iPhone XS Max Craigslist Advice?

[Ferc Kast]

Hey, I just saw a price that looks too good to be true for an XS Max on my local Craigslist this morning. ($500 for a 256GB) What should I find out before a final commitment? Obviously, I want to make sure if it’s unlocked since I’m on Cricket Wireless. But, any questions that might make sure it’s not fishy / a scam?

Sorry if this is in the wrong section on the forum.

 

[Banglazed]

Always check for iCloud status. If it is activated, make sure iCloud has been signed out. Make the seller Erase All Content and Settings before buying. If the seller can’t sign out, don’t buy. If it is not activated, make an attempt to activate to see if there is an iCloud Lock screen. You can ask the seller or get the IMEI to verify with carriers and iCloud status before meeting.

 

[DevinNj]

Also, and I cannot stress this enough, if you agree to meet, meet up in a safe location. Like in front of the local police station. to many stories about meetings were they'll grab your cash/phone and take off, if not something worse.

 

[noobinator]

My advice is don't do it unless you want a device that may work for a brief time before it gets reported lost/stolen etc. Or worse, you would get mugged.

 

[now i see it]

Don't do it. Chances are high it's a setup (for something bad happening to you).

And that's coming from someone whose sold tons of stuff on Craigslist (and 3 cars). Craigslist is just way too sketchy for iPhones. Cars OK. Old furniture OK. Old junk OK. But not iPhones.

 

[Beerstalker]

When I bought my wife's used iPhone 8 I met the seller at the store their cellular service was thru (US Cellular). That way not only was I meeting in a public place with other people around, cameras, etc, I was also able to have the US Cellular employee check the status of the phone to make sure it was unlocked, paid off, etc. That way I knew it wouldn't get blacklisted.

Then I had the seller Erase All Content and Settings like mentioned above. That forces them to sign out of iCloud on the device.

After that you should be good to go.

 

[JPack]

It'll be unlocked. It might even be paid off. But it won't be reported as stolen and blacklisted until two weeks after you pay for the iPhone.

 

[kargurin]

When I bought my wife's used iPhone 8 I met the seller at the store their cellular service was thru (US Cellular). That way not only was I meeting in a public place with other people around, cameras, etc, I was also able to have the US Cellular employee check the status of the phone to make sure it was unlocked, paid off, etc. That way I knew it wouldn't get blacklisted.

Then I had the seller Erase All Content and Settings like mentioned above. That forces them to sign out of iCloud on the device.

After that you should be good to go.

This. That is exactly what I did but at a T Mobile store.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I have sold over 10 iPhone on Craig's List and never had a single problem.

Have always met them at a Starbucks to complete the purchase.

Anything is better than going through eBay.

 

[Ashton Cofer]

I have sold over 10 iPhone on Craig's List and never had a single problem.

Have always met them at a Starbucks to complete the purchase.

Anything is better than going through eBay.

I can attest to the ebay thing. My last ebay selling experience was when I sold my iPhone 6, only to have the buyer return it claiming that it was broken. When I received the return it turned out that the buyer had replaced the battery, screen, and touch ID with defective, non OEM ones, rendering the phone useless.

It took me over a month and hours of my time to dispute the issue with ebay, only for ebay to finally refund me half of what I sold the phone for. The buyer received no repercussions. I'm never selling on ebay again.

 

[phpmaven]

Swappa FTW! I would never do Craigslist again. Too much of a hassle.

 

[44267547]

Personally, I avoid Craigslist, if you’re trying to find more ‘legit’ deals on iPhones, see if you have a local selling group that’s more specific like Facebook or something of that nature. Usually some will have a profile attached or at least some type of feedback from other buyers.

 

[ghanwani]

I usually sell my phones on craigslist and they are in normal working order when I do. That said, I do tend to price it at or slightly below the prevailing rates for phone. If the phone is super cheap it could be a scam.

Most recently I posted my old laptop on craigslist, but since it didn't sell within a few days, I chose to do an Apple trade in.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I can attest to the ebay thing. My last ebay selling experience was when I sold my iPhone 6, only to have the buyer return it claiming that it was broken. When I received the return it turned out that the buyer had replaced the battery, screen, and touch ID with defective, non OEM ones, rendering the phone useless.

It took me over a month and hours of my time to dispute the issue with ebay, only for ebay to finally refund me half of what I sold the phone for. The buyer received no repercussions. I'm never selling on ebay again.

Yep, when it comes to thieves, eBay has them beat on Apple products. There are people making a living stealing on eBay. I seldom buy and never sell on eBay anymore.

I will take Craig’s List any day.

 

[mlody]

Craigslist is fine for older iPhones up to certain $$$ point. I would never sell 1-2 years old iPhone or buy one on Craigslist, but I have no problem selling 4+ old iPhones or other older equipment. My daughter's 6S will go on craigslist in November. My point is, anything of a higher market value asks for trouble on craigslist in my opinion. $100-200 iPhones are far lesser risks but of course I still exercise full caution when dealing.
In the past I sold few AppleTVs, some older iPhones, mac mini, 2010 imac. I also bought 2012 imac a year ago. I found those all low risks deals. I would had never consider buying $1500 mac even if that meant $1000 off retail. Same goes with $500 iPhone that retails for $1000. the odd of something going bad are too high with such deals.