I found what seems like a good deal on a PowerColor RX 6950 XT Liquid Devil with liquid cooling. The seller claims it is new and still sealed, but the card was imported and has no warranty. They also refuse to open the packaging or test it, so I cannot verify its condition or whether it works. The marketplace does not offer reliable refunds. Is there any practical way to protect myself from getting scammed, or should I avoid the purchase?
3 Answers
Used hardware itself is not automatically a problem, but this particular deal has several risks: no warranty, international origin, no refund protection, and no functional test. Liquid-cooled graphics cards can also be more complicated and expensive to deal with if the pump or cooling system has an issue. Buying from a seller who allows testing or provides a clear return option would be much safer.
The seller’s behavior is suspicious. Calling it “unpackaged” is confusing if the card is still sealed in its inner plastic, and refusing to open it means you have no way to confirm the condition. A seller who genuinely wants to complete a high-value sale should understand why a buyer wants basic verification. I would probably pass unless there is some trustworthy payment protection.
Without buyer protection, a return policy, or the chance to test the card, this is basically a gamble. Ask to inspect the sealed packaging for damage and verify the serial number if possible, but none of that proves the GPU works. If the seller will not let you test it, I would only consider it if the price is low enough that you can afford to lose the entire amount.
To clarify, the card is still inside the package with the protective plastic on it. The seller does not want to remove it or test the card.