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What precautions should I take when buying a used iPhone from craigslist?

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Original poster
Feb 24, 2006
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Hey all,

I'm thinking of buying a used iPhone from craigslist to use as an extra while traveling and such. Besides checking out if the iPhone actually works, what other precautions should I take when buying a used iPhone from a person?

Is there any way to look up if the phone has been reported stolen (for example, could I ask them to provide the serial number and somehow check that in a database somewhere)?

I just don't want to buy a used iPhone only to find it's been remotely locked a day later because it's been stolen.
 
It is a crap shoot. It could be stolen and not reported yet or locked to a carrier who is no longer getting paid and the carrier blacklists it. There is and always will be some risk.
 
After reading a lot of threads regarding buying off craigslist, it seems most of had decent transactions. However, I would definitely make sure the iPhone is functional and if you can, get the individual's information who is selling the iPhone to you, it would help if there were any issues or problems. Any honest buyer would be willing to offer your information to you, name, phone number, any other contact information.

Also, get a Bill of sale. At least you would have some sort of record of the iPhone being purchased if something were to go wrong.
 
I would also suggest meeting at a public place, particularly the wireless provider that you plan to use the phone on. That way while you're there, you can test the phone to ensure that it works on the network. That doesn't guarantee that they seller won't attempt to report the phone as lost after the transaction is complete though. So like others mentioned, there is always some sort of risk involved.

I would also suggest a place like Swappa. Because even if you do get burned, you should still be covered paying via PayPal.
 
Meet in public place. Police department lobby is good. If you have your CPL carry your weapon on you.

Is anyone you know, friend,relative, co-worker selling their iPhone. If you know the person, that lowers risk of a shady deal by large margin.
 
Last edited:
loft3 said:
Hey all,

I'm thinking of buying a used iPhone from craigslist to use as an extra while traveling and such. Besides checking out if the iPhone actually works, what other precautions should I take when buying a used iPhone from a person?

Is there any way to look up if the phone has been reported stolen (for example, could I ask them to provide the serial number and somehow check that in a database somewhere)?

I just don't want to buy a used iPhone only to find it's been remotely locked a day later because it's been stolen.
Click to expand...

Telll the seller you want to meet him at a Apple Store and have the phone fully tested by the Genius Bar and then go to the carrier store and have them check the esn and make sure that the phone is payed off.
 
Beenblacklisted said:
why risk it , just buy from swappa or gazelle, remember if its to good to be true , then it probably is!
Click to expand...

thats not a 100% either. the imei could check out fine but you wont know till you've paid and got it if its still under at&t next to actually check out the imei number yourself. swappa allows the seller not to tell the buyer if the imei is still under a payment plan. all they check is if its not blacklisted at the moment.
[doublepost=1472514803][/doublepost]make sure they paid full price for it and have them bring the receipt so you can check out the imei with the one on the phone compared to the one on the receipt.
 
I've sold many iPhones on craigslist. I typically meet the buyer at an AT&T or Verizon store. They can check out the phone and then use one of the devices in the store to access the Activation Locked website to check the IMEI/Serial number.

So meet at a public place, make sure you can access Apple's activation lock check website and also run the IMEI number on their warranty check website just to make sure its legit.
 
Kevlar

Seriously though. Have tabs for all the necessary sites ready. Apple iCloud lock page. Ting's BYOD to check IMEI. Swappas checker. A pair of GSM SIM.
 
comptr said:
Telll the seller you want to meet him at a Apple Store and have the phone fully tested by the Genius Bar and then go to the carrier store and have them check the esn and make sure that the phone is payed off.
Click to expand...

Although you make great points. This is a bit extreme that may scare the buyer off to be honest. More or less, it's a lot of work to drive to various retailers, meet with a stranger, all to prove the iPhone is valid, which in some cases, an Apple Store/Cellular carrier can be hours away for some. Most who purchase an iPhone will use their self intuition if the sale is legitimate and of course, ensure the iPhone is completely operable from all aspects.

I would also suggest obtaining the seller's information and contact information, which should not be an issue of the seller has a comfort level and is Honest. Especially if the iPhone does have an issue, the buyer can reach out to the seller for any advice/questions.

A bill of sale should be completed indicating the terms and conditions of the sale.
 
Last edited:
comptr said:
Telll the seller you want to meet him at a Apple Store and have the phone fully tested by the Genius Bar and then go to the carrier store and have them check the esn and make sure that the phone is payed off.
Click to expand...
I sell all the time on CL and would never do this as a seller. I can find someone else that won't waste my time. Just sayin.

Talk to the seller 5 mins on the phone. 90% of shady people can't carry a normal business conversation. Then do most of the things mentioned above.
 
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Spink10 said:
I sell all the time on CL and would never do this as a seller. I can find someone else that won't waste my time. Just sayin.

Talk to the seller 5 mins on the phone. 90% of shady people can't carry a normal business conversation. Then do most of the things mentioned above.
Click to expand...

O ok, I also sell my old iPhones on CL all the time and I say in the ad I only meet at apple stores and if they buyer wants to meet a carrier store afterwords I am ok with it since the apple store and the carrier stores are just a mile apart.
 
Newtons Apple said:
It is a crap shoot. It could be stolen and not reported yet or locked to a carrier who is no longer getting paid and the carrier blacklists it. There is and always will be some risk.
Click to expand...
That's one of the risks that's harder to account for as the phone could be reported stolen or perhaps as unpaid at some point later on even if it worked fine when it was sold and even afterward.
 
I'm a fan (not a big fan, but a fan) of buying from your local Facebook buy swap and sell site. It makes it somewhat less risky as people don't want to be banned or "ruin" their reputation within their own community. It's all pretty risky though.
 
loft3 said:
Hey all,

I'm thinking of buying a used iPhone from craigslist to use as an extra while traveling and such. Besides checking out if the iPhone actually works, what other precautions should I take when buying a used iPhone from a person?

Is there any way to look up if the phone has been reported stolen (for example, could I ask them to provide the serial number and somehow check that in a database somewhere)?

I just don't want to buy a used iPhone only to find it's been remotely locked a day later because it's been stolen.
Click to expand...
Make sure that imessage has been disabled
 
comptr said:
O ok, I also sell my old iPhones on CL all the time and I say in the ad I only meet at apple stores and if they buyer wants to meet a carrier store afterwords I am ok with it since the apple store and the carrier stores are just a mile apart.
Click to expand...
Thats a lot of time! But greatly increased their trust in you. :)
 
Spink10 said:
I sell all the time on CL and would never do this as a seller. I can find someone else that won't waste my time. Just sayin.

Talk to the seller 5 mins on the phone. 90% of shady people can't carry a normal business conversation. Then do most of the things mentioned above.
Click to expand...
Yeah same here. I'd pass on a potential buyer who wanted to do all those theatrics just to prove the iPhone is valid. I'd meet at a carrier store or Apple but certainly not both. There's really nothing either place can tell you about the phone that you can't look up yourself with the IMEI.

There's risk in buying a used iPhone from anywhere these days. Just check for activation lock and check Swappa and/or checkesnfree to see if it's lost/stolen and of course make sure it actually works. Plus like you said, just talking on the phone to a potential seller can often let you know whether or not they're shady as most criminals tend to be pretty unintelligent.
 
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