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Tips on selling iphone 4 on....ebay?

U

unrealmatt3

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 4, 2011
9
0
I saw not to long ago about people selling their iphone on ebay and they ran into some problems with the buyer saying they just got an empty package and the seller was out his cash and the phone, at least that is what I read last.

To my point I want to sell my iphone 4 and I have used ebay before but hearing all theses scams is starting to scare me. I was hoping to get some advice as to how to protect myself I have the phone wiped and am going to take the sim card out but I was thinking about locking the phone with a password not the simple lock. I will inform the person who buys the iphone that once they get the phone to email me to receive the password. Now I know this is not full proof as if they are smart or a quick Google search they can get round this but I just want to protect myself.....

Any suggestions would be great.
 
That method won't protect you at all.

The best way to protect yourself is to sell smartly. This includes using signature conformation to fall under paypal seller protection and making the exclusion options as restrictive as possible such as disallowing buyers bidding on more than 1 item for feedback below 5 and excluding questionable countries (Russia, South America, Africa and Southeast Asia) if selling internationally.

Best you can do is hope you get a good buyer and go from there. I've ebayed three iPhones with no issues (including two to APO/FPO buyers). Don't be discouraged from ebay problem threads. The vast majority of us encounter no problems selling on ebay.
 
There is NO way to protect yourself as a seller on eBay if the buyer is a smart enough scammer.

Period. It's a gamble you must be willing to take, and even though the odds are in your favor, it's the absolute truth.

All a buyer has to do is claim he received a box of rocks and then the burden falls on YOU to prove they didn't. Photograph packaging the phone? What if you just took it out afterwards and put rocks in?

eBay became so terrified of buyers getting scammed and the potential damage it could cause that they changed their system to one that favors the buyer at ALL costs.

You need to rely on finding a "good" buyer. Good luck with that. eBay couldn't care less if you get unlucky, and they will side with the buyer 99% of the time. Unfortunately smart scammers don't fall into the 1% as they know what to claim and how to claim it (and you will NEVER know who they are thanks to the moronic "sellers can't leave negative feedback" rule stupidity)

Sell the phone to a reseller. Sell it in person. Sell it at work. Keep it. Gamble it on eBay.

Those are the true options. eBay isn't a sales site anymore for little garage sellers. It's a resale monster, retail option, scammer paradise where every sale the little guy makes is a complete risk of loss.

If you're willing to take that risk fine, but don't kid yourself thinking you can protect yourself from the scammers when eBay WANTS to protect them willingly. If it happens to you you'll understand. If it hasn't happened to you yet good for you. It will if you keep selling.

I used to love eBay. Not any more. 1000+ feedback later I have retired to only buying.

It's been worth it to me, ymmv.
 
itjw said:
There is NO way to protect yourself as a seller on eBay if the buyer is a smart enough scammer
Click to expand...

Total bollocks!

Take a video of the phones condition and that it functions 100%. Do internet, video, sound, all buttons ect ect. Don't box it up until you're at the post. Take a video of you boxing the phone (of course after getting a shot of the IMEI to verify it's the same phone) but don't ever stop the video OR take the picture off the phone/box. When it's taped and secure in the box make a video of yourself dropping it in the bin/handing it to the mail person again without ever taking the camera off the now boxed iPhone. You can do this yourself but of course it's easier with someone filming you. Mail to PP verified address, insured for at least $100 more than was paid(if possible) and either use ebay shipping to get the free delivery confirmation OR if it's insured for more than $400 I believe, USPS forces a signature on delivery without it costing you a dime. It may be more than $400 but I know they force it because I sent my bro a 4s last year insured for $600 and no one was home. He had to go to the depot and they told him the above info.... Just can't remember the cut of for the amount that forces it.

Follow these direction and there is NO WAY even the smartest scammer can win a dispute with ebay, none. I have over 1300 feedback and have NEVER lost an ebay dispute, and have had at least 6 because I buy and sell a lot of high dollar items. (iPhones, paintball, ect ect). Recently sold on ebay without issue 16g i4 $400, 32g i4 $245, 32g i4 just sold yesterday for $295, i5 $1200 and another i5 is currently near $100 with a few days to go and several watchers. This is all withing the last 3 weeks and have had NO issues. Oh, the best part is to NOT tell them you're taking these precautions because it's SOOOOOOO satisfying sending e-bay all the proof you have and their dispute being denied...... THEN you get to send them communication LAUGHING at their sorry butts. I love sticking it to spammers!

I do agree with you itjw, I hate that sellers can't give neg feedback. I recently had 2 NPB and after I got my fee back I still posted on their fb. You have to use the app because comp e-bay won't allow you to leave fb when the fee is given back. I know it gave them pos feedback but I wrote that they didn't pay and they shouldn't do business with them.
 
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Restricting the the US only, and to buyers with a certain amount of positive feedback will help. I sold my iPhone 4 16GB on eBay for $230 a couple of weeks ago. The seller was really nice and I didn't have any issues.
 
Rocko1 said:
Craigslist cash. Bring counterfeit pen to test bills. Meet at Starbucks, or brightly lit area with security cameras.
Click to expand...

yep! i have a pen just for craigslist..cost $4. has the U.V. light too. i usually meet inside target/walmart.
 
itjw said:
There is NO way to protect yourself as a seller on eBay if the buyer is a smart enough scammer.

Period. It's a gamble you must be willing to take, and even though the odds are in your favor, it's the absolute truth.

All a buyer has to do is claim he received a box of rocks and then the burden falls on YOU to prove they didn't. Photograph packaging the phone? What if you just took it out afterwards and put rocks in?

eBay became so terrified of buyers getting scammed and the potential damage it could cause that they changed their system to one that favors the buyer at ALL costs.

You need to rely on finding a "good" buyer. Good luck with that. eBay couldn't care less if you get unlucky, and they will side with the buyer 99% of the time. Unfortunately smart scammers don't fall into the 1% as they know what to claim and how to claim it (and you will NEVER know who they are thanks to the moronic "sellers can't leave negative feedback" rule stupidity)

Sell the phone to a reseller. Sell it in person. Sell it at work. Keep it. Gamble it on eBay.

Those are the true options. eBay isn't a sales site anymore for little garage sellers. It's a resale monster, retail option, scammer paradise where every sale the little guy makes is a complete risk of loss.

If you're willing to take that risk fine, but don't kid yourself thinking you can protect yourself from the scammers when eBay WANTS to protect them willingly. If it happens to you you'll understand. If it hasn't happened to you yet good for you. It will if you keep selling.

I used to love eBay. Not any more. 1000+ feedback later I have retired to only buying.

It's been worth it to me, ymmv.
Click to expand...

It isn't as bleak as you make it sound. Smart sellers have managed to protect themselves from scammers. One good example (which was reported in a thread here) is a forum member who sold an iPhone in mint condition, got served with a Significantly Not As Described claim but was returned a completely different iPhone all dirty and scratched up. He reported it to paypal with photographic evidence of both iPhones and got refunded the sale price. So, yes, paypal seller protection does work.
 
InstantSale is the safest.

I sold my iPhone4S (16g) on the InstantSale on eBay. It's probably the safest way to make money off your cellphone. The offers are reasonable and you don't have to worry about any shady buyer. The offer was $240 for my 4S. The offers can go up or down daily, I just missed it when they offered $265 right before the iPhone5 was released. My iPhone4S was in mint condition, so they increased the offer to $245. I was extremely pleased, knowing I paid only $199 for it! Upon my approval, the money was sent directly to my PayPal account...made me one happy seller! :D
 
jarvijarv said:
I sold my iPhone4S (16g) on the InstantSale on eBay. It's probably the safest way to make money off your cellphone. The offers are reasonable and you don't have to worry about any shady buyer. The offer was $240 for my 4S. The offers can go up or down daily, I just missed it when they offered $265 right before the iPhone5 was released. My iPhone4S was in mint condition, so they increased the offer to $245. I was extremely pleased, knowing I paid only $199 for it! Upon my approval, the money was sent directly to my PayPal account...made me one happy seller! :D
Click to expand...

Its safe but its kinda low.
You can get more than $245 for a mint condition 4S.
 
Thanks guys for all the great feedback I have had my share of craigslist stories... Ebay was a place that used to make it easy for me to sell and buy things with out worry. I think I might try and find someone at work to buy it and if all else fails ill try ebay and make sure to document every little detail....
 
AFDoc said:
Total bollocks!

Take a video of the phones condition and that it functions 100%. Do internet, video, sound, all buttons ect ect. Don't box it up until you're at the post. Take a video of you boxing the phone (of course after getting a shot of the IMEI to verify it's the same phone) but don't ever stop the video OR take the picture off the phone/box. When it's taped and secure in the box make a video of yourself dropping it in the bin/handing it to the mail person again without ever taking the camera off the now boxed iPhone. You can do this yourself but of course it's easier with someone filming you. Mail to PP verified address, insured for at least $100 more than was paid(if possible) and either use ebay shipping to get the free delivery confirmation OR if it's insured for more than $400 I believe, USPS forces a signature on delivery without it costing you a dime. It may be more than $400 but I know they force it because I sent my bro a 4s last year insured for $600 and no one was home. He had to go to the depot and they told him the above info.... Just can't remember the cut of for the amount that forces it.

Follow these direction and there is NO WAY even the smartest scammer can win a dispute with ebay, none. I have over 1300 feedback and have NEVER lost an ebay dispute, and have had at least 6 because I buy and sell a lot of high dollar items. (iPhones, paintball, ect ect). Recently sold on ebay without issue 16g i4 $400, 32g i4 $245, 32g i4 just sold yesterday for $295, i5 $1200 and another i5 is currently near $100 with a few days to go and several watchers. This is all withing the last 3 weeks and have had NO issues. Oh, the best part is to NOT tell them you're taking these precautions because it's SOOOOOOO satisfying sending e-bay all the proof you have and their dispute being denied...... THEN you get to send them communication LAUGHING at their sorry butts. I love sticking it to spammers!

I do agree with you itjw, I hate that sellers can't give neg feedback. I recently had 2 NPB and after I got my fee back I still posted on their fb. You have to use the app because comp e-bay won't allow you to leave fb when the fee is given back. I know it gave them pos feedback but I wrote that they didn't pay and they shouldn't do business with them.
Click to expand...

Against the rules:
It's called a negative positive feedback and eBay can/will quickly edit/remove that feedback for the buyer and potentially give the seller a "time out" for doing so.
 
braddick said:
Against the rules:
It's called a negative positive feedback and eBay can/will quickly edit/remove that feedback for the buyer and potentially give the seller a "time out" for doing so.
Click to expand...

So be it. IF e-bay feels the need to smack me on the hand after 1355+ feedbacks with some auctions going up to 1700 over an asshat with 0 feedback and another asshat with 4 feedback that's their choice.
 
^
I totally agree. It is one sided.

One advantage I have is living in a sleepy little coastal community where everyone knows everyone else.
I package expensive items up via USPS Priority with the local Postmaster watching.
(I write the buyer and let them know- telling them it's for their protection when in reality it is for mine.)

I've yet to have a claim of non-delivery and/or wrong item.
Certainly the sophisticated thief will continue to thrive on eBay as a buyer, it's the opportunists that can be prevented from succeeding.
 
AFDoc said:
Total bollocks!

Take a video of the phones condition and that it functions 100%. Do internet, video, sound, all buttons ect ect. Don't box it up until you're at the post. Take a video of you boxing the phone (of course after getting a shot of the IMEI to verify it's the same phone) but don't ever stop the video OR take the picture off the phone/box. When it's taped and secure in the box make a video of yourself dropping it in the bin/handing it to the mail person again without ever taking the camera off the now boxed iPhone. You can do this yourself but of course it's easier with someone filming you. Mail to PP verified address, insured for at least $100 more than was paid(if possible) and either use ebay shipping to get the free delivery confirmation OR if it's insured for more than $400 I believe, USPS forces a signature on delivery without it costing you a dime. It may be more than $400 but I know they force it because I sent my bro a 4s last year insured for $600 and no one was home. He had to go to the depot and they told him the above info.... Just can't remember the cut of for the amount that forces it.

Follow these direction and there is NO WAY even the smartest scammer can win a dispute with ebay, none. I have over 1300 feedback and have NEVER lost an ebay dispute, and have had at least 6 because I buy and sell a lot of high dollar items. (iPhones, paintball, ect ect). Recently sold on ebay without issue 16g i4 $400, 32g i4 $245, 32g i4 just sold yesterday for $295, i5 $1200 and another i5 is currently near $100 with a few days to go and several watchers. This is all withing the last 3 weeks and have had NO issues. Oh, the best part is to NOT tell them you're taking these precautions because it's SOOOOOOO satisfying sending e-bay all the proof you have and their dispute being denied...... THEN you get to send them communication LAUGHING at their sorry butts. I love sticking it to spammers!

I do agree with you itjw, I hate that sellers can't give neg feedback. I recently had 2 NPB and after I got my fee back I still posted on their fb. You have to use the app because comp e-bay won't allow you to leave fb when the fee is given back. I know it gave them pos feedback but I wrote that they didn't pay and they shouldn't do business with them.
Click to expand...

Even if you did EVERYTHING you say (and have the postman NOTARIZE a statement saying you did) the buyer could STILL say that he received a box of rocks and you will have NO way to prove that somewhere along the way it didn't happen AFTER you finished videotaping.

Because of eBay's complete lack of seller protections, you will get screwed EVENTUALLY.

It is not "total Bullocks". What is total BS is believing it will never happen to you. The scammers know the rules, and they know what you CAN'T prove. They also know that eBay and PayPal are on THEIR side. Even if you win 99 out of 100, there will be ONE legitimate case you WILL lose because of the unbelievable bias.

Truth

It only takes ONE good scammer for you to see that you are absolutely wrong. You may be able to win MOST of your cases, but you cannot win them ALL (not with the current system). Sorry.
 
itjw said:
Even if you did EVERYTHING you say (and have the postman NOTARIZE a statement saying you did) the buyer could STILL say that he received a box of rocks and you will have NO way to prove that somewhere along the way it didn't happen AFTER you finished videotaping.

Because of eBay's complete lack of seller protections, you will get screwed EVENTUALLY.

It is not "total Bullocks". What is total BS is believing it will never happen to you. The scammers know the rules, and they know what you CAN'T prove. They also know that eBay and PayPal are on THEIR side. Even if you win 99 out of 100, there will be ONE legitimate case you WILL lose because of the unbelievable bias.

Truth
Click to expand...
Well said. Why spend hours preparing not to get screwed when you can sell it on craigslist easily for cash?
 
AFDoc said:
So be it. IF e-bay feels the need to smack me on the hand after 1355+ feedbacks with some auctions going up to 1700 over an asshat with 0 feedback and another asshat with 4 feedback that's their choice.
Click to expand...

Oh they will. I had more feedback then you when I retired from selling. They don't care one BIT, even if you are a "power seller" with 100% positive feedback.

The ONLY thing they care about is protecting the buyer. Period.

You have gotten lucky so far. It won't continue forever, but some people have to learn the hard way.

I used to chuckle when I would send stuff recipient signature required certified mail, video'd it getting put in the drop box, and confirmed delivery (even got left positive feedback buy the scammer lol). Even with all that "proof" it doesn't matter when they initiate a credit card chargeback.

PayPal folds like a cheap suit. They don't care.

I'm glad it hasn't happened to you yet.
 
You are better off using Craigslist. It's local, cash only and the buyer can inspect the device before purchase so both parties know the device was working just fine at the time of the transaction. Do not meet them at your house, meet at a neutral spot like a coffee shop or fast food place. I've used craigslist a few time and no problems other than the buyer wanting to negotiate the price. If you are firm on your price be sure to state that in the listing.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
It isn't as bleak as you make it sound. Smart sellers have managed to protect themselves from scammers. One good example (which was reported in a thread here) is a forum member who sold an iPhone in mint condition, got served with a Significantly Not As Described claim but was returned a completely different iPhone all dirty and scratched up. He reported it to paypal with photographic evidence of both iPhones and got refunded the sale price. So, yes, paypal seller protection does work.
Click to expand...

And for every ONE time that we hear about seller protection "working" (after they went through weeks without their funds and significant brain damage... because they "freeze" the funds even before you are found guilty) we hear 10 times the number of horror stories.

Look, I guess once in a blue moon it DOES work, but it is CERTAINLY not the norm. They look out for the buyers. They make the rules for the buyers. They side (the vast majority of the time) with the buyers.

Do it enough, you'll get screwed.
 
Think of it this way, ebay works much like credit card companies. They protect both the buyers and sellers in case of an unresolved dispute (assuming that both of them follow the guidelines and provide evidence supporting their cases), and ebay takes the loss and reimburses both of them. That's why we have "ebay buyer protection" and "paypal seller protection."

And just like credit card companies, they have fraud detection in place to drop repeat scammers. Smart scammers basically have a one shot at it before they're locked out.

I'd guess they've designed their system so that 95% of the transactions are valid and you might run into a bad luck 5% of the time. I bet it's no worse than Craigslist in the real world, as we've heard plenty of horror stories involving Craigslist here.

----------
Rocko1 said:
Can you still require only money orders when selling?
Click to expand...

Money orders can be faked and you won't fall under paypal seller protection.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
Think of it this way, ebay works much like credit card companies. They protect both the buyers and sellers in case of an unresolved dispute (assuming that both of them follow the guidelines and provide evidence supporting their cases), and ebay takes the loss and reimburses both of them. That's why we have "ebay buyer protection" and "paypal seller protection."

And just like credit card companies, they have fraud detection in place to drop repeat scammers. Smart scammers basically have a one shot at it before they're locked out.

I'd guess they've designed their system so that 95% of the transactions are valid and you might run into a bad luck 5% of the time. I bet it's no worse than Craigslist in the real world, as we've heard plenty of horror stories involving Craigslist here.

.
Click to expand...


Think of it this way: If you get scammed on eBay you not only lose your item, but any chance of recourse AND lose the ability to warn anyone about it through negative feedback.

No doubt Craigslist has it's dangers, but if you sell something for cash in person, the odds of them filing a "not as described" report are pretty slim...

And no, eBay protection is NOTHING like credit card protection. Seller protection on eBay and PayPal is LOADED with loopholes and requirements that, if not met, invalidate any and all other "evidence". Don't believe me? I lost a case where I had a PHYSICAL signed certified mail reciept for the item, but because it was only available online for 60 days (the rule is it has to be viewable to PayPal online), even though I still had it in hand, it was worthless. That was just ONE instance (it took three like that one before I retired from selling on the bay...).

Look, it's obvious those among us who haven't had a bad experience on eBay yet. You must be one of them. I'm happy for you, but I know better. My son hasn't fallen off his bike yet. I'm sure he thinks it's the safest thing in the world.

My whole point was, if you aren't willing to gamble, don't do it. Just because it hasn't happened to you YET, doesn't mean the game isn't stacked HEAVILY against you as a seller on eBay. It is. It is well documented. It is not CLOSE to "fair".

Sure, you could have something bad happen with ANY kind of transaction. That doesn't make eBay inherently safe just because you could get scammed somewhere else though...

It's not the safest way to go by a LONG shot. Google the horror stories. It happens a LOT with iPhones on eBay.
 
One more option, in a sea of plenty

There are obviously lots of alternatives to ebay. I have sold lots of stuff through Amazon and haven't had any problems. I believe they take a little more off the top than ebay, but oh well. They also offer Fullfilled By Amazon, which requires you to send the item to them, they warehouse it and send it when it sells. I haven't used it yet, but it seems someone is less likely to succeed in convincing Amazon that they sent the buyer an empty package. Of course, FBA comes with more fees, so....food for thought.
 
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