The Dangers Of Buy and Selling Used Computers As A Home Based Business

I have a friend who buys and sells used computers as an income stream and put the information in an information course. He’s a great guy, fantastic entrepreneur, and I like the things I’ve read from him. What I’m about to write is not intended as any criticism of him, anyone else who sells such information, resells used computers or the concept or with the concept… I’m sure it can be quite lucrative.

When you buy anything at steep discounts, spruce up something, and resell it (especially on payments at interest) there can be huge returns. Like used cars, the person doing this and selling the computer for “what they have in it” can make good profits.

There’s just one hitch in this business… the plague of child pornography on the net.

You could wind up buying the used computer from a porn freak even if it’s a business machine.

Possession of images of these victims is illegal and distributing them to other people is another felony.

Most likely, the excuse “I didn’t know” just won’t cut it with law enforcement… they’re not the trusting types by the very nature of their work. And even though you didn’t mean anything by it necessarily, there are some who probably disguise their distribution of illegal content using this business as a ruse.

If you’re going to get into this line of work, you need to know how to

1) check for this stuff so you don’t buy a machine that turns you into an instant felon and
2) how to (if possible- you computer geeks know) salvage as much of the machine as possible for resale
3) whether you can get in trouble legally for failing to report this (ask a criminal attorney in your area) then do what you’re required

Sometimes the images are questionable… are they over 18 or under 18?

If you’re trying to decide how old they are, you might just be addicted to porn yourself and need to get help right away.

Don’t risk your freedom by thinking you can discern for yourself…are you nuts?

Err on the safe side. Don’t buy or resell any computer with anything questionable that can be found by a deep scan or you could be setting yourself up for big, BIG trouble. You don’t want you home business putting you behind bars and getting you labelled for life as a sex offender do you?

Once the label “sex offender” gets attached to your name, people won’t wait to hear the explanation that you were just selling used computers and you didn’t know.

You’ll be perceived as being the same kind of pervert as someone who preys on kids.

Unjust? Yes.

Could it happen? In a heartbeat.

So unless you’re knowledgeable enough to protect yourself… please beware.

As an aside, in interviewing the local psychologist who runs probation and parole’s sex offender treatment, he said he’d NEVER BUY A USED COMPUTER EVER FOR ANY REASON because of the facts I’ve mentioned to you here.

Note: For those troubled by their online activities, I recommend this filter .