Is a $30 Used Monitor Worth Buying Without a Power Cable?
Asked by
MellowCedar47
I found a monitor listed privately for $30, even though it originally cost around $200. The seller says it works perfectly and is only selling it because they upgraded, but the power cable is not included. I found a compatible cable for about $5 and would be willing to bring it along to test the monitor before buying. I would prefer not to enter a stranger's home, though, so I'm wondering whether it's reasonable to ask the seller to meet somewhere neutral or demonstrate that the monitor works. What should I check, and does the low price or missing cable seem suspicious?
Answers
The missing cable isn’t automatically suspicious. Many monitors use a common figure-eight or standard computer power cable, so a cheap replacement may be all you need. Check the exact model first, though. If it requires a proprietary external power brick and that brick is missing, the replacement could be much more expensive, so I’d be more cautious or skip it.
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Prioritize safety during the exchange. Meet during the day in a busy public location, or use a designated safe-trading area if one is available locally. Avoid carrying cash into a stranger’s home, and leave if the seller refuses a reasonable request to verify that the monitor works.
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A monitor is generally one of the safer electronics to buy used because most problems are easy to spot immediately. Bring the correct power cable, plus a laptop and an HDMI or DisplayPort cable if possible. Show a bright white image and inspect the screen for dead or stuck pixels, flickering, lines, dark areas, and uneven brightness. Also test the buttons and inputs. If it powers on and displays a clean image, it’s probably a good deal for $30. Meeting in a neutral public place is completely reasonable.
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The price can be normal for a used monitor, especially if it’s an older 1080p model. People often sell upgraded equipment cheaply because shipping it or listing it elsewhere isn’t worth the effort. Still, inspect the model and condition, and don’t assume the original retail price reflects its current value.
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MellowCedar47: That makes sense. I’ll message the seller and ask whether we can test it somewhere public so I don’t waste a trip or buy it without seeing it work.