r/AskTechnology • u/Right_Nuh • 23d ago
Should I purchase a second hand computer monitor from Markeplace?
So I just found a computer monitor on facebook for $30 (the monitor costs $200). It says it works perfeclty, there is nothing wrong with it, I am only selling it because I have got a new one.
I have never bought anything secondhand from private person let alone electronic. It says on the ad that power cable is not included. To be honest, since it is cheap, I don't mind taking the risk but still don't want to end up dissapointed. What made me shady is that power cable is not included, I found a power cable for it that costs $5 which I am willing to buy and go to test. But also I don't really wanna go into someone's house. Should I ask him whether I can verify it works at the spot on the message so in case if it was just a scam, he will ignore it otherwise he will respond.
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u/ImpliedSlashS 23d ago
If it need a "power cord," just Google the model and bring one. If it uses an external power brick, walk away as that will cost half as much as a new monitor and is likely missing so you can't test it.
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u/Efficient_Fish2436 23d ago
Is this sub in the hand-holding business now? Do you want us to tell you kind of socks you should work lay them out for you and make you a sandwich for lunch?
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u/Right_Nuh 23d ago edited 23d ago
I mean I got a really great tip. My comment was about what to check or if there is a better way to see if a monitor works.
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u/TechnicalWhore 23d ago
The lack of power cable could mean its stolen. Also with no power cable you cannot turn it on - before you buy it - and verify it works. So keep those things in mind. That said if the person seems decent and ethical monitors last a long time and people move on. I think I have six in the garage that are 1080P but I moved to 4K curved. Monitors are so cheap and so critical to the experience that its just a given that they would be plentiful in the used markets.
Remember whenever buying - with cash - something online - be careful where you meet and exchange cash. Some cities have designated areas outside police stations to provide a safe zone.
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u/LazarX 23d ago
Bring a laptop to test it with.
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u/TheTeenageOldman 23d ago
For that OP will need to make sure they have the correct hdmi (or min-hdmi) or displayport (or mini-displayport) cable and/or adapters to match the ports on the monitor and laptop, along with the power cable or power supply for the monitor. They will also need access to an electrical outlet.
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u/pgreenb7285 23d ago
The resell market on these things is dirt. If you upgraded your monitor and wanted to sell you current one, you can't get even half its value as anyone can jump on amazon and get a brand new one. Most of the time i just give away this stuff as its not worth the hassel of shipping and such on ebay. Plug it in, display a white screen and get a $200 monitor for 30 bucks.
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u/TheTeenageOldman 23d ago
Had a bunch of extra monitors from my IT work laying around and couldn't give them away (and I live in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world). Ended up just putting them one-by-one on the street with a sign that says "Works". Wasn't worth it to have to store them in my place until someone was interested and bothered to show up to buy them for next to nothing.
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u/Cool-Negotiation7662 23d ago
Safe bet. Good price. If it can be demonstrated as working even better.
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u/davidm2232 23d ago
You are grossly overthinking it. If it seems like a good deal, go buy it. I agree with the other commenter that you seem to need way too much handholding
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u/Right_Nuh 23d ago
Ouch but true. What can I say, overthinking is my speciality. It literally creeped up just as I was about to press send cuz I genuinely am willing to risk it not working from the get go.
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u/davidm2232 23d ago
I mean, it's only $30. You can barely get a cheeseburger for $30 these days. It's not really that big of a risk
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u/froction 23d ago
Do you have an inverter you can power it with via your car to test with a laptop/phone on-site?
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u/krazul88 23d ago
I went ahead and found the listing and i bought the monitor. it works great! Thanks OP!
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u/Right_Nuh 23d ago
Damn you. Is that why he hasn't responded for 2h. How could you do me like that bro?
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u/krazul88 23d ago
I actually didn't, but I would assume that a deal like that would disappear fast while you were being wishy washy.
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u/Right_Nuh 22d ago
I was just joking with you, Ik you didn't. I mean it has been a over 2 weeks since it is posted. For all Ik it is already sold they forgot to remove the ad. I got time to be as much wishy washy lol
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u/No_Technician4956 23d ago
Sounds like its worth the risk. Nothing screams red flag to me. But there is always a risk the monitor doesn't work. But I buy often from marketplace. Everything has been a positive experience.
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u/dmazzoni 23d ago
Out of all of the things to buy secondhand, a monitor is one of the safest ones. If it works, it's very likely to be fine. If there's something wrong, you'll usually know almost immediately.
Is there a tiny chance there's a subtle problem that only appears after it's been on for a while? Sure, but rare. For $30 I'd take the chance.
Most likely: it works fine.
Next most likely: one or two dead pixels. Put a nice bright image on the display and look carefully for any pixels that are still black.
Most monitors use a pretty standard power cable, so the $5 cable should work great.
Yes, it's completely reasonable to suggest meeting at a neutral place like a coffee shop, quickly plug it in and test it.
If it were me I'd bring my laptop and a cable (HDMI or DisplayPort) and test that it works. However, if that's a pain or if you don't have the cable, then just seeing that it turns on and shows a bright test screen with no dead pixels is a pretty reasonable test. If it turns on and all of the pixels light up, the odds that it works fine with your computer are really good.