Seriously considering a great deal on an “open box” laptop from a seller in Hong Kong. It’s half the price of an identical brand new laptop. The description “open box” says that it could be a “factory second”:
The seller doesn’t accept returns, but the item is still covered under ebay’s “eBay Money Back Guarantee - Get the item you ordered or your money back”, which I understand still applies for items that can’t be returned.
Thoughts? Cautions?
Probably a scam. It’s a new thing, posting things that are actually “too good to be true” but located in China or similar, and then the money is sent, the buyer disappears, and nothing happens.
There are similar reports in the hundreds *(maybe in the thousands), but luckily eBay is making good on most of them. There was a FB group for such, but I think it went away.
Anyway: look for “is this a new seller”? Red flag. “Do they have fewer than 10 sales?” Red flag. What is the method of delivery? (If not specified, red flag.) etc.
Thanks. The seller joined in Dec 2025, has only 3 items for sale (two laptops and a $17 bracelet) and has sold nothing so far. No reviews either. Shipping is via eBay SpeedPAK Standard so at least that seems legit.
…and now one of the laptops is no longer for sale. Have a look:
I sent a question to the seller a few hours ago. No response yet.
I got beat on one of those, i forget for what. $80 item was for $20, never came, seller disappeared. Ebay made me whole, but with hassle.
There’s an Anker group on FB (solar storage batteries) where it’s happened multiple times, always the same pattern. New seller, few reviews, terrific price. Sometimes ebay reimburses sometimes not (or the guy just didn’t report to the rest of us).
Buying from china use Temu or Ali, not from individuals, I think.
