'Buyer beware' goes the saying, but in these times of fast and convenient internet transactions, it's easy to become too trusting of what we're buying online. That was the harsh lesson learned by dad Peter Clatworthy.
The 19-year-old bought a 'bargain' XBox One on eBay and forked out £450 for the coveted console.
But when it finally arrived in the post, he was shocked to receive a grainy printed photo of one instead.
Peter had spent a year saving up to buy a limited edition of the sought-after console for his son McKenzie's fourth Christmas.
But he was duped last week by an advert which said 'XBox One Fifa Day One Edition, Photo Brand New UK 2012' - referring only to a sheet of A4 paper.
The auction site seller even wrote 'thank you for your purchase' on the back.
Peter, from Bilborough, Nottinghamshire, said: "I'm absolutely gutted. I had saved up for months, just cutting back on things and putting money in a pot, £20 here and £10 there.
"It came in a brown envelope. When the postman gave it to me I kept asking him if he was sure this package was for me and he kept saying it was.
"As soon as I knew it was for me I realised it was a con. I pulled out a crumpled piece of A4 paper with a pretty bad picture of an Xbox One probably taken from Google.
"I was shocked but then I thought, I only have myself to blame because it does say the word 'photo' on the ad."
The dad has since been refunded by eBay but will be unlikely to pick up another console - as it has almost completely sold out in the UK just two weeks after its release.
Normally selling for £430, the Xbox One is sold out until the new year.
Despite his experience, Peter said friends and even his mother have done little to console him.
He said: "I told my brother and he was crying with laughter. So were all of my mates. It is quite embarrassing.
"Even my mum said I was a bit stupid considering it said it was a photo on the listing. This has definitely turned me off eBay and I don't think I will be using it again because of this.
"It has potentially ruined Christmas."
He added: "I emailed the seller and he told me it was a console - so he did lie to me."
An eBay spokesman said: "We don't allow listings which mislead, and will take action against this seller. Customers can shop with confidence on eBay as we guarantee you will get your item or your money back.
"Mr Clatworthy is covered by the eBay money-back guarantee and we will be contacting him to put things right."