U.K. Teen Buys $735 Photo of Xbox One on eBay

[rofltehcat]

I'm surprised at how many people defend the scammer, this is not a legal practice nor should it be. The buyers life choices aside, the intent to mislead and con is clear as day, one line saying it's a photo only doesn't change that.

I don't really think people are defending the scammer, just ridiculing the victim. If it is deserved or not I cannot tell but the little information about him given in the article doesn't make him look smart.
Both scamming attempts and people falling for them (because of varying reasons) shouldn't happen in a perfect world but there will always be people falling for even the plumpest scams.

 

[Sofus]

I have to wonder if the buyer learned anything from this or if he will remain as ignorant as ever.

 

[Kyogissun]

So let's run off through some key points here on this guy:
1. He had a kid at 15
2. The son that this xbox for is... 4 years old. Because as we all know, that's a GREAT age to start playing really accessible and easy to play kid intelligence level friendly games like... FIFA...
3. He paid 735 USD for a product that is typically 500 dollars
4. He bought the product on ebay

Let's even ignore the fact that he bought it 'for his son', that's EASILY a line of bullshit he spun (or was told to spin by the press) to drum up more publicity.

Scamming is horrible and the people who participate in such actions deserve to have their asses kicked. And while I WANT to say that this kid PROBABLY deserved to learn a lesson in not being stupid (Though after having that kid at 15 and this now, I doubt he will), it's good he got his money back.

But the problem I have here is stupid people getting told that it's okay if they're stupid, because they can find loopholes to make up for it and absolve themselves of any and all responsibility.

Why are people hung up on a 19 year old with a 4 year old child? He manned up and owned his shit at an age when most people would likely run from it. You judgmental people and your unqualified opinions.

That really doesn't change the fact that he could avoid being in the scenario he's in if he, you know, had better decision making skills.

It's GREAT that he owned up to his decisions, but please do not try and act like that wasn't a stupid decision. Hell, there are people who are twice his age and still struggle with being parents because, let's face it, parenting's not for everyone.

People are judging that factor because it ties into the other carelessness this article brings to light. Kudos on his responsibility for the big and important thing he did raising his kid but... Fuck, you think the guy would be a LITTLE more careful with his money considering he has a CHILD to care for!

 

[JoJo]

Wait, a 19-year-old is a "teen" now? ...what's the legal age of majority in the UK, again?

...and he's buying it for his four year old son? I...


...there are things about this news article. Things that are wrong, and in more than one way.

The legal age of majority is 18 over here in the UK, but the term 'teenager' and it's derivatives can apply to anybody aged from 13 to 19. That may be different in other countries.

 

[delroland]

Both scamming attempts and people falling for them (because of varying reasons) shouldn't happen in a perfect world but there will always be people falling for even the plumpest scams.

That doesn't justify blaming the victim. It's no less a fallacy (though obviously it is many degrees less severe) than blaming a rape victim for dressing "like a slut".

 

[Pebkio]

Who else but a scammer sells a freaking picture for 735 dollars. The guy is a criminal. Plain as day. And just because someone was dumb enough to fall for a scam does not make the scammer any less of an asshole criminal. But the guy is also a moron. His poor life choices mark him as a moron and it seems that four years with a child hasn't improved his decision-making skills in the slightest.

I'm going to be incredibly harsh and say that the man shouldn't get a refund (except, I guess, it's Paypal company policy). But also, the person who put a picture of an Xbone up for sale in the category and for the price of an actual Xbone should be tracked down and put on trial for criminal charges.

Wait, a 19-year-old is a "teen" now?

Sorry, not really about the article but do you even read the words you're typing out? Yes... a nineteen-year-old is still in his teen years... a teenager, if you will. Don't be so foolish...

 

[CriticalMiss]

I'm surprised at how many people defend the scammer, this is not a legal practice nor should it be. The buyers life choices aside, the intent to mislead and con is clear as day, one line saying it's a photo only doesn't change that.

Actually eBay probably would have given precisely zero shits if the picture was listed in the right category. As long as the listing clearly says it is a picture and someone buys it then it is their fault for not reading it thoroughly. The worst you could call it is selling a copyrighted image.

The guy admits that it said it was a picture, but bought it anyway. Brains mustn't run in his family.

 

[EightGaugeHippo]

Why are people hung up on a 19 year old with a 4 year old child? He manned up and owned his shit at an age when most people would likely run from it. You judgmental people and your unqualified opinions.

Thank you!

Now I don't want to assume anything about this man based off the small amount of info, but since everyone else seems to be I'll let myself off.

The fact that he has that money to spend (or throw away as many people on this thread suggest) on his son, means he's got a job and is supporting his family, if a man gets berated for that then we are truly lost.

I'd like to see how well the people slating him would deal with that sort of situation.
Teen pregnancy is a big issue in the UK, and a large amount get either aborted or put up for adoption/raised by grandparents.
The fact that this man has owned up to his responsibility at such a young age is enough to earn my respect.

OT:
As for the scam, this sort of thing happens all the time. While you do have to be careful what you buy online, eBay seems to sort this shit out fairly well from what I've seen from this and a few other cases.

 

[VoidWanderer]

Good for Ebay giving this guy a full refund. That is positive customer service especially during the holiday season. Nobody should be taken advantage of or lose that much money during this time of the year.

I really disagree. It actually stated that it was a photo of the system. It stated that it was not the system, if he had read the description properly and used his brain, he wouldn't have gotten screwed.

He should be minus the several hundred dollars, so he will pay attention next time.

 

[SilverUchiha]

"I bought it there and then because I thought it was a good deal"

How? That's paying at least $200 more for what was already the most expensive next gen console. That doesn't make any sense to me at all.

 

[AstaresPanda]

the dude is 19 and has a 4 year old kid ? sums it up to be honest. Really you should see some of these people its amazing they get threw the day without killing themselves. God i hate my country

 

[Varrdy]

The fact that he has that money to spend (or throw away as many people on this thread suggest) on his son, means he's got a job and is supporting his family, if a man gets berated for that then we are truly lost.

Actually, the article quite clearly states that he is a student. While I know that students also hold down jobs (I did), I think it's fair to say that he will be getting state help to care for his son.

OT:

What I wont do is question his parental skills as I don't know him personally. Yes 15 may be too young to be a father but as has been pointed out it's clear he is doing his best. I used to work with a complete and utter divvy who I hated but he worshipped his son and was a good Dad so people using his apparent lack of brains / common-sense to judge him as a father is bang out of order. The fact he is a student makes me think that he's trying to better himself and who can honestly complain about that?

But...

The guy admitted that he saw the text that said the auction was for a photo and that he had doubts about it and yet he STILL coughed up the cash. Had he lost his money it would have been harsh but sometimes it's the only way people will learn. I am also going to call BS on the fact that it was "for his son" - 4 year-olds are not into video games! 4 year-old children are into biscuits, cartoon pigs and getting snot everywhere.

With that in mind, I grudgingly admit that would still rather see him get his money back because I loathe scammers and con-men/women (let's not be sexist!), especially when they prey on people at this time of year. I know it's nothing new and I've seen it all before. These "people" know that other people go a bit ga-ga over the latest gadgets and are willing to pay over the odds for them. While I generally think that someone who camps out for an iPhone or is willing to fork out £450 for an XBONE when they have misgivings need help, I will always also think that I would like to set fire to the scammer in question.

Someone mentioned a Judge Judy episode in which two women sold a "phone" which turned out to be a picture of the phone. I think I saw the same one and, although the description said it was a picture of the phone, it was buried in text and they also included the stats of the real phone, which gave the weight, dimensions etc., which is where they fell flat as the photo had none of those attributes and the duped buyer won her case. The disgruntled seller kept on repeating that they said it was a photo but they were clearly on the make and while I agreed that they (the buyer) should read things more clearly, I was also doing an imaginary "ass-hole!" chant in my head.

I suppose the lesson that needs to be learned (although quite how it's not sunk in yet after so long is beyond me) is that if something seems too good to be true, it is.

At least he can say he didn't fork out over $7000 for the box, as one report on this mentioned as a comparison.

 

[blackrave]

Ah, classical eBay prank.

Also 19y old buys console for 4y old son?
There is just so much wrong with this.
And of course I'll buy that he "bought it for his son"

captcha: creative process
dammit, stop making fun of this guy, only because he was "creative" at 15y

 

[wooty]

I knew people in this country were getting stupider, and this is a sad case. Paid over the odds, a child at 15 and he chose an Xbone......very very sad indeed

Plus, "Clatworthy acknowledged that the eBay listing stated that the item was in fact a photograph"........riiiiiiight. Well, we'll be seeing this guy on Jeremy Kyle in a few years I guess, he has all the signs and potential of a future specimen.

 

[Right Hook]

Good for Ebay giving this guy a full refund. That is positive customer service especially during the holiday season. Nobody should be taken advantage of or lose that much money during this time of the year.

I disagree. Natural selection has got to survive in some form or another. This guy is clearly not smart enough to have that kind of money (even if he had got what he thought he was paying for...he still claims to be buying a $735 console for a 4-year-old). Maybe the con man would make better use of the money.

I agree, I was so upset when I heard this idiot got a refund, it was far too obvious that he was only buying a photo and he deserved to pay if he was this foolish. Most of the time I don't support screwing people over but this is a situation I can get behind, a teenager with a four year old has no business wasting 700+ on a gaming device anyway, eBay should have issued the refund in the form of two college funds for daddy and his son, if they go to college, chances are eBay would never even have to pay out the cash in that case.

 

[AstaresPanda]

The only lesson he learned today is that people will make up for his mistakes and he will live on being less careful than he was before.

But stupid people are easy to con, so why would I want them to be smarter?

EDIT Wait, did the con-guy get to keep the money? If so, then this is all bad. Not only does this show people you can make stupid ass mistakes and get off easy, but you can also con people and get away with it too XD

lol if only you were from the UK and listend to all the tory con bullshit those bunch of conners con us brits.con con con

 

[zelda2fanboy]

Yeah, I remember being four years old and my dad bought me a five hundred dollar voice activated computer. Doesn't everyone's parents do that for them when they're first learning to talk?

 

[Pebkio]

3. He paid 735 USD for a product that is typically 500 dollars

"I bought it there and then because I thought it was a good deal"

How? That's paying at least $200 more for what was already the most expensive next gen console. That doesn't make any sense to me at all.

Psst... hey guys, I've got a secret for you. Come in real close now, lend me your ear...

YES, 700+ DOLLARS! Thanks for reaffirming the unfair business practices apparent in other countries. Did you not see the reveal prices? Well, just for you, because you didn't do a single drop of research or pay attention AT ALL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2zslQ9PWPQ

I really don't know how you missed it... the E3 Press Conference was kind of a big deal. Basically, The price for Xbox One was set at £429. Yes, he paid a little bit more, probably because he thought he was getting a garanteed purchase, but we've already established that he doesn't make the best choices.

I'm specifically pissed at you two because you going "har har what a buffoon spending so much more" (when you don't even know the price ranges) really makes you come off as ignorant, entitled, Americans who can't see beyond their Country's border. You're making the rest of us look bad. Do you also think he atually paid $735 American Dollars? He lives in Nottingham, U.K. and not 'Merica, understand?

Just stop posting until you can wrap your head around the fact the most other countries have to pay more than what we do.

 

[mysecondlife]

not surprising considering this guy's stupid enough to have a child at 15

Maybe he bought a condom from ebay and ended up with just a picture of one

 

[RJ 17]

I'm sorry but...that's pretty funny. The only thing that would have been funnier is if the seller also printed a giant troll-face on the back of the picture along with that "Thank You For Your Purchase!" message.

I'll also go ahead and join the "WTF He Was 15 When He Had A Kid?!" group, and also add that I wonder how a 19 year old with a child could afford to spend that much money on an XBone on eBay.