Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

What are the chances that this is a craigslist scam?

J

Jewstin

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 25, 2011
21
0
I want to buy an iphone 4 but not for the full price. I found a craigslist ad and the person told me he also has the receipt. He also gave me the serial to check the warranty.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/ele/2574269234.html

What are the chances that this is a scam and the seller will report this stolen after I buy it? Thanks.


Edit: If I do buy this should I take the receipt? He was hesitant when I asked for receipt and stated that all his information was on it.
 
No way to know anything for sure in advance, but the more you can find out about the person advance, the safer you should be... with the receipt being a step in the right direction.
 
Jewstin said:
I want to buy an iphone 4 but not for the full price. I found a craigslist ad and the person told me he also has the receipt. He also gave me the serial to check the warranty.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/ele/2574269234.html

What are the chances that this is a scam and the seller will report this stolen after I buy it? Thanks.


Edit: If I do buy this should I take the receipt? He was hesitant when I asked for receipt and stated that all his information was on it.
Click to expand...

You should ask to at least see(view in person) the receipt if he doesn't want to give it. If he can't produce the receipt, that's the first caution sign since he's lied about it. If it's a CDMA phone, I would be wary cause it could be stolen and/or over due payments. GSM is less worry, pop in a sim and go.
 
LIVEFRMNYC said:
You should ask to at least see(view in person) the receipt if he doesn't want to give it. If he can't produce the receipt, that's the first caution sign since he's lied about it. If it's a CDMA phone, I would be wary. GSM is less worry.
Click to expand...

What do you mean by CDMA and GSM? This is my first phone :p
 
Jewstin said:
What do you mean by CDMA and GSM? This is my first phone :p
Click to expand...

Does it require a SIM card(GSM), or does it require the carrier to activate. If it's a CDMA and has a bad ESN, your screwed.

You should really do some research before purchase. What carrier will you be with? GSM or CDMA? And look up what frequencies the carrier uses. etc:

If it's a GSM phone, the seller can report it stolen a billion times and the phone would still be good.
 
LIVEFRMNYC said:
You should ask to at least see(view in person) the receipt if he doesn't want to give it. If he can't produce the receipt, that's the first caution sign since he's lied about it. If it's a CDMA phone, I would be wary cause it could be stolen and/or over due payments. GSM is less worry, pop in a sim and go.
Click to expand...

well, if you looked at the ad, you would see that it's a Canadian ad. no CDMA iPhone's in Canada.

also, it's a Bell locked iPhone (GSM)
 
acfusion29 said:
well, if you looked at the ad, you would see that it's a Canadian ad. no CDMA iPhone's in Canada.

also, it's a Bell locked iPhone (GSM)
Click to expand...

Ah, so because of GSM, buying iphones via craigslist/ebay in Canada is safer than in US I would assume.
 
Jewstin said:
Ah, so because of GSM, buying iphones via craigslist/ebay in Canada is safer than in US I would assume.
Click to expand...

Here in the US we have carriers that use CDMA and others that use GSM. Like Verizon uses CDMA(no sim) & ATT uses GSM(sim card).

Only thing you have to worry about is if you using another carrier besides Bell. Will you be able to get it unlocked? I don't know if carriers in Canada do a factory unlock. If not, the latest FW update could make it difficult if your not already with Bell.
 
LIVEFRMNYC said:
Here in the US we have carriers that use CDMA and others that use GSM. Like Verizon uses CDMA(no sim) & ATT uses GSM(sim card).

Only thing you have to worry about is if you using another carrier besides Bell. Will you be able to get it unlocked? I don't know if carriers in Canada do a factory unlock. If not, the latest FW update could make it difficult if your not already with Bell.
Click to expand...

I'm using bell so I should be fine :p
 
Scam or maybe just a typo. The back of the phone as the # GB printed on it. You can also power it on and check the space. I would definitely look it over carefully before handing over all your cash.
 
Jewstin said:
INTERESTING...

I did some research on the serial number he gave me:
80125xxxA4S

Turns out the S at the end means 16GB, in his ad he says 32GB... Scam?

Unless the information on this website is false:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/how-to-decode-your-iphone-serial-number/7604
Click to expand...


Good catch. Saved yourself time, instead of meeting the person and finding out on the spot. Mines also ends with a "S" and it's a 16GB. You should let him know what you found, just to see what the next lie he will come with. lol
 
PBF said:
What are the chances that we'll see the sun tomorrow?
Click to expand...

Both events are independent of each other and they should not be compared based on relative data available.

Data has show the Sun has enough hydrogen for at least a million years but common perception has humans wary of shopping online especially with refurbished materials.
 
hayduke said:
Scam or maybe just a typo. The back of the phone as the # GB printed on it. You can also power it on and check the space. I would definitely look it over carefully before handing over all your cash.
Click to expand...

I don't believe the black of the iPhone 4 has the capacity listed on the back anymore. I wouldn't buy the phone if it is jailbroken, OP.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back