how do you buy off of gumtree?

[Steve B]

Gumtree & Craig's List & similar are based on a 'cash on delivery' approach ...

TYPICALLY, you contact the seller and jointly agree somewhere in public to do the exchange, typically half way between were you each live (eg. a Motorway Service Station)... .. you bring cash, the seller brings the goods ....

You get to 'inspect' the goods & if they are "as described", you hand over the cash ..


BE AWARE that there are a LOT of 'scammers' on these sites - so if you get some story like 'pay me by PayPal / Bank transfer & I'll bring it round' you might want to think again .. and watch out for any excuse to get you away from the public place (anyone who says "it's in the car" gets the answer "I'll wait here whilst you fetch it then" ...)

Another 'red flag' is a seller who changes the 'arrangements' just before you are due to meet ... e.g. has some unbelievable excuse that means you have to go to 'their place' (or their 'friends place') to complete the deal ....