Buying a used K4 from E-bay

Wald07 · 06-13-2012, 10:16 PM

I'm buying a used K4 from ebay. Seller is 100%

Should I be concerned?

Can anyone offer any warnings or advice?

What if the K4 is blacklisted?

If I can't register the K4, could I open a "case" with e-bay?

Shopaholic · 06-13-2012, 10:47 PM

Read the feedback comments. Percentage alone is irrelevant. You have to look at everything. How long have they been on eBay? How long have they been selling? How many feedbacks do they have for selling? Does the listing say it was their own unit that they're selling because they've traded up or what?

Are the pictures their own or were they lifted off the Amazon site? How many negatives? How many neutrals? How many revised? What is their feedback left for others like?

You can't just look at one thing. How much is it selling for? You could just drive over the border and get your own from Best Buy or Walmart in the States.

pidgeon92 · 06-13-2012, 11:08 PM

Is saving a few bucks worth the possible problems?

crich70 · 06-13-2012, 11:25 PM

Buying a used Kindle period is likely to invite problems. Far better to just buy a brand new one and avoid potential trouble. People have bought them on Craig's List only to find out that the unit was reported lost/stolen and is bricked as a result.

Wald07 · 06-13-2012, 11:28 PM

OK! No negatives, no neutrals. Seller since 2000. Purchased for $55.

I asked if it were a Special Offers K4- here's the reply:

No, it does not have the special advertisements. We had paid extra for that. I just mailed out your package so it should be there soon. Enjoy!

There's a case included & I asked if it were an official Kindle case. Here's that reply:

I don't know if it was official. I bought it from amazon and it was designed specifically to fit this model.

So, to me, it sounds legitimate. I think?

I also have the option of purchasing a 1-year warranty from "Square-Trade". Does anyone advise to do this?
__________________________________________________ ___

I did buy a K4, for myself from Amazon ($49 refurbished!!) & sent my DH to pick up @ the parcel handeling service we use, state-side.

THIS K4 is for a dear friend, who understands being on a budget. She does not mind that it's used.

EDIT: Thanks for all the input Guys! All thoughts I had about making this purchase... Please say a prayer that this works out for me!

Shopaholic · 06-15-2012, 12:10 PM

Don't ask for advice after the fact. Ask before you buy so if an issue is discovered for whatever reason, you can choose no. Once you've already bought it it's a done deal.

And I could be wrong, but if THEY paid to remove the special offers that would only apply to the unit on their account not yours. Therefore it will have the special offers when your friend goes to register it. I don't believe it is carried with the device to the next owner.

I don't agree with the person advising against buying a used unit period because there are many legit people selling units because they upgraded. Heck I sold my three previous Sonys on eBay for that reason. If/when there's a new Kindle that I want I'll do the same with my non-touch. There are perfectly legitimate used devices with zero issues. You just have to know what to watch for and ask ALL questions before you click the bid or buy button, NOT afterwards.

ProfCrash · 06-15-2012, 12:15 PM

The problem is that there is a known scam selling used Kindles. A good number of folks have posted about buying a used Kindle from EBay or Craig's list and then having it bricked by Amazon because it was reported stolen.

If I were to buy a used Kindle, I would buy it from Amazon. It might cost more, but the sellers on Amazon are held to a different standard and if you bought a stolen/lost Kindle from someone advertising on Amazon, I think that you would be more likely to get your money back then if the same thing happened on EBay or Craigslist.

I understand that money is tight for a lot of folks and that these deals look great. For my own sanity, I think I would wait and save the extra $30 to buy a new KNT and have the peace of mind that I got what I paid for and not have to worry about my Kindle suddenly not working properly because someone reported it stolen.

booklover6 · 06-15-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

The problem is that there is a known scam selling used Kindles. A good number of folks have posted about buying a used Kindle from EBay or Craig's list and then having it bricked by Amazon because it was reported stolen.

If I were to buy a used Kindle, I would buy it from Amazon. It might cost more, but the sellers on Amazon are held to a different standard and if you bought a stolen/lost Kindle from someone advertising on Amazon, I think that you would be more likely to get your money back then if the same thing happened on EBay or Craigslist.

I understand that money is tight for a lot of folks and that these deals look great. For my own sanity, I think I would wait and save the extra $30 to buy a new KNT and have the peace of mind that I got what I paid for and not have to worry about my Kindle suddenly not working properly because someone reported it stolen.

I totally agree. Alternatively, buy your refurbished from a trusted site such as Best Buy (if they have them) or some other site you know. I got my refurb Nook Color from Best Buy, for example. Not from some unknown ebay seller.

ProfCrash · 06-15-2012, 12:38 PM

Yup. There are places that are safe to buy a refurbed Kindle. They might not be $49 but the extra $10 bucks buys you peace of mind.

RainingLemur · 06-15-2012, 01:08 PM

Hope you got lucky and happened to get one that wont cause issues.

But, I agree with the general feeling in the thread: Don't buy used unless it's from a reputable retailer or Amazon themselves.

crich70 · 06-15-2012, 01:44 PM

I had forgotten that Amazon does sell refurbished Kindles. Still the principle is sound I think. Unless it's from Amazon or a well known dealer who has a working relationship with them I'd be leery of buying a used unit.

JSWolf · 06-15-2012, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

Don't ask for advice after the fact. Ask before you buy so if an issue is discovered for whatever reason, you can choose no. Once you've already bought it it's a done deal.

And I could be wrong, but if THEY paid to remove the special offers that would only apply to the unit on their account not yours. Therefore it will have the special offers when your friend goes to register it. I don't believe it is carried with the device to the next owner.

I don't agree with the person advising against buying a used unit period because there are many legit people selling units because they upgraded. Heck I sold my three previous Sonys on eBay for that reason. If/when there's a new Kindle that I want I'll do the same with my non-touch. There are perfectly legitimate used devices with zero issues. You just have to know what to watch for and ask ALL questions before you click the bid or buy button, NOT afterwards.

But a Sony is different then a Kindle. You buy a Kindle on eBay, you have no way of knowing if it's blacklisted or not. A Sony cannot be blacklisted. We have had people come to the forum because they bought a Kindle and it was blacklisted. Once blacklisted, Amazon want's nothing to do with it.

Wald07 · 06-15-2012, 05:02 PM

Again guys, thanks for the input. This is why I posted, to get additional viewpoints to consider.

Trust me when I say, the advice is still relevant & useful..
Esp considering I was going to buy 2 this way.

So please don't feel your wasting your keystrokes on me Shopaholic.
It's not entirely after the fact, more like mid-way, as I really intended on buying 2...

I think I'll spring the $10 for the warranty offered by square trade.

So let's play WORST CASE SCENARIO here:

The Kindle is Blacklisted

The Kindle is BRICKED

The Kindle is useless.

So I open a case with e-bay & I'm refunded. Lesson learned, and I move on.

The seller has listed a working kindle. If it cannot be linked to my account & used as intended, it's not fully functional, and I'm entitled to a refund.

I think my next "Gift Kindle" will be a refurb from Amazon for $69, as they offer a one-year warranty.

JSWolf · 06-16-2012, 01:02 AM

I doubt the Kindle will be bricked. But blacklisted is a possibility.

HarryT · 06-16-2012, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I doubt the Kindle will be bricked. But blacklisted is a possibility.

Not a very high probability. A seller with a good record on eBay isn't going to risk their reputation by selling a blacklisted device. Feedback is your best guide to the reliability of an eBay seller.

06-13-2012, 10:16 PM	#1
Wald07 Audiophile Posts: 452 Karma: 2470850 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Manitoba Device: Nexux7 2nd Gen & Kobo Touch	Buying a used K4 from E-bay I'm buying a used K4 from ebay. Seller is 100% Should I be concerned? Can anyone offer any warnings or advice? What if the K4 is blacklisted? If I can't register the K4, could I open a "case" with e-bay?

06-13-2012, 11:28 PM	#5
Wald07 Audiophile Posts: 452 Karma: 2470850 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Manitoba Device: Nexux7 2nd Gen & Kobo Touch	OK! No negatives, no neutrals. Seller since 2000. Purchased for $55. I asked if it were a Special Offers K4- here's the reply: No, it does not have the special advertisements. We had paid extra for that. I just mailed out your package so it should be there soon. Enjoy! There's a case included & I asked if it were an official Kindle case. Here's that reply: I don't know if it was official. I bought it from amazon and it was designed specifically to fit this model. So, to me, it sounds legitimate. I think? I also have the option of purchasing a 1-year warranty from "Square-Trade". Does anyone advise to do this? __________________________________________________ ___ I did buy a K4, for myself from Amazon ($49 refurbished!!) & sent my DH to pick up @ the parcel handeling service we use, state-side. THIS K4 is for a dear friend, who understands being on a budget. She does not mind that it's used. EDIT: Thanks for all the input Guys! All thoughts I had about making this purchase... Please say a prayer that this works out for me! Last edited by Wald07; 06-13-2012 at 11:38 PM.

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06-13-2012, 10:47 PM	#2
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,509 Karma: 1812695 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PW4, Kobo: A1, Clara, Libra 2, iPad Pro 11, iPad Mini	Read the feedback comments. Percentage alone is irrelevant. You have to look at everything. How long have they been on eBay? How long have they been selling? How many feedbacks do they have for selling? Does the listing say it was their own unit that they're selling because they've traded up or what? Are the pictures their own or were they lifted off the Amazon site? How many negatives? How many neutrals? How many revised? What is their feedback left for others like? You can't just look at one thing. How much is it selling for? You could just drive over the border and get your own from Best Buy or Walmart in the States.

06-13-2012, 11:08 PM	#3
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	Is saving a few bucks worth the possible problems?

06-13-2012, 11:25 PM	#4
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,305 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	Buying a used Kindle period is likely to invite problems. Far better to just buy a brand new one and avoid potential trouble. People have bought them on Craig's List only to find out that the unit was reported lost/stolen and is bricked as a result.

06-15-2012, 12:10 PM	#6
Shopaholic Cockatoo Mom! Posts: 1,509 Karma: 1812695 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PW4, Kobo: A1, Clara, Libra 2, iPad Pro 11, iPad Mini	Don't ask for advice after the fact. Ask before you buy so if an issue is discovered for whatever reason, you can choose no. Once you've already bought it it's a done deal. And I could be wrong, but if THEY paid to remove the special offers that would only apply to the unit on their account not yours. Therefore it will have the special offers when your friend goes to register it. I don't believe it is carried with the device to the next owner. I don't agree with the person advising against buying a used unit period because there are many legit people selling units because they upgraded. Heck I sold my three previous Sonys on eBay for that reason. If/when there's a new Kindle that I want I'll do the same with my non-touch. There are perfectly legitimate used devices with zero issues. You just have to know what to watch for and ask ALL questions before you click the bid or buy button, NOT afterwards.

06-15-2012, 12:15 PM	#7
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	The problem is that there is a known scam selling used Kindles. A good number of folks have posted about buying a used Kindle from EBay or Craig's list and then having it bricked by Amazon because it was reported stolen. If I were to buy a used Kindle, I would buy it from Amazon. It might cost more, but the sellers on Amazon are held to a different standard and if you bought a stolen/lost Kindle from someone advertising on Amazon, I think that you would be more likely to get your money back then if the same thing happened on EBay or Craigslist. I understand that money is tight for a lot of folks and that these deals look great. For my own sanity, I think I would wait and save the extra $30 to buy a new KNT and have the peace of mind that I got what I paid for and not have to worry about my Kindle suddenly not working properly because someone reported it stolen.

06-15-2012, 12:38 PM	#9
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Yup. There are places that are safe to buy a refurbed Kindle. They might not be $49 but the extra $10 bucks buys you peace of mind.

06-15-2012, 01:08 PM	#10
RainingLemur Spork Connoisseur Posts: 2,355 Karma: 16780603 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Color	Hope you got lucky and happened to get one that wont cause issues. But, I agree with the general feeling in the thread: Don't buy used unless it's from a reputable retailer or Amazon themselves.

06-15-2012, 01:44 PM	#11
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,305 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	I had forgotten that Amazon does sell refurbished Kindles. Still the principle is sound I think. Unless it's from Amazon or a well known dealer who has a working relationship with them I'd be leery of buying a used unit.

06-15-2012, 05:02 PM	#13
Wald07 Audiophile Posts: 452 Karma: 2470850 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Manitoba Device: Nexux7 2nd Gen & Kobo Touch	Again guys, thanks for the input. This is why I posted, to get additional viewpoints to consider. Trust me when I say, the advice is still relevant & useful.. Esp considering I was going to buy 2 this way. So please don't feel your wasting your keystrokes on me Shopaholic. It's not entirely after the fact, more like mid-way, as I really intended on buying 2... I think I'll spring the $10 for the warranty offered by square trade. So let's play WORST CASE SCENARIO here: The Kindle is Blacklisted The Kindle is BRICKED The Kindle is useless. So I open a case with e-bay & I'm refunded. Lesson learned, and I move on. The seller has listed a working kindle. If it cannot be linked to my account & used as intended, it's not fully functional, and I'm entitled to a refund. I think my next "Gift Kindle" will be a refurb from Amazon for $69, as they offer a one-year warranty.

06-16-2012, 01:02 AM	#14
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,976 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I doubt the Kindle will be bricked. But blacklisted is a possibility.