Tips on Selling iPhone 5

mahnamahna · Jan 14, 2013, 01:47 PM

I just got an iPhone with an extra upgrade to make a little extra money reselling. The only problem is I am having trouble selling it on Craigslist. It is just so overrun by scam posts. Also I'm pretty sure half of the people responding to me are trying to scam me. Are there any better forums or exchange sites you guys know of? Also, what do you think I should be trying to get for an ATT 16 Gig still sealed? Also, speaking of it still being sealed, is it a problem that it comes with a SIM card? Will they be able to activate it on my account? Thanks a lot for any tips you can lend!

maflynn · Jan 14, 2013, 01:49 PM

I'd say only take cash and a personal transaction anyone offering paypal, or shipping should be ignored - I wouldn't even respond.

I think craigslist is the best option, other then maybe gazelle which is good if you want a quick sale, though you'll not get as much from them.

ZeRoLiMiT · Jan 14, 2013, 02:08 PM

OR ebay?

cheezeit · Jan 14, 2013, 02:59 PM

sim will be deactivated if it isn't already. and they are going for 550-600 here. get it factory unlocked.... it will help it sell for only $2 more.

HungryWolf · Jan 14, 2013, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeRoLiMiT

OR ebay?

^ that.

There are people getting robbed pretty often in consumer electronics exchanges. I personally take hits on some of my more expensive stuff on eBay as opposed to taking the risk.

Not to mention, it's way easier to sell on eBay.

designs216 · Jan 14, 2013, 03:33 PM

Gotta be patient when using CL but the upsides are free listing and no shipping charges. Be sure to mention remaining AppleCare and that you have all original manuals, cables, etc and if you've kept it in an enclosure. Offer to meet them in an Apple store where they can have the Genius Bar check it out. These last 2 things reassure the buyer that YOU are legit.

zone23 · Jan 14, 2013, 03:56 PM

I've been thinking about selling mine and it will go up on ebay IF i do. I have sold a few phones on ebay its painless.

53x12 · Jan 14, 2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zone23

I've been thinking about selling mine and it will go up on ebay IF i do. I have sold a few phones on ebay its painless.

So have I and CL is even more painless. Free listing, post a few pics, ignore responses you don't want to deal with, setup meet at a public location, get cash and you are done. No fees. No need to ship. No worry you will get scammed by someone on eBay. CL is my preferred method.

cfs112 · Jan 14, 2013, 04:51 PM

In my experience, CL has become increasingly full of scam artists. Its getting harder and more time consuming to find legit buyers or sellers. I'd post it up on both CL and eBay.

53x12 · Jan 14, 2013, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfs112

In my experience, CL has become increasingly full of scam artists. Its getting harder and more time consuming to find legit buyers or sellers. I'd post it up on both CL and eBay.

Same is said for eBay. It is to the point where you have to video record the item being sold, that it works, that you packaged it and video record it at the post office/UPS/FedEx facility, video while you tape it up and video while you hand it over for shipping. Too many scams stating it was filled with rocks and no item in the box. Basically you need a signed affidavit stating you did send the item as eBay/Paypal have the history of siding with the buyer and not the seller. No thanks.

With CL you deal local and with cash. Not sure how you can get scammed if you meet in a safe, public spot that is busy with lots of people. Meet in an Apple store. Meet outside a police station/city hall. Meet in a busy Starbucks/Panera.

From CL you can tell if they are a legit and serious buyer by the grammar they use in the emails and whether they give their cell number for calling/text for meeting up.

cheezeit · Jan 14, 2013, 09:25 PM

I usually set the meeting location at my local PD and that deters all scammers.

Estes · Jan 14, 2013, 09:57 PM

My local bank has a pretty big lobby which makes for a great CL meeting place; plenty of people around and cameras filming everything.

cheezeit · Jan 14, 2013, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estes

My local bank has a pretty big lobby which makes for a great CL meeting place; plenty of people around and cameras filming everything.

ive never done at a bank yet. i get nervous they will boot me out lol. figured its a private place or something.

Estes · Jan 14, 2013, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezeit

ive never done at a bank yet. i get nervous they will boot me out lol. figured its a private place or something.

As you can probably tell from my location I live in a pretty small town so I've known most of the tellers awhile. Because of this they don't mind me being in there.

mahnamahna · Jan 14, 2013, 10:49 PM

Thanks for all the replies!

I guess I'll be patient with craigslist. It is easy to spot the scammers, I just feel its hard to get any potential actual customers with so much ridiculous posts up there.

To clarify the SIM card shouldn't be a problem right, they won't be able to activate it. And is there any way to get the IMEI to unlock it without opening it? Thanks again!

designs216 · Jan 18, 2013, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezeit

ive never done at a bank yet. i get nervous they will boot me out lol. figured its a private place or something.

I did a CL appointment in a Fedex Kinkos when I sold my MP. The video cameras would keep everyone honest and the computer area proved to be the perfect place for the buyer to test the machine.

Jan 14, 2013, 01:47 PM	#1
mahnamahna macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Boston	Tips on Selling iPhone 5 I just got an iPhone with an extra upgrade to make a little extra money reselling. The only problem is I am having trouble selling it on Craigslist. It is just so overrun by scam posts. Also I'm pretty sure half of the people responding to me are trying to scam me. Are there any better forums or exchange sites you guys know of? Also, what do you think I should be trying to get for an ATT 16 Gig still sealed? Also, speaking of it still being sealed, is it a problem that it comes with a SIM card? Will they be able to activate it on my account? Thanks a lot for any tips you can lend!
	0

Jan 14, 2013, 03:56 PM	#7
zone23 macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2012	I've been thinking about selling mine and it will go up on ebay IF i do. I have sold a few phones on ebay its painless. __________________ iPhone 5 16gb; HTC Droid DNA, Macbook Pro 13' (Late 2011, i7, 16GB RAM, OCZ Agility 3 480GB SSD); iMac 21.5 (Late 2011, i5, 16GB RAM; 16gb iPad 3; AppleTV 3; 2TB Time Capsule; Airport Extreme
	0

Jan 14, 2013, 04:51 PM	#9
cfs112 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2012	In my experience, CL has become increasingly full of scam artists. Its getting harder and more time consuming to find legit buyers or sellers. I'd post it up on both CL and eBay. __________________ 2012 non-retina MBP (16GB RAM, SSD + HDD combo), iPhone 5, iPad Mini, 2007 24" iMac
	0

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Jan 14, 2013, 01:49 PM	#2
maflynn Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Boston	I'd say only take cash and a personal transaction anyone offering paypal, or shipping should be ignored - I wouldn't even respond. I think craigslist is the best option, other then maybe gazelle which is good if you want a quick sale, though you'll not get as much from them.
	0

Jan 14, 2013, 02:08 PM	#3
ZeRoLiMiT macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2010	OR ebay?
	0

Jan 14, 2013, 02:59 PM	#4
cheezeit macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2010	sim will be deactivated if it isn't already. and they are going for 550-600 here. get it factory unlocked.... it will help it sell for only $2 more.
	0

Jan 14, 2013, 03:33 PM	#6
designs216 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: On the way to M-83	Gotta be patient when using CL but the upsides are free listing and no shipping charges. Be sure to mention remaining AppleCare and that you have all original manuals, cables, etc and if you've kept it in an enclosure. Offer to meet them in an Apple store where they can have the Genius Bar check it out. These last 2 things reassure the buyer that YOU are legit.
	1

Jan 14, 2013, 09:25 PM	#11
cheezeit macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2010	I usually set the meeting location at my local PD and that deters all scammers.
	0

Jan 14, 2013, 09:57 PM	#12
Estes macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Somerville, AL	My local bank has a pretty big lobby which makes for a great CL meeting place; plenty of people around and cameras filming everything.
	0

Jan 14, 2013, 10:49 PM	#15
mahnamahna Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Boston	Thanks for all the replies! I guess I'll be patient with craigslist. It is easy to spot the scammers, I just feel its hard to get any potential actual customers with so much ridiculous posts up there. To clarify the SIM card shouldn't be a problem right, they won't be able to activate it. And is there any way to get the IMEI to unlock it without opening it? Thanks again!
	0