Stay Safe guide

Meeting up

• Meet somewhere public and well lit, or at home with someone else present.
• Tell a friend where you're going and when you expect to be back.
• Bring someone with you for high-value items.
• For desktops, collection at the seller's home is common because you can see the PC running. That's fine, but follow the steps above.

Test before you pay

• See it power on and boot to the desktop, and ideally run a game or benchmark for a few minutes.
• Check the specs yourself. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc → Performance) to confirm CPU, RAM, GPU and storage. Check the GPU model in Device Manager or GPU-Z, and the CPU in the BIOS or CPU-Z.
• Listen for loud fans or coil whine and keep an eye on temperatures.
• Test every USB port, the network, Wi-Fi and the audio.
• For laptops: check the screen for dead pixels, the keyboard, the hinges and the battery health.
• Ask for the original receipt, especially for expensive parts. Check the serial numbers match any paperwork.

Paying safely

• RigYard never handles payment for items and will never ask you to pay through a link or an "escrow" service.
• Cash on collection, after you've tested the item, is the simplest option.
• An instant bank transfer while you're standing with the seller and the item is fine. Never send money to a stranger before you've seen the item.
• Avoid PayPal "Friends and Family" for purchases: it has no buyer protection.
• Never pay with gift cards, crypto or money transfer services.

Tips for sellers

• Don't hand over the item until you have the money. Bank transfers can be recalled.
• Be wary of buyers who offer more than the asking price or want to pay in advance.
• Wipe your data first: reset Windows (Settings → System → Recovery), sign out of your Microsoft, Steam and browser accounts, and save any BitLocker recovery keys.
• Keep your phone number private unless you choose to share it, and keep chats on-site.
• Add a verification photo showing a note with your username and today's date. It shows buyers you have the item.

Delivery

If you agree to delivery, use a tracked and insured service and photograph the item and packaging. Buyers should be aware that paying in advance for delivery from a private seller carries more risk than collection.

Report anything suspicious

Use the Report button on any listing, profile, message or review. Our moderators review reports and can remove listings and suspend accounts. Read how moderation works. If you've lost money, report it to your bank straight away and to Action Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland on 101.