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

[Caiphus]

Also, the fact that he was paying more then the console usually costs, and thought it was a "great deal".

He wasn't. He paid 450 pounds, which is exactly how much a Fifa 14 bundle is going for in the UK:

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-11/13/console-roundup-xbox-one

Edit: See? You didn't check. You were ignorant of the proper price. Does this make you an idiot? No. Of course not. This also doesn't mean it's now okay for me to take $700 of your money.

 

[TheMadDoctorsCat]

Wait... the guy bought a PICTURE of an item, instead of the actual item? As in, the postal scam that's been going on for almost as long as the post-office itself has? And people still fall for that?

Dude, 1908 called... and it wants its rocket scientist back!

 

[T_ConX]

Money Liberated from Moron with Deep Pockets - EBay Seller Hailed as Hero

 

[Skeleon]

To be fair to the buyer, ebay is full of scammers.
I remember back when there was a discounter who had a lottery to win cars if you collected stickers, and ebay'd be full of offers for "winning stickers" and whatnot, only to have - in very small font - disclaimers along the lines of "you're purchasing information about winning stickers, not winning stickers themselves" or "this package of stickers is unopened so who the fuck knows what's inside but I'm still going to advertise them like they're part of winning a car". Yes, they always include disclaimers, but they make sure to make them as inconspicuous as possible, trying to trick people.
Usually, such things are prevented through consumer protections, but apparently not on ebay; they need to get their shit together. But at least in this case - probably because of the publicity of the case and the amount of money involved - they set things right afterwards.
I don't quite get the dislike many in this thread have for the buyer. Do you just hate having consumer protections? What's this "you got fucked over because you were stupid, therefore it's your problem for being scammed"-sentiment?
This kind of misleading advertising and scamming is illegal, regardless whether you do it to somebody who sees through it or somebody who does not.

 

[DanielBrown]

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.

I don't know about elsewhere but I know we do it here in the states too.

How peculiar! It's not like you're speaking the same language. ;P
We got it in Sweden too. They're called "tonåringar" here since we end 13-19 with ton. Danish and Noweigan ends them with ten, so in Norway they say tenåringar and in Denmark... teenager/teen, apparently. Any Danes here who want to explain?

OT: Sucks to be scammed, but I'm sure as fuck he wasn't buying it for his four year old kid. Won't get a sympathy vote from me.

 

[Yopaz]

"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.

Actually I thought that too when I read that part, then I went to check and it turns out that the cheapest on Amazon is £429 which clocks in at about $700. Checking further the cheapest available is $950. It's a shame because I really wanted to call this guy stupid, but compared to the prices listed it's actually a good deal.

OT: It's hard to side with this guy. He was tricked, but it's not like the seller lied in his listing. He said he was selling a picture of an Xbox One and that he did. Still, it was deliberate to fool him.

 

[Altorin]

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

I completely disagree with the cornholing this guy seems to be getting in this thread but that's probably the funniest thing I've read all week.

OT: The guy was scammed. We don't side with the scammers when people get scammed if we have a shred of decency. It's a jerk move to pull and even if "TECHNICALLY" the scammer put it out there that he was selling a picture, that doesn't make it an okay thing to do to trick someone, and he was clearly trying to trick them.

PayPal and eBay both side against scammers. They're not looking at this guy as some sort of villain that's playing the system and should have read the fine print. That's not the sort of situation we should strive to.

As for him having a kid at 15, that's unfortunate, but it happened. What's he supposed to do? Flush the kid down the toilet? I mean, maybe I just didn't get my time machine in the mail, but mistakes happen and considering he's a college student, I think he's on the right track and should be applauded for that much at least.

I'm sure I'll get tarred and feathered for siding with the guy but whatev.

 

[Neverhoodian]

Sheesh, so many people coming down on the guy for having a kid at fifteen. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think it's really none of our business to judge him on that. Those without sin casting the first stone and all that. At least he's still around for his kid instead of being a deadbeat dad.

 

[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

I completely disagree with the cornholing this guy seems to be getting in this thread but that's probably the funniest thing I've read all week.

OT: The guy was scammed. We don't side with the scammers when people get scammed if we have a shred of decency. It's a jerk move to pull and even if "TECHNICALLY" the scammer put it out there that he was selling a picture, that doesn't make it an okay thing to do to trick someone, and he was clearly trying to trick them.

PayPal and eBay both side against scammers. They're not looking at this guy as some sort of villain that's playing the system and should have read the fine print. That's not the sort of situation we should strive to.

As for him having a kid at 15, that's unfortunate, but it happened. What's he supposed to do? Flush the kid down the toilet? I mean, maybe I just didn't get my time machine in the mail, but mistakes happen and considering he's a college student, I think he's on the right track and should be applauded for that much at least.

I'm sure I'll get tarred and feathered for siding with the guy but whatev.

I agree with everything you said. But if I can have a laugh at anyone's expense (especially since its on the internet), I'll do it. I'm skimming through the thread right now, and wow.. he's getting a lot of flak for having a kid. Of course.. he could be lying about it. Who knows?

Anyways, thanks for laughing with me.

 

[Altorin]

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

I completely disagree with the cornholing this guy seems to be getting in this thread but that's probably the funniest thing I've read all week.

OT: The guy was scammed. We don't side with the scammers when people get scammed if we have a shred of decency. It's a jerk move to pull and even if "TECHNICALLY" the scammer put it out there that he was selling a picture, that doesn't make it an okay thing to do to trick someone, and he was clearly trying to trick them.

PayPal and eBay both side against scammers. They're not looking at this guy as some sort of villain that's playing the system and should have read the fine print. That's not the sort of situation we should strive to.

As for him having a kid at 15, that's unfortunate, but it happened. What's he supposed to do? Flush the kid down the toilet? I mean, maybe I just didn't get my time machine in the mail, but mistakes happen and considering he's a college student, I think he's on the right track and should be applauded for that much at least.

I'm sure I'll get tarred and feathered for siding with the guy but whatev.

I agree with everything you said. But if I can have a laugh at anyone's expense (especially since its on the internet), I'll do it. I'm skimming through the thread right now, and wow.. he's getting a lot of flak for having a kid. Of course.. he could be lying about it. Who knows?

Anyways, thanks for laughing with me.

oh, don't get me wrong, I wasn't really calling you out.. it seemed like a good natured poke and I thought it was great I have a better question though... who cares if he's lying about getting it for his kid? like who's business is that of anyone? Even if eBay hadn't covered him, PayPal would have, and i'd be freaking furious too, even if it was just for me... if it really was for my kid? I'd be doubly furious, but really what does it matter?

This thread just makes me sad to be a human.

 

[Doom972]

So he fathered a son at age 15 and decided to get his 4 year old son an Xbone. Those are some hasty, impulsive decisions there.

Still, the seller did put it in the wrong category so I guess that the buyer isn't entirely to blame.

 

[Dogstile]

I see a lot of people are just latching on to the fact that he had a kid at 15... or alternatively he got married to someone with a kid recently. In any case, so many people here are definitely embracing this point and simultaneously embracing their strong "blame the victim" mentality.

See if you can spot the similarities:
This story: "This guy has a kid at 15 years old and gets conned? Well of COURSE he did, he's stupid!"

Stories of Rape Victims: "This girl dressed like that in public and got raped? Well of COURSE she did, she's slutty!"

Conning and taking advantage of innocent people is never right, regardless of who the victim is or their lifestyle.

Everyone blaming the victim here is just being disgusting...

People here have this weird obsession with rape. Its not even close to the same thing. You don't get a choice if you get raped. You get the opportunity to read about what you're buying before you buy it. You're not forced to buy it.

 

[OuendanCyrus]

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.

Being from the UK myself, I can confirm that the age of consent here is 16, but it isn't uncommon for people to have their first sexual experience at the age of 14.

There's nothing "wrong" of having a 4 year old son at 19 per se, I just find it slightly... uncomfortable per se.

But anyway, that is pretty dumb, always make sure to check that the stuff you buy online is legit, glad the seller got banned.

 

[Dogstile]

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.

Being from the UK myself, I can confirm that the age of consent here is 16, but it isn't uncommon for people to have their first sexual experience at the age of 14.

There's nothing "wrong" of having a 4 year old son at 19 per se, I just find it slightly... uncomfortable per se.

But anyway, that is pretty dumb, always make sure to check that the stuff you buy online is legit, glad the seller got banned.

I'm gonna go with there's plenty wrong with it. Its very rare that you find someone who's well adjusted enough to deal with a kid, puberty and all the other perks of growing up at the same time well. I feel sorry for that kid, I bet his dad snaps at him a lot.

Gonna go ahead and mention my mum, who I love dearly, had kids at 16. She loves us and does her best, but by no means has it been a good childhood, so its not like i'm looking at him and going "well he's stupid" without knowing anything about it.

But I suppose this really could use another thread.

Edit:

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.

Psst, you can go to college for free in the uk, don't tell anyone.

 

[Legion]

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

Best response in this thread so far.

OT: It doesn't matter if the guy should have paid more attention, the eBay seller broke the rules and conned him. eBay paid him a refund because that is the companies policy in such cases, not because he did the "It was for my kid" angle.

Sheesh, so many people coming down on the guy for having a kid at fifteen. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think it's really none of our business to judge him on that. Those without sin casting the first stone and all that. At least he's still around for his kid instead of being a deadbeat dad.

If this forum is anything to go by, gamers/geeks are a surprisingly judgemental lot.

Which I have always found kind of ironic considering how often people complain at being judged for their hobbies.

 

[Megalodon]

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.

Psst, you can go to college for free in the uk, don't tell anyone.

Indeed, and this guy apparently is (older than normal, most people finish college at 18, but that doesn't mean much in and of itself). But the poster you quoted was most likely using American terms, where college means Uni, which most certainly isn't free in this country (unless you're Scottish, but fuck the Scottish government).

 

[Strazdas]

Why is a 19 year old called a teenager now? i know that he may not be able to function as grown up with his intelligence but come on, adult is an adult and the age is 18.

Well you know what they say. Fool and his money are soon parted. If it looks too good - its a picture.

As for people raging about him having a son, you know, 200 years back and that would have been normal.

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.

Actually, bad for Ebay. Ebay just lost 735 dollars. Because they cant get them from the seller. and their ban means nothing, its very easy just to get a new account number in your bank (theoretically they give you however many you want, but after 5 they start asking why do you need so many, but there ARE legitimate reasons).

I don't think it was a con. If the seller said it was literally just a picture of an Xbox One, then so be it.

see the problem was it was in hardware category. Thats like putting on advertisement for a painting for a car in car trade section of the newspaper.

He's being a good father and getting his kid an Xbox One.

This sentence makes no sense!
Just think about it. Good father.... getting a 4 year old a new console.... and an Xbox to boot!

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.

so not using contraceptives are "manning up"?

Aw, come on now.... A UK teen pays in dollars... Really?

actually the article said the number in pounds and only provided rought estimate in dollars for comparison, because, you know, this is american website.

"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.

They sell for 500 pounds in UK, which is more than he paid for it.

 

[Ticklefist]

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.

so not using contraceptives are "manning up"?

Dealing with your mistakes like a man is. It's not a difficult concept to grasp.

 

[Strazdas]

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.

so not using contraceptives are "manning up"?

Dealing with your mistakes like a man is. It's not a difficult concept to grasp.

If it was a mistake then a simple solution is already present. It is called abortion.

 

[kahlzun]

whatever happened to caveat emptor?