaving your feedback, which will be negative. If the seller truly is new to eBay, leaving them negative feedback will be much more harmful to them and will make it harder for them to sell the computer down the line.

Don't pay the seller as you run an even greater risk of being screwed.

R
 
E

effee

Golden Member
Sep 4, 2004
1,797
0
0
Thats the reason I chose flight school over Law school. Planes are so much easier to handle.
 
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imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
9,148
0
0
Whether it's legal or not for the seller to back out, you have to ask yourself: do you feel lucky?

Cause if you don't, chances are that this guy/gal will be extremely pissed. Parts will probably be switched out, damaged, "keyed", etc. You could go back and forth for months/years to get your deal's worth, but is it worth it? Like another poster said, just leave him negative feedback, give him this ..I.., and walk away:).
 
Number1

Number1

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2006
7,881
549
126
Request a positive feedback before you agree on anything. Then give him a negative one.

Seriously, would you send that guy your money?



NOT!!!
 
kranky

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
You said you don't need it, the guy said he doesn't want to sell it. Why in the world would you create more aggravation for yourself? Let it drop and you're both happy.
 
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