A bargain is great when you get what you think you are getting. But when that deal comes with a surprise, you may be getting more than you bargained for!

When 10-year-old Kade Goodman of Omaha, Nebraska, received a handheld PlayStation Portable (or PSP, for those in the know) for Christmas, he was expecting hours of gaming and not a picture of someone’s genitalia.

Kade’s dad had purchased the device used through CD Tradepost. Although the company says they try to make sure all images stored on the gaming devices by the original owner are deleted from the system, this one slipped by. The Goodmans are not the only ones purchasing used gaming devices online. With money troubles on everyone’s mind, sites like Craiglist and eBay seem like great options — and they are, as long as you follow a few simple steps:

1) Anytime you purchase technology used, request that the seller reformat the device to the manufacture’s original settings.

2) Check out the seller: On sites like eBay, you can read about the seller and see their rating (this tells you what types of experiences other buyers have had with this person).

3) Have the device sent to your office or a P.O. Box. No reason to let a stranger know there is a child in your home!

Knowing what questions to ask can help you from accidentally exposing your child to inappropriate content. Happy gaming, all!