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Advice on Potential Purchases Thread
- Thread starter TheShortTimer
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i won the iMac G3, paid and then after several days without any communication, I received e-mails from PayPal and eBay informing me that the sale had been cancelled and my money had been refunded on the grounds that "Buyer asked to cancel the order" except I didn't ask to cancel the order! They've now relisted the iMac.
This seems suspect, as if it didn't fetch the price they'd hoped for and have exploited eBay's system to have another chance at a better sale. I certainly wouldn't want to give them my money after this behaviour but can I complain about their behaviour? I definitely didn't ask for the order to be cancelled.
EDIT: I complained to eBay and they agreed with my assessment of the situation and advised me to leave negative feedback warning others about their behaviour and they'll also take action against the seller because instead of behaving this way, they should've just set a reserve.
This seems suspect, as if it didn't fetch the price they'd hoped for and have exploited eBay's system to have another chance at a better sale. I certainly wouldn't want to give them my money after this behaviour but can I complain about their behaviour? I definitely didn't ask for the order to be cancelled.
EDIT: I complained to eBay and they agreed with my assessment of the situation and advised me to leave negative feedback warning others about their behaviour and they'll also take action against the seller because instead of behaving this way, they should've just set a reserve.
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I've had a seller do this recently with some Mac Pro RAM, I was the only bidder at 0.99p (though ridiculous 50 euro shipping), and he cancelled the order. Negative feedback soon followed.
@r6mile @TheShortTimer I actually had something like this happen once several years ago. Bought a PowerBook G4 12" complete in-box, and the seller canceled the order and refunded the money.
They cited a reason why, although I don't remember it now.
They cited a reason why, although I don't remember it now.
Was it that their spouse had secretly created the listing in the hope of ridding the household of tech and they only realised what was going on when eBay notified them of a winning bid?
I guess both eBay and PayPal would keep their fees from the seller? So cancellation isn't a great option for a seller really.
I've found an iMac G3 2000 slot loading model - but it has a couple of cracks in the ceramic area surrounding the CRT that's located underneath the exterior plastic. Is this a warning sign that the machine has been subjected to rough handling or mistreatment and if so, should I pass?
It probably got a little bump but I know that especially this grey plastic gets extremly brittle so best case scenario you would only have to glue it back together...
Edit: After re-reading your post I'm not sure I did understand it well.
You are talking about the plastic ?
Edit: After re-reading your post I'm not sure I did understand it well.
You are talking about the plastic ?
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It's probably easier if I show you. Here's the cracks on one machine:
Here's some further examples of cracks on another machine:
If an iMac G3 exhibits these cracks, should they be avoided?
If you only really care about it being functional, and are not so caught up in the cosmetics, then I would certainly buy it. The screen is still in great shape. And worst case scenario... use it as a parts system.
The only time I’ve seen the interior plastic fracture like that on an imacg3 was when a unit was dropped.
I had a blueberry slot loader drop from 6ft up in a closet due to my nosey cat Kenny poking around. Cracked the bezel like crazy but the thing still started up without issue. The rattling bits inside really bugged me so I took the time to remove those plastic bits.
I personally wouldn’t pay money for one with cracks like that. There are still enough undamaged ones in the wild for a good price for me to fork over money for a jacked up one that most likely was dropped or experienced some form of blunt trauma.
I had a blueberry slot loader drop from 6ft up in a closet due to my nosey cat Kenny poking around. Cracked the bezel like crazy but the thing still started up without issue. The rattling bits inside really bugged me so I took the time to remove those plastic bits.
I personally wouldn’t pay money for one with cracks like that. There are still enough undamaged ones in the wild for a good price for me to fork over money for a jacked up one that most likely was dropped or experienced some form of blunt trauma.
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My Lime G3 has the interior plastic cracker very badly like that picture. It still works great and it’s hardly noticeable from the front. It arrived to me that way but I kept if because I wanted lime. That cream colored plastic they used is ridiculously brittle after 20 years.
I suppose a lot of the moulded plastics used in the last few decades in all sorts of manufacturing has become brittle with age too. Having it so close to a source of heat cycling up and down probably accelerated the decay process. I dare say nobody at Apple really expected any of these iMacs to be still in any sort of use after 20 years.
Psion revo PLUS 16MB Electronic Organizer | eBay
Finden Sie Top-Angebote für Psion revo PLUS 16MB Electronic Organizer bei eBay. Kostenlose Lieferung für viele Artikel!
www.ebay.de
Yay or nay?
I have the opportunity to buy a Lenovo ThinkPad T530 for $160 including shipping (and an extra $15 can get a full refurb job). It has the laptop, a docking station, and a power brick. Is it worth it?
Psion revo PLUS 16MB Electronic Organizer | eBay
Finden Sie Top-Angebote für Psion revo PLUS 16MB Electronic Organizer bei eBay. Kostenlose Lieferung für viele Artikel!www.ebay.de
Yay or nay?
It's a yay for me.
I've had a look at the U.S. prices on eBay and if it's in good condition that seems like a good deal because the majority of machines at that price are beat up and worn out.
Ok, thank you! I'd say it is in quite good condition.
Ok, thank you! I'd say it is in quite good condition.
In that case, buy it now before someone else does. A few weeks ago, I regrettably hesitated over buying a fully working iMac G4 for £20 GBP (yeah, I know - crazy) and predictably, someone else swooped in and got it, thanks to my indecision.
Ok, thank you! Sorry to hear about that iMac G4.In that case, buy it now before someone else does. A few weeks ago, I regrettably hesitated over buying a fully working iMac G4 for £20 GBP (yeah, I know - crazy) and predictably, someone else swooped in and got it, thanks to my indecision.
It's no biggie, really. I learned a lesson about hesitation.