I'm looking to buy an iphone 7 and I see on eBay that there are some refurbished 256gb iphone 7's going for around $529. They are the GSM only versions which is fine because I'm on T-mobile. Is there anything I should be wary of when looking at these devices?
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Buying an iPhone on eBay
- Thread starter joe8232
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I advise staying away from Ebay, and looking at Swappa.com.
1) Ask for CLEAR photos showing all sides - some sellers post only one photo, sometimes fairly blurred, or a set of photos in low quality. Ask for clear photos of the device to make sure its in the same cosmetic state as described.
2) Ask them if everything is working properly or not. Get it in writing (ex. eBay message). It helps if they sell you with something broken, say TouchID, which you only realise when you get the phone. If something is not working, you can demand a refund.
3) Check their eBay feedback, don't buy from people with low feedback.
4) Check if they offer a refund / exchange. It's good to have it as backup.
4) MOST IMPORTANT: Ask for IMEI and check on http://imeipro.info to make sure it's not blacklisted, not reported lost/stolen and has iCloud Activation Lock off. Do not buy if it's blacklisted, reported lost or stolen or has Activation Lock/Find My iPhone on.
2) Ask them if everything is working properly or not. Get it in writing (ex. eBay message). It helps if they sell you with something broken, say TouchID, which you only realise when you get the phone. If something is not working, you can demand a refund.
3) Check their eBay feedback, don't buy from people with low feedback.
4) Check if they offer a refund / exchange. It's good to have it as backup.
4) MOST IMPORTANT: Ask for IMEI and check on http://imeipro.info to make sure it's not blacklisted, not reported lost/stolen and has iCloud Activation Lock off. Do not buy if it's blacklisted, reported lost or stolen or has Activation Lock/Find My iPhone on.
Very good suggestions from @ssrij
Check feedback and get any important questions you have answered by the seller before purchasing.
I just got a brand new unopened 7 Plus on eBay (the sim free world phone model) and it’s perfect. It still has the full 1-year Apple warranty and is eligible for AppleCare.
I’ve largely had good experiences buying and selling on eBay. eBay and PayPal are separate companies now, and both offer some protections from fraud and money back guarantees + the credit or bank card you use may offer its own protections.
This is my first iPhone purchase from eBay, but I got my MacBook Pro on eBay as a couple years ago too (also new and fully warrantied) and saved over $500.
I’m not saying it’s a perfect system, but if you exercise a little caution you should be fine.
Check feedback and get any important questions you have answered by the seller before purchasing.
I just got a brand new unopened 7 Plus on eBay (the sim free world phone model) and it’s perfect. It still has the full 1-year Apple warranty and is eligible for AppleCare.
I’ve largely had good experiences buying and selling on eBay. eBay and PayPal are separate companies now, and both offer some protections from fraud and money back guarantees + the credit or bank card you use may offer its own protections.
This is my first iPhone purchase from eBay, but I got my MacBook Pro on eBay as a couple years ago too (also new and fully warrantied) and saved over $500.
I’m not saying it’s a perfect system, but if you exercise a little caution you should be fine.
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I would wait a bit before buying anything. As soon as the new iPhones are released for sale it won't be long after that you will see the iPhone 7 and 7+ show up in the Apple refurbished store. Right now the Apple on line refurbished store has the iPhone 6s and 6s+. Apple refurbished iPhones are placed in a new outer case and have a new battery and are warranted for one year. And finally... stay away from eBay.
EBay has drastically changed over the years where it's become a buyer's nightmare if they are involved with the wrong person who is trying to fraudulently take advantage of them. I always recommend to always research the seller and their feedback, prior selling history, make sure the item has lots of photos, check for responsiveness of the seller and ask questions and document any conversation between the seller and buyer.
I've bought and sold many high end electronics in eBay without issue, including iPhones.
Just do as suggested, check if device is blacklisted.
If seller has excellent history, is using their own photos and a clear discriotion, you should be good.
Ebay and PayPal heavily favor the buyer
That being said, with the pending release of new models just a few days away, waiting about 12 days would likely serve you well....
Just do as suggested, check if device is blacklisted.
If seller has excellent history, is using their own photos and a clear discriotion, you should be good.
Ebay and PayPal heavily favor the buyer
That being said, with the pending release of new models just a few days away, waiting about 12 days would likely serve you well....