subject: Buying a Used Computer Through Ebay/Craigslist [print this page] Buying a Used Computer Through Ebay/Craigslist
Buying a computer doesn't have to put you in debt. You can find a machine that fits your budget and still provides the same functionality that you need to get from it. Most computer users need a machine to do an assortment of basic tasks and will not need the awesome power of the most expensive machine out there. Internet browsing, sending emails, video chat and downloading mp3s or movies require the use of a big hard drive and a basic processor with adequate ram. You don't need the intense processor or over the top graphics card. In fact, you could probably get by purchasing a slightly used computer. Here are your options if you decide to go this route.
Ebay.com
Do your research and find a computer that will fit your needs. Then, when you are ready, head over to ebay.com and see if you can get a used model of that computer for a discounted price. Who knows, you might even get lucky and get a grey market computer that isn't used, but comes at a discounted rate. The key to using this website is the keywords, so make sure you don't put too many or too little. The best part about using ebay is that some purchases paid for using paypal will qualify for buyer insurance, should the item you buy be defective or damaged. This makes it relatively safe to shop for a computer through here.
Craigslist.com
Craigslist is the ghetto version of ebay. It operates similarly, however buyers and sellers typically have to meet in order for the transaction to happen. This meeting makes most of the transactions mostly local. The benefits to using craigslist is that you can find almost anything here and it is almost always much cheaper than anywhere else. Because there is no tax on items sold, the seller can market the item at a lower price point. The only problem with using craigslist is that there is no buyers insurance. All the equipment you buy should be tested extensively before handing over any money. Should there be a problem later, it would have to go through the local authorities and could require lots time to settle.
