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Checklist for Buying on Craigslist

N

nkaufman

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 25, 2012
77
0
Following is what I've gathered so far along with a couple of items where I need more information. Hope this helps.

  • First get seller to call you from his phone dial pad to your number, so both of you have each other’s number
  • Then go to Settings -> General -> About -> Network and check original Network the phone was for
  • Sellers do not like to give IMEI number over email/phone. So, get the IMEI number while meeting and go to following sites
  • http://swappa.com/esn
  • http://checkesnfree.com/
  • IMEI number with 01 then GSM, MEID with 99 - CDMA
  • If seller has box then make sure, S/N of phone matches on box and phone
  • Go to https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/ and make sure phone is not locked. If yes then proceed ahead with other tests till you reach the step where seller disables Find My Phone. After that, check this step again
  • Now look for water damage. So ports – charging, speakers etc should NOT have any pink/red spots
  • Check screen, and other physical features
  • Now if you have a sim that you can use on this phone then put it on.
  • Make calls, check speaker, headset, on/off button, volume button, mute button,
  • Check home button
  • Check charging from power outlet
  • Voice recording
  • Go on internet and see if everything works
  • If pubic wifi available, go on a network to make sure wifi is working
  • Take pictures – front and back cameras
  • Ask seller to disable Find my phone if not already done so
  • Ask seller to reset to factory settings
  • Ask seller to remove phone from iCloud
  • Ask seller to send you email or text from his cell confirming that seller has sold phone with IMEI number to you
  • Call Apple Support 1-800-275-2273 and set up phone in your name

Following are still some questions that I have
How to ensure it is carrier unlocked?
How to ensure that it is not under a contract with another carrier?

Are there other steps/questions that you'd like to add to the above list?
 
Last edited:
Read the last sentence of this pic:


b64b8912a7ec6dfdc05e3b48c83b5cb9.jpg
 
Ann P said:
Yup...you can go 10x over the checklist but nothing can prevent this.
Click to expand...

Take a video of the transaction. Works for fighting back against eBay scammers, works on craigslist scum. They are the worst of the worst here in NYC.

I do this because one seller walked away from me even after I tried to hand him the money when I asked to confirm the transaction on video.
 
themyst said:
Take a video of the transaction. Works for fighting back against eBay scammers, works on craigslist scum. They are the worst of the worst here in NYC.

I do this because one seller walked away from me even after I tried to hand him the money when I asked to confirm the transaction on video.
Click to expand...

I would feel extremely violated if someone whom I had just met on Craigslist wanted to take a video of me, but that's just my opinion.
 
After reading all the horror stories I'm not sure I'd want to buy a used iPhone from anyone except trusted friends and family members.
 
Don't get shot or otherwise injured is probably #1.

Don't deal with shady people...

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themyst said:
Take a video of the transaction. Works for fighting back against eBay scammers, works on craigslist scum. They are the worst of the worst here in NYC.

I do this because one seller walked away from me even after I tried to hand him the money when I asked to confirm the transaction on video.
Click to expand...

He gave you the item then wouldn't take the money? What's the point of that?
 
Meet at a police station. That's the only golden rule of CL. Even cops recommend doing just that when you buy or sell on CL.
 
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themyst said:
Take a video of the transaction. Works for fighting back against eBay scammers, works on craigslist scum. They are the worst of the worst here in NYC.

I do this because one seller walked away from me even after I tried to hand him the money when I asked to confirm the transaction on video.
Click to expand...


I would walk away too. That's creepy.
 
sillywabbit said:
Read the last sentence of this pic:
Click to expand...

C'mon Seriously!!

That happens to people who never looked at these forums before going to buy an iPhone that still is Locked.

Other than seller reporting it lost, in which case you have the text message from his phone to your phone confirming the IMEI number of the transacted phone.

But then if people do not choose to do their homework before buying phones from CL then they should not do it.
 
nkaufman said:
C'mon Seriously!!



That happens to people who never looked at these forums before going to buy an iPhone that still is Locked.



Other than seller reporting it lost, in which case you have the text message from his phone to your phone confirming the IMEI number of the transacted phone.



But then if people do not choose to do their homework before buying phones from CL then they should not do it.
Click to expand...


Burner number.
 
nkaufman said:
Other than seller reporting it lost, in which case you have the text message from his phone to your phone confirming the IMEI number of the transacted phone.
Click to expand...

What are you going to do with a text message from him confirming the imei?
Once he reports it stolen or lost there's nothing you can do about it.
You think you will show someone your text conversations and they will just unblock it?
 
Applejuiced said:
What are you going to do with a text message from him confirming the imei?
Once he reports it stolen or lost there's nothing you can do about it.
You think you will show someone your text conversations and they will just unblock it?
Click to expand...

A text message from seller confirming he sold the phone with IMEI number is much better than not having anything. At least with that information you can involve carrier etc.

Further, when one updates Apple's information as well then there are just too many things that are against the seller.
 
erzhik said:
Meet at a police station. That's the only golden rule of CL. Even cops recommend doing just that when you buy or sell on CL.
Click to expand...

In the past when I bought and sold quite a few iPhones on Craigslist, if I was skeptical of who I might be dealing with I would throw into the conversation somehow that I was a police officer(I'm not btw) just to gage their reaction. The times the conversation went dark after that I just figured the person was up to no good.
 
nkaufman said:
A text message from seller confirming he sold the phone with IMEI number is much better than not having anything. At least with that information you can involve carrier etc.

Further, when one updates Apple's information as well then there are just too many things that are against the seller.
Click to expand...

That will do nothing at all.
The carrier does not care about what scam went down on CL and it's not up to them to investigate or do anything about it over he said she said.
Showing them or Apple any text messages will do nothing on getting a blacklisted iPhone unblocked.
 
sillywabbit said:
Read the last sentence of this pic:


Image
Click to expand...

This reason alone is why no one should buy a brand new iPhone from Craigslist, only devices that are 20+ months old are worth buying because you know the genuine owner has upgraded.

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nkaufman said:
A text message from seller confirming he sold the phone with IMEI number is much better than not having anything. At least with that information you can involve carrier etc.

Further, when one updates Apple's information as well then there are just too many things that are against the seller.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but your checklist in todays market doesn't help anyone a whole lot if the person buying isn't wise.

Once device sold, person can very well go ahead and report it lost / stolen.


Lastly you think your safe? well there are enough fraudsters on craigslist selling devices purchase with fraudulent ID's and accounts, what do you suppose will protect buyers from that? Definitely no text messages or emails or even voice recordings. Don't even have to wonder when someone is selling a brand new / less than 1 month old phone for even a $1 off the retail price, that should be a #1 red flag.

I personally recommend not buying any device that is less than 1 year to 20 months old. Thanks to Apple, you can determine the purchase date. How do you find out if that person actually owned the device? Well you be the judge and at least bother to find out when the device was purchased, most genuine buyers will not be selling their iPhones for cheap on CL that too well before the launch of the next generation.


Few pointers for you:

35xxxx = iPhone 5S/5C Verizon = GSM / CDMA Compatible and Factory Unlocked.

35xxx = iPhone 6/6+ from all networks now

99xxxxx = iPhone 4S/5 from Sprint / Verizon = CDMA/GSM (Only Verizon's 5 can be used on other carriers)

013xxxx = iPhone 4/4S/5/5C/5S from AT&T / T-Mobile

To verify carrier unlock:

1) You can insert a different carrier SIM

2) purchase whats called a GSX IMEI Report -- It provides you with lots of info such as activation date, original carrier, lock / unlock status, warranty expiry date

To Verify contract status:

1) Have the seller call the carrier in front of you and request them to ask the representative about the contract / finance status. If person not willing to verify, walk away cause otherwise you might be regretting it later.
 
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