Buying a used phone

[Newtons Apple]

eBay is actually pretty good when it comes to buying because they'll protect you like crazy. It's the seller who's at a disadvantage, especially given the 6-month window for disputes.

I thought they reduced the dispute time

 

[rigormortis]

This is baffling. is it some specific model of it or soemthing? I know AT&T sells (or sold) the fire phone.

yeah it was baffling.

all they would say on the phone was "this model was not designed to operate on our network, this is a test phone"

if i submitted an unlock request it would say that the device is still under subsidy and i haven't fulfilled my agreement

i asked for a AT&T non customer unlock, which is a new unlock option they have now.

the eBay seller agreed to take it back and paid for return shipping


im guessing it was a stolen store demo. but i have no idea how to distinguish one

i guess when buying used phones for AT&T. do the following:
1. verify the iPhone is fully unlocked to eliminate any problems with AT&T.
2. check the imei using free imei checkers, like swappa
3. go to AT&t's website and pretend to sign up an account.
you go to shop , wireless, bring your own phone or tablet
enter the imei number
if it allows you to proceed, choose a sim, and pick a plan the imei is valid
if the imei is bad, it will say "we have disovered a problem with the imei you entered"
4. call AT&T at 1 800 331 0500 and ask them what is up with the imei

 

[CEmajr]

I also suggest buying from eBay. The dispute window is a massive 180 days and if you have a credit card then also use that to make your purchase for added protection. Most allow up to 180 days for a chargeback. Needless to say if your phone is clean and working after 6 months then it's probably good to go. You could buy from Swappa as well since they process payments through Paypal and Paypal also has a 180 day dispute window.

I personally wouldn't buy an expensive phone like a 6 Plus from Craigslist. About $250 is the max risk I'm willing to take with used devices in cash.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I thought they reduced the dispute time

180 days https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/ua/upcoming-policies-full

 

[PearlWhiteGT]

After the experience I just went through I wouldn't buy used. I would just buy a new one and not have to worry about it.

 

[newellj]

If the seller tells the rep "hey I am selling my phone and I want to verify in the system I am the rightful owner of this phone, it has no payments left, etc." I don't see why the rep wouldn't oblige. They aren't divulging any information the account holder isn't telling them to.

Oh, I agree completely. They could report it stolen after the sale. But at a carrier store, the employees could (and I stress could, but not necessarily will) verify the selling party's identity, verify they are the rightful owner of the phone (or at least the main account holder), that there's no remaining contract on the phone, and that the phone has been removed from the sellers account.

Now, I don't necessarily know that they WILL do all this, since a private sale between two third parties does not in any way benefit them (thus no incentive to perform those tasks), but at least it's a place to start.

I'd be really surprised if any carrier permits their employees to volunteer that kind of information. There are significant customer privacy and carrier liability concerns that at a minimum would require significant ID procedures that were documented to protect the carrier. In all likelihood, though, since there's literally nothing in it for the carrier, it's very unlikely they'd do this. I'm not saying it's impossible, but very unlikely.

 

[lordofthereef]

I'd be really surprised if any carrier permits their employees to volunteer that kind of information. There are significant customer privacy and carrier liability concerns that at a minimum would require significant ID procedures that were documented to protect the carrier. In all likelihood, though, since there's literally nothing in it for the carrier, it's very unlikely they'd do this. I'm not saying it's impossible, but very unlikely.

Firstly, I have done it. Secondly, nobody is volunteering anything outside the seller. The seller is the one saying everything and they are confirming it. You can believe me or, not. There is no privacy violation when the person selling the phone is talking out loud.

 

[bunnicula]

Firstly, I have done it. Secondly, nobody is volunteering anything outside the seller. The seller is the one saying everything and they are confirming it. You can believe me or, not. There is no privacy violation when the person selling the phone is talking out loud.

Yep. This is accurate information.

 

[MistahMumford]

I buy all of my devices Through Craigslist and have not had any issues. My 6 Plus was MINT and only cost me 60 bucks plus my 6! Good deal to me!