All iPads Buying from Gumtree/Craigslist

[Scarlet Siren]

Hi all,

I've never bought eledtronics from Gumtree or Craigslist before but have used eBay in the past. I've have come across a good deal and I'm considering contacting the seller.

Can someone give me some tips on what to look at for when buying an iPad from these sites, please. I'm inexperienced and don't want to get burnt. And advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[subjonas]

Don't have much experience buying used devices myself, but if going through Craigslist, I will say always meet in a public place, no exceptions. And check the iPad settings to make sure 'find my iPad' is not turned on. Maybe test out a few apps, test the wifi if possible, take a picture and video with the front and back cameras and play it back. That's all I can think of.

 

[nebo1ss]

Another thing worth checking is battery capability especially if the iPad is more than one year old. If you have a laptop you can plug the iPad into then install Coconut battery on the laptop and it will give you two important bits of information. The number of charging cycles that the iPad has been through and also the state of the battery. You want to check the maximum design charge and the maximum charge possible today.

I recently did this with an iPhone 6s i was considering buying from someone on Gumtree and the battery was in a terrible state with an ability to only charge to about 60 percent of the design capability.

i always try to meet in a coffee shop so i have time to check out the device.

 

[Mercaptan]

Definitely check out the number of battery cycles

For iPads with cellular access, make sure the device hasn't been blacklisted by the carrier for non-payment or some other problem.

Check all the buttons to make sure they don't wobble and that they are firmly attached.

 

[Scarlet Siren]

Thank you both.

It's a 128gb space grey wifi model. They're selling for £500 and can provide receipt. I wish I could find a cellular model but I guess I could tether if need be.

 

[eyeseeyou]

1. Make sure it's not iCloud locked
2. Make sure they can answer all of your questions
3. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is
4. If they refuse to meet in a well lit, public place then don't do the deal
5. Be cautious of customers who cannot spell correctly when replying or use a lot of slang

 

[Scarlet Siren]

1. Make sure it's not iCloud locked
2. Make sure they can answer all of your questions
3. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is
4. If they refuse to meet in a well lit, public place then don't do the deal
5. Be cautious of customers who cannot spell correctly when replying or use a lot of slang

How do I check for iCloud locking?

 

[eyeseeyou]

How do I check for iCloud locking?

Ask them if it's iCloud unlocked, if they don't know have them find out. I think you can look it up by serial number.

There are lots of iOS devices on craigslist on sale for low prices that won't list the device is locked to someone elses iCloud until you ask them. Don't buy a device that is iCloud locked.

 

[MH01]

Thank you both.

It's a 128gb space grey wifi model. They're selling for £500 and can provide receipt. I wish I could find a cellular model but I guess I could tether if need be.

Geez gumtree. From my experience they tend to be stolen etc, i.e. Don't ask questions how they got them

Though you can get genuine sales.

Okay, if it's a genuine sale it should have a verified receipt and sales date.

Get the serial number and punch it in here

https://checkcoverage.apple.com/gb/en/

If it does not come up, it means it was not sold through proper channels. It it comes up it will match the date on the reciept.

Don't forget, sales receipts can be knocked up via photoshop easy.

Other than that follow the others advice and make sure it's not iCloud locked.

 

[Scarlet Siren]

Just view the iPad. Looks in good condition with the exception of 2 scratches. EVerything is in the box. The iPad was factory reset and I could actually log on to my own iCloud account with no issues. Managed to grab the serial number and this what came up.

The only thing they couldn't find was the receipt... they said they'd email me when the found it but not getting my hopes up :-/

 

[Floris]

I admit, didn't bother reading the first post or the thread as a whole. Sorry. Going by title alone.

I never, would never, ever, buy from Craigslist - and I don't know gumtree.
I just can't imagine I will have a positive experience.
You can't trust people, they lie, and thieves use it to sell their crap.
In my opinion it's worse than Ebay, which I don't use for those reasons, either.

Sorry if I am strongly and perhaps wrongly opinionated. But I rather not waste my time and money. if I buy a great iPad that actually works, for $350 of craigslist, I would not feel happy wondering who's kids iPad that got stolen .. I use right now.

I buy my products new or refurbished, through Apple.nl, if only I could get my iPhone through apple as well, rather than tmobile.

 

[Scarlet Siren]

I admit, didn't bother reading the first post or the thread as a whole. Sorry. Going by title alone.

I never, would never, ever, buy from Craigslist - and I don't know gumtree.
I just can't imagine I will have a positive experience.
You can't trust people, they lie, and thieves use it to sell their crap.
In my opinion it's worse than Ebay, which I don't use for those reasons, either.

Sorry if I am strongly and perhaps wrongly opinionated. But I rather not waste my time and money. if I buy a great iPad that actually works, for $350 of craigslist, I would not feel happy wondering who's kids iPad that got stolen .. I use right now.

I buy my products new or refurbished, through Apple.nl, if only I could get my iPhone through apple as well, rather than tmobile.

No, you're quite right to share your option. That's what forums are for right and I did ask. So thank you for sharing your thoughts.

I'm going to sleep on it and give them time to find a receipt. If they can't produce one then I'm not buying it.

 

[ActionableMango]

Always meet in a public place. In fact my local police volunteer their lobby as a safe meeting place to conduct the transaction.

Having done this about 30 times now as both buyer and seller, it's generally a positive transaction.

The only negative I've had are flaky people that don't bother to show up at all and are too lazy to call/text to cancel because they changed their mind or found something better or whatever. So it's like being stood up.

 

[Scarlet Siren]

Always meet in a public place. In fact my local police volunteer their lobby as a safe meeting place to conduct the transaction.

Having done this about 30 times now as both buyer and seller, it's generally a positive transaction.

The only negative I've had are flaky people that don't bother to show up at all and are too lazy to call/text to cancel because they changed their mind or found something better or whatever. So it's like being stood up.

Do you insist on proof of purchase?
[doublepost=1477368677][/doublepost]......

 

[ActionableMango]

Do you insist on proof of purchase?

No, but as a buyer I've only bought used furniture, leftover flooring, and an exercise machine. Nobody keeps receipts for that stuff.

I don't think as a seller I could provide receipts either. I'm about to sell my Xbox360, but it's been 10+ years--I have no idea where the receipt is.

 

[Scarlet Siren]

No, but as a buyer I've only bought used furniture, leftover flooring, and an exercise machine. Nobody keeps receipts for that stuff.

I don't think as a seller I could provide receipts either. I'm about to sell my Xbox360, but it's been 10+ years--I have no idea where the receipt is.

Sorry, I was referring to buying electronics. Not furniture, I bought a brilliant juicer a few months ago, they were practically giving it away, I didn't care to see the receipt. But for the iPad I'm a lot more caucious just in case. I sold my phone on Gumtree and proved that I bought it, the buyer was satisfied.

 

[cibonak]

Definitely check out the number of battery cycles

For iPads with cellular access, make sure the device hasn't been blacklisted by the carrier for non-payment or some other problem.

Check all the buttons to make sure they don't wobble and that they are firmly attached.

How do you check the number of battery cycles in the ipad?

 

[Mercaptan]

Heh, I take it back. There's no way to tell without jailbreaking.

How do you check the number of battery cycles in the ipad?

 

[masotime]

Do you insist on proof of purchase?
[doublepost=1477368677][/doublepost]......

You really shouldn't be posting your serial number for everyone online to see....