eBay Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

How to quickly find out what your used computer is worth

Posted on December 31, 2024

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Do you have a used computer that you’re planning to sell?

If so, you might be wondering about what it’s worth so you can determine how much you should ask for it.

Or perhaps you’re planning to buy a used computer and you want to make sure you don’t over-pay?

Determining the actual value of an item used to be pretty difficult, but the Internet has given us a great tool that can give us that info in a hurry: Ebay. [Read more…]

Q&A: Is it safe to pay for an Ebay purchase with Western Union?

Posted on May 4, 2024

Question from Marie: I agreed to purchase three new iPads on Ebay for my grandchildren.

The seller said he’ll give me a 30% discount if I pay with Western Union because he doesn’t like using PayPal.

He has pretty good feedback (48 total with 91% positive), but this just seems a little fishy to me because I have always been able to pay with PayPal in the past.

My question is do you think it’s safe to pay for the iPads with Western Union or do you think he’s trying to scam me? [Read more…]

7 tips for selling obsolete computer gear on ebay

Posted on April 17, 2024

Most households these days have stacks of unused and/or obsolete computer equipment collecting dust in the basement or tucked away in a closet, doing little more than taking up valuable storage space.

Many people are unaware that there is a booming market for used tech items on ebay.

As I mentioned in this post, as long as it still works (and sometimes even if it doesn’t) there are most likely a number of buyers who are eager to bid on your old gear regardless of its “age” in either years or technology.

Here are seven tips for selling your unused/obsolete computer items for top dollar on ebay: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can counterfeit RAM damage a laptop?

Posted on April 9, 2024

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Hailey: Rick, I think I’ve gotten myself into a mess and I need your advice.

I recently purchased two RAM modules on Ebay to go an older laptop I own.

The modules I bought were listed and sold as Kingston brand but I just found out that the seller was busted for selling counterfeit computer parts.

The new RAM seems to be working fine in my laptop, but I was wondering if it might cause problems down the road. [Read more…]

Q&A: I ordered a new CPU but they sent a used one. What should I do?

Posted on March 27, 2023

Question from Chris: I saw a brand new CPU that sells elsewhere online for around $500 for sale on Ebay for only $285. That’s a lot less that what I’d have to pay elsewhere so I ordered one.

The sales page said the CPU was brand new in the box and it had never been opened, but that’s not what they sent me.

When the package arrived the box had been opened and taped back shut and some of the pins on the CPU were bent. I can also see traces of thermal paste on the top of the chip.

It’s pretty obvious that they sent me a used CPU instead of a brand new one. I could always install the CPU in my rig and see if it works but I’m afraid they’ll try to say I damaged it myself while installing it.

How would be the best way to handle this? [Read more…]