Do you think that's safe? Why would someone be selling a brand new phone on there? What issues could one expect? Are phones from some carriers like Verizon more safe to purchase? Better to just pay full price from Apple or the carrier themselves?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Other Would you buy a new sealed iPhone from Swappa?
- Thread starter MisterAndrew
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
People can re-seal phones and make it look real and brand new. I would not fall for it.
Swappa generally has a good reputation. I didn't know that you could buy a new phone there, but if it is indeed new in original box, it should be okay. I personally buy my iPhones direct from Apple and I always choose the unlocked no carrier version. That way, I can use the phone with a carrier of my choice.
Swappa is hell to sell on.
Basically, it's probably okay and you can return for almost any reason.
Basically, it's probably okay and you can return for almost any reason.
My trusty iPhone 6 Plus I bought on Swappa in 2014 and it's been flawless and the Swappa transaction was effortless. It was a "new" refurb phone that had never been used. The factory cling wrap was still on it.
Some people return a faulty iPhone under warranty, get a replacement for free, then change their minds about the phone and get something else instead...and sell the no longer wanted iPhone on Swappa. That's the story of my iPhone.
Some people return a faulty iPhone under warranty, get a replacement for free, then change their minds about the phone and get something else instead...and sell the no longer wanted iPhone on Swappa. That's the story of my iPhone.
Do you know how long you have to return something? I don't see a time frame listed on their Market Policies page. I've read some people have bought phones (i'm not saying from Swappa, but in general) that became blacklisted a few months after they purchased it due to something like unpaid bills by the original owner.
Also, I'm asking because I saw a new Verizon phone on there I'm interested in, but I see new Verizon phones on eBay that are blacklisted. Why would a new sealed iPhone be blacklisted? Makes me nervous.
That will more likely happen on eBay, Craigslist. Swappa policies ban selling devices which are being financed by the carrier (in other words, if you owe money, it has to be to a company which can't cancel your service as terms of the loan).
Okay, thanks. I ordered a phone on Swappa. It was a better deal than the new one. Says mint condition and has AppleCare with theft & loss. Is there any way to know if the AppleCare plan is monthly or was a one time purchase?
Update: I contacted AppleCare and they told me it is transferable so it was a one-time purchase. That was a good deal!
Update: I contacted AppleCare and they told me it is transferable so it was a one-time purchase. That was a good deal!
Last edited:
I have sold 5 phones on there, and I bought 2. Every transaction was perfect.
I bought a 7 on there that had the signal bug. I returned it with no issue. I bought the 8+ I’m using now brand new in box and it’s been perfect. A lot of people who sell new phones are people who did a BOGO deal and don’t need both.
I bought a 7 on there that had the signal bug. I returned it with no issue. I bought the 8+ I’m using now brand new in box and it’s been perfect. A lot of people who sell new phones are people who did a BOGO deal and don’t need both.
Oh my. I bought one that was advertised as unlocked. According to the model number though it's a Verizon phone and it shows it's activated on AT&T in the photos, so it must be unlocked. Hopefully they didn't skip out on payments to Verizon.
I managed to snag an unlocked Galaxy S20+ for $960 brand new and sealed off Swappa. It was such a great deal and I was able to pick up the phone locally so I felt much better about the deal after meeting the seller and inspecting everything. He had ordered straight from Samsung directly and I have a one year warranty on the phone as well.
Sometimes that's not possible. I purchased a brand new iPhone from an Amazon reseller and it was perfect. Used it until I traded it in on a newer model.
I usually do buy my iPhones direct from Apple, but the newest phones are mid-cycle so I don't really want to pay full price for one if I can avoid it since it will be replaced in the fall.
[automerge]1584856082[/automerge]
That's awesome, except that it's Android of course.
Last edited:
I honestly avoid buying bnib sealed iPhones on swappa or eBay, there is a chance that the activation process requires the seller I’d code or something similar, plus it could be tied to their account for the activation process, I had to deal with that once and end up wasting time and shipping. You r better off buying an already activated phone plus it saves you 30 bucks on activation fees
That Reddit article only says he can't get AT&T to unlock his phone from it's network which is a common complaint. The phone still works like it should, AT&T just won't unlock it from their network. I had a friend give me his AT&T cellular iPad that was completely paid off when he purchased a new one and no matter what I did , AT&T refused to unlock the device. I tried for months and went through many representatives and even had my friend call to do it. I never got an explanation why they couldn't do it, they just said it wasn't possible. I finally traded it in at BestBuy and used the money to help pay for a new iPad. I'll never use AT&T for anything, their customer service is awful. The iPad worked fine by the way but, I thought it was ridiculous that they offer to unlock devices and then actually make it extremely difficult to do so.
Last edited:
I've sold several brand new sealed iPads on Swappa. No one has ever had an issue with an iPad I've sold them.
I once had a girl try to get a return because she "lost" her phone and wanted her money back.
[automerge]1584922003[/automerge]
It's true! I tried to unlock my paid off Note 10+ and for whatever reason AT&T won't unlock it.
I was ‘that guy’ that loved buying/selling on tech sites like eBay or Swappa. But it’s to the point now where it can be such a burden with the smallest faults that can cost the buyer time and money, which I simply don’t have time to deal with. I personally would rather purchase in store/direct from somebody I know, as it’s becoming more difficult to buy phones online given all the security protocols. Hard pass.
Exactly! I got worn out buying and selling. Swappa is generally good and you should be good most of the time, but as a seller they kinda suck. I take time and use a very accurate description for my items and the pictures show all (Trusted Seller on Swappa). But every now and then you will come across a buyer that just doesn't get it and can easily turn into a nitemare and Swappa does null in the way of helping the matter. You're essentially at the mercy of Paypal.
I just purchased a 2014 Samsung Galaxy S7 on Swappa (real cheap) last week. Phone is fine. This was the seller's first time selling there (no feedback score) and everything worked out great.
My experience doesn't guarantee it'll always go that smooth, but so far, Swappa has been a home run 2 out of 2 times for me
My experience doesn't guarantee it'll always go that smooth, but so far, Swappa has been a home run 2 out of 2 times for me
Curious as was one of the questions the original post asked, why were you selling new?
I've purchased new on Swappa, and I have sold a ton of phones. I have found the service has been excellent and Ive gotten max value for my devices with low fees. Here's the thing.....ask questions!!! When I bought new, I asked why they were selling it. If used, I'll ask the same questions, any marks, dings, dents, or scratches anywhere on the front or back of the device? Has it been abused or dropped at all? Everything is paid off, and I will have no issue activating it on my carrier? Ask Questions!!! I want to know precisely what I am purchasing and when I receive it, my expectations are typically met.
And when all is said and done having it in writing, if the device shows up and is in any condition or situation other than as described in the listing and my questions? I have it in writing and can take advantage of my protection from PayPal.
Got 1 xs Max 512gb Gold for us725 last month. It came with full 12 months of Apple care till Feb 2021. Battery at 100% still and phone did not have any body damage and unused accessories. Basically a brand new condition.
Deal even came with 3 cases. 2 mous carbon fiber (slim and the other with wide bumpers) and an Apple black silicone case. There was also a premium matte screen protector installed which I like as these don’t attract finger prints.
Key is to look for such deals but be quick as many are looking too.
Deal even came with 3 cases. 2 mous carbon fiber (slim and the other with wide bumpers) and an Apple black silicone case. There was also a premium matte screen protector installed which I like as these don’t attract finger prints.
Key is to look for such deals but be quick as many are looking too.
Totally! The 11 Pro I snagged was just listed while I was browsing. Others were already starting to ask questions so I quickly came to a decision. I received it today and it's beautiful. All set up and Apple Support transferred the AppleCare plan. It's unlocked, but I still contacted the original carrier to make sure it's not on any negative lists before I activated it.