My first Swappa Experience

[mbhforum]

I had to unload my wife’s iPhone 6 since I bought her the X and I decided this time to avoid Ebay. I’ve heard great things about Swappa, so I decided to give it a shot. My experience has not been great.

The first time someone bought it and never paid me so I had to relist it. I listed it again and after 5 days had to reduce the price somewhat. I found a buyer who paid me immediately and here is where the trouble really starts..

My listing was for an Unlocked iPhone 6 (A1549) and apparently the buyer is a Sprint customer and the phone won’t work. I told the buyer they should have done their research and bought the wrong model. I am sure this will end up in a dispute, but why should I have to eat the $15 in shipping and then also take a chance that this user scratched/damaged the phone in any way? I am curious to see what Swappa does in this situation. Technically, my listing was correct, so I believe by their policies, they will side with me, but not sure.....

 

[AndrewR23]

I had to unload my wife’s iPhone 6 since I bought her the X and I decided this time to avoid Ebay. I’ve heard great things about Swappa, so I decided to give it a shot. My experience has not been great.

The first time someone bought it and never paid me so I had to relist it. I listed it again and after 5 days had to reduce the price somewhat. I found a buyer who paid me immediately and here is where the trouble really starts..

My listing was for an Unlocked iPhone 6 (A1549) and apparently the buyer is a Sprint customer and the phone won’t work. I told the buyer they should have done their research and bought the wrong model. I am sure this will end up in a dispute, but why should I have to eat the $15 in shipping and then also take a chance that this user scratched/damaged the phone in any way? I am curious to see what Swappa does in this situation. Technically, my listing was correct, so I believe by their policies, they will side with me, but not sure.....

Most likely paypal will side with the buyer and refund him. Then Swappa should compensate you back.

Happened with me once. Sold a Verizon iPhone 6 in 2015, buyer 60 days later said the phone was locked. To my knowledge, Verizon LTE cant be locked. But paypal still refunded him..

 

[mbhforum]

Swappa definitely should make it more clear in their listings that certain models will only work with certain carriers, which they do not. If you search for unlocked iPhones on their site, you have to do it by model number and the average person can easily buy the wrong model like this situation.

 

[Abs_p]

I have stopped selling used phones online where PayPal is involved (apart from here because PPG). People are idiots and/or scammers and will dispute a charge for no reason and the seller is SOL.

The core of selling on eBay and Swappa is the same. Swappa used to be great, I have sold ~15 phones there over past few years but my last 3 sales have been kinda wierd with me having to cancel the sale because buyers were making me skeptical or just sounded dumb. It's not Swappa's fault. It's just that people suck.

Nowadays I just sell on craigslist, at a police station. It's just so much easier and mention of the police stations weeds all idiots out.

 

[mbhforum]

I have stopped selling used phones online where PayPal is involved (apart from here because PPG). People are idiots and/or scammers and will dispute a charge for no reason and the seller is SOL.

The core of selling on eBay and Swappa is the same. Swappa used to be great, I have sold ~15 phones there over past few years but my last 3 sales have been kinda wierd with me having to cancel the sale because buyers were making me skeptical or just sounded dumb. It's not Swappa's fault. It's just that people suck.

Nowadays I just sell on craigslist, at a police station. It's just so much easier and mention of the police stations weeds all idiots out.

I hear you. My next phone, I am just going to deal with locals or Gazelle and be done with it. I am fed up with these situations.

 

[danilko1]

My last phone sale was on Craigslist. Sold for cash, in the parking lot of a major retailer. Took the guy and the phone inside, and asked the retailer to verify the bills, and they did. I was embarrassed, but I asked the guy for permission first and said, the bills are so new, I wanted to be certain they checked out. I told him, he is welcome to play with the phone before we parted. All went well. You have to be willing to risk embarrassment.

One of the reasons Gazelle and Amazon (used) exist, is for trust reasons. They are willing to buy your used phone, but in exchange they give you below street and validate the phone before selling it to the next person.

 

[noobinator]

You said your first try someone bought it but didn’t pay. How does this happen? You can’t buy it until you pay.

 

[mbhforum]

You said your first try someone bought it but didn’t pay. How does this happen? You can’t buy it until you pay.

Ok, “agreed to buy”

 

[noobinator]

Ok, “agreed to buy”

Oh ok. Well then you wouldn’t have to relist. You just keep waiting for someone to buy.

 

[44267547]

My opinion is not really related to the topic, but this is why I don't sell online anymore. Too many risk and hassles with selling online That don't really reward or benefit the seller taking account all the problems that can occur. I personally would rather sell in person with the cash in hand or keep the device until it's no longer usable.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I just sold my old iPhone on swappa and it went very smoothly. It was my first time using them also and I was skeptical because of the possibility of scammers. Communication between buyer and seller is important, maybe the buyer would be willing to pay for your shipping cost because in reality it was his mistake.

 

[Sunnyday2017]

My last phone sale was on Craigslist. Sold for cash, in the parking lot of a major retailer. Took the guy and the phone inside, and asked the retailer to verify the bills, and they did. I was embarrassed, but I asked the guy for permission first and said, the bills are so new, I wanted to be certain they checked out. I told him, he is welcome to play with the phone before we parted. All went well. You have to be willing to risk embarrassment.

One of the reasons Gazelle and Amazon (used) exist, is for trust reasons. They are willing to buy your used phone, but in exchange they give you below street and validate the phone before selling it to the next person.

I use only Gazelle / Best Buy / Game stop / Apple renew / itsworthmore.com = for peace of mind though, it’s less but worth it in my opinion for me.

 

[danilko1]

My opinion is not really related to the topic, but this is why I don't sell online anymore. Too many risk and hassles with selling online That don't really reward or benefit the seller taking account all the problems that can occur. I personally would rather sell in person with the cash in hand or keep the device until it's no longer usable.

iPhone 2g, gave to a co-worker
iPhone 3G, sold to wife's co-worker
iPhone 3Gs, sold to co-worker
iPhone 4, sold on eBay
The prior phones the 3G models sat in a drawer for some time.
iPhone 4s, sold to a co-worker
iPhone 5, sold (as described above, on craigslist)
I still have the rest of the phones, used by family members. The 5s, (grandma has it now)

 

[MsRandall]

I use eBay when they are running a promo - sold my 7 plus 3 weeks ago for $675 and the eBay fees was $45 but included a $40 promo code to use on eBay which I used to pick up accessories for my iPhone X

I’ve sold on Swappa about 12 times and purchased an AW on there as well without any issues but it’s definitely changing

Next year I will unload my X using the Verizon iPhone every year for the plus X version and I think I might be out of the iPhone yearly sales game for a minute. The X is sooooo close to my perfect phone - I think I might be able to have one more than 12 months

 

[Applejuiced]

How did someone buy it and not pay you? I didn't think that was possible unless the payment went through to win/buy an item.
I always sold my iPhones on swappa with quick and easy transactions each time.
I list my old iPhone 6 Plus as unlocked. Also stated it will work on any gsm carrier in the world and Verizon but not for Sprint.
Buyers don't know all details so you have to make it easier on them and easier for yourself.
If he can't use it then just take it back and relist it. It's only a $15 lesson so you'd be ok.
[doublepost=1511471124][/doublepost]

Ok, “agreed to buy”

That means nothing. The phone is still listed for sale until payment goes through.
So he didn't buy it and never paid like you claimed.
He made an offer and didn't follow through.

 

[phpmaven]

I had to unload my wife’s iPhone 6 since I bought her the X and I decided this time to avoid Ebay. I’ve heard great things about Swappa, so I decided to give it a shot. My experience has not been great.

The first time someone bought it and never paid me so I had to relist it. I listed it again and after 5 days had to reduce the price somewhat. I found a buyer who paid me immediately and here is where the trouble really starts..

My listing was for an Unlocked iPhone 6 (A1549) and apparently the buyer is a Sprint customer and the phone won’t work. I told the buyer they should have done their research and bought the wrong model. I am sure this will end up in a dispute, but why should I have to eat the $15 in shipping and then also take a chance that this user scratched/damaged the phone in any way? I am curious to see what Swappa does in this situation. Technically, my listing was correct, so I believe by their policies, they will side with me, but not sure.....

This doesn't make any sense. When you buy a phone on Swappa you pay with PayPal at the same time. Am I correct in assuming you meant that he just said in the the comments that he was going to buy but never did it?

 

[noobinator]

This doesn't make any sense. When you buy a phone on Swappa you pay with PayPal at the same time. Am I correct in assuming you meant that he just said in the the comments that he was going to buy but never did it?

But he had to relist it lol. Just another hate on swappa post.

 

[Challenger1986]

How did someone buy it and not pay you? I didn't think that was possible unless the payment went through to win/buy an item.
I always sold my iPhones on swappa with quick and easy transactions each time.
I list my old iPhone 6 Plus as unlocked. Also stated it will work on any gsm carrier in the world and Verizon but not for Sprint.
Buyers don't know all details so you have to make it easier on them and easier for yourself.
If he can't use it then just take it back and relist it. It's only a $15 lesson so you'd be ok.
[doublepost=1511471124][/doublepost]

That means nothing. The phone is still listed for sale until payment goes through.
So he didn't buy it and never paid like you claimed.
He made an offer and didn't follow through.

It's not possible. Swappa forces you to pay right when you click the button or the phone won't be taken down forsale. Seems the OP is confused himself.

I've sold and bought over 40 devices on SWAPPA and never one issue.

 

[mbhforum]

I’m not hating on Swappa. I find their customer service so far very superior to Ebay. My first listing, I receive notification that someone did not complete the PayPal transaction and if they don’t within 3 hours to let them know so they can relist the phone. See for yourself..

 

[Fredo C]

Recently bought a one month old 8 Plus for my first Swappa transaction. Phone was advertised as Mint condition however the screen had a very fine scratch and a light scuff on it. I let the seller know and we worked out a deal in which he refunded me enough that I was happy with what I paid. The two blemishes are not visible with a screen protector on.

I’d buy again from Swappa. I think you have a much better chance of not getting screwed then on Ebay or Craigs List

 

[Billymac19]

I had to unload my wife’s iPhone 6 since I bought her the X and I decided this time to avoid Ebay. I’ve heard great things about Swappa, so I decided to give it a shot. My experience has not been great.

The first time someone bought it and never paid me so I had to relist it. I listed it again and after 5 days had to reduce the price somewhat. I found a buyer who paid me immediately and here is where the trouble really starts..

My listing was for an Unlocked iPhone 6 (A1549) and apparently the buyer is a Sprint customer and the phone won’t work. I told the buyer they should have done their research and bought the wrong model. I am sure this will end up in a dispute, but why should I have to eat the $15 in shipping and then also take a chance that this user scratched/damaged the phone in any way? I am curious to see what Swappa does in this situation. Technically, my listing was correct, so I believe by their policies, they will side with me, but not sure.....

i sold my mint 7 plus when i got the x, total was like 600, guy got a good deal really with apple care plus and all, 2 days ago i get a paypal dispute email "We are writing to let you know one of your buyers opened a case for this transaction. The buyer stated that they did not authorize this purchase."

emailed swappa first to let them know, then sent screenshots to paypal of the transaction from swappa and USPS which i insured and paid for adult signature required..which shows was delivered and signed for by buyer...still waiting for resolution, so def will not sell on there again...people suck

 

[dazz87]

Not Swappa's fault...when you setup your phone on Swappa it will ask you questions about your phone and one of them is which carriers is it from or IF its unlock. Chances are buyer didn’t read and just purchase which is his fault.....but when you are dealing with PayPal they will always backup the buyer.

 

[Challenger1986]

Got to love how people blame swappa for people issues.

Swappa is a much better site than EBAY when selling phones. I have been screwed on almost ever item I have sold lately on Ebay. So I stopped using eBay to sell items 1 year ago.

 

[DotCom2]

My last phone sale was on Craigslist. Sold for cash, in the parking lot of a major retailer. Took the guy and the phone inside, and asked the retailer to verify the bills, and they did. I was embarrassed, but I asked the guy for permission first and said, the bills are so new, I wanted to be certain they checked out. I told him, he is welcome to play with the phone before we parted. All went well. You have to be willing to risk embarrassment.

One of the reasons Gazelle and Amazon (used) exist, is for trust reasons. They are willing to buy your used phone, but in exchange they give you below street and validate the phone before selling it to the next person.

I always use a bank lobby for Craigslist. Bank has great security cams and can verify all bills.

 

[Applejuiced]

I always use a bank lobby for Craigslist. Bank has great security cams and can verify all bills.

I'd rather go to a police station.
My local PD has an online sales designated area so people can meet and exchange goods and money safely.
If someone plans to pull a scam or rob you 99% chances are he won't try to do that in the middle of the police with plenty of officers around