Tips for buying phones used. - General Topics

I am already aware of swappa and ESN checks.
I am curious if there are any (common) ways to get screwed purchasing a phone from eBay or CL. If you check an ESN and its good, and start using the phone you've purchased. What is to stop the phone from being reported as a bad ESN later?
Thanks in Advance.
edit: corrected for clarity.

skidawgz said:
I am already aware of swappa and ESN checks.
I am curious if there are any (common) ways to get screwed purchasing a phone from eBay or CL. If you check an ESN and its good, and start using the phone you've purchased. What is to stop the phone from being reported as a bad ESN later?
Thanks in Advance.
edit: corrected for clarity.
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Click to collapse
If your usign ebay get them to take a photo with their name on a piece of paper next to the phone.

skidawgz said:
I am already aware of swappa and ESN checks.
I am curious if there are any (common) ways to get screwed purchasing a phone from eBay or CL. If you check an ESN and its good, and start using the phone you've purchased. What is to stop the phone from being reported as a bad ESN later?
Thanks in Advance.
edit: corrected for clarity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just go with ones with good ratings

joe
thanks
skidawgz said:
I am already aware of swappa and ESN checks.
I am curious if there are any (common) ways to get screwed purchasing a phone from eBay or CL. If you check an ESN and its good, and start using the phone you've purchased. What is to stop the phone from being reported as a bad ESN later?
Thanks in Advance.
edit: corrected for clarity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Yes always go with sellers with outstanding ratings and if in doubt, don't buy.

Related

Buying used inspire

What do I look for? Its rooted already the guy said he's had it like 40 days and only reason for getting rid of it is because it don't support his work email? Anything I should know to look for? Or if its stolen how do I find out?
Be very carefull Will Robinson... With data plan they're only $99 new.
vdubguy83 said:
What do I look for? Its rooted already the guy said he's had it like 40 days and only reason for getting rid of it is because it don't support his work email? Anything I should know to look for? Or if its stolen how do I find out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could always call into att customer service and see if the imei has been reported stolen before you buy it. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you did that before giving him the cash. I've had people ask me if they could call in to make sure it was legit before they bought off me. Also, make sure its not water damaged in any way.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA App
wOoT_WoOt said:
You could always call into att customer service and see if the imei has been reported stolen before you buy it. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you did that before giving him the cash. I've had people ask me if they could call in to make sure it was legit before they bought off me. Also, make sure its not water damaged in any way.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA App
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Yeah I had just email him and asked for that. Was getting back on here to say I asked for the imei number lol beat me too it. Is there only the two spots on the inspire for water damage? Under battery door and under sim cover piece?
IMEI checked out. So probably picking it up tomorrow if everything else checks out
Let us know how you like everything. Planning on flashing any ROMs?!
rotchcrocket04 said:
Let us know how you like everything. Planning on flashing any ROMs?!
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Click to collapse
Will do. Yeah, once I figure it all out.

[Q] IMEI numbers matching phone and box?

Long story short.. I sold a phone on eBay with the original box. However, the phone was replaced twice due to sleep death issues. So it turns out that the phone I had sold IMEI number was different then that of the original sticker on the box. This is normal as when you replace a phone, they don't send you a whole new box, they just give you a new phone.
So my question is.. why would a buyer make a big deal about the box's IMEI number not matching the phone's IMEI number? I can only think that he's trying to re-sell it somehow to make a profit, but can't because the numbers don't match.
His reason is "because customs won't allow phones into Europe without the original box with IMEI numbers matching". Riiiiiiight
Anyone care to speculate? Thanks.
So basically, the buyer is saying customs will take apart the packaging to check the IMEI, and take the phone out to check the IMEI on the back of it? Plus, what about phones that weren't shipped with their original boxes?
The buyer is obviously lying/bsing.
jianC said:
So basically, the buyer is saying customs will take apart the packaging to check the IMEI, and take the phone out to check the IMEI on the back of it? Plus, what about phones that weren't shipped with their original boxes?
The buyer is obviously lying/bsing.
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Click to collapse
Exactly. He said he was speaking with the airport and they would charge $30-$40 dollars to get some "copies" of proof of ownership so he wants to be compensated for this in a partial refund. When I asked him for the number to this airport so I could verify this obvious bs story myself.. he all of a sudden had to ask his friend for the number and would get back to me. And still hasn't 5 hours later.
Obviously, he's trying to do something dodgy here and wants to be compensated $30-40 for something that he screwed up on by not making sure the IMEI numbers match beforehand. I just can't figure out what.
if i were the buyer, and all that's true, i'd be saying to myself, 'dang i guess i shoulda checked on this intl shipping stuff first..."
just my own thoughts on the matter though...
i wouldnt expect every seller, especially a person, selling his own phone to know every countries or airports shipping procedures...
Since you said Ebay: I take it this is outside the return period (if you had one/stated no returns). Assuming the buyer is reputable himself: I'd ask for documented proof. Paypal would require this as well so you're just saying him the time before Paypal asks him the same thing. Cause yeah: this is sketchy.
B-Naughty said:
if i were the buyer, and all that's true, i'd be saying to myself, 'dang i guess i shoulda checked on this intl shipping stuff first..."
just my own thoughts on the matter though...
i wouldnt expect every seller, especially a person, selling his own phone to know every countries or airports shipping procedures...
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Click to collapse
Very true, although I don't claim to be an expert on such matters.. from what I understand.. customs doesn't actually open and physically inspect packages unless there's something really abnormal/illegal looking on the package. Imagine if customs actually physically inspected every single package that went through Europe on a daily basis. Not at all plausible.
But that really doesn't even matter in this case as he stated that he, himself, was going to Europe with the phone which made this all so much more bs-worthy.
alpha-niner64 said:
Since you said Ebay: I take it this is outside the return period (if you had one/stated no returns). Assuming the buyer is reputable himself: I'd ask for documented proof. Paypal would require this as well so you're just saying him the time before Paypal asks him the same thing. Cause yeah: this is sketchy.
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Click to collapse
I did state no returns and yeah I was going to ask him for proof.. but I figured it would be needed anyway if he files a dispute, so I just left that be. I just told him that I'm sorry he didn't verify this all before purchasing as if it was that critical to the sale, he should have made sure before purchasing. I also told him that I could not help any further as the phone works exactly as it should and his only problem is mis-matched IMEI numbers. Definitely sketchy.
J0ESK0 said:
Very true, although I don't claim to be an expert on such matters.. from what I understand.. customs doesn't actually open and physically inspect packages unless there's something really abnormal/illegal looking on the package. Imagine if customs actually physically inspected every single package that went through Europe on a daily basis. Not at all plausible.
But that really doesn't even matter in this case as he stated that he, himself, was going to Europe with the phone which made this all so much more bs-worthy.
I did state no returns and yeah I was going to ask him for proof.. but I figured it would be needed anyway if he files a dispute, so I just left that be. I just told him that I'm sorry he didn't verify this all before purchasing as if it was that critical to the sale, he should have made sure before purchasing. I also told him that I could not help any further as the phone works exactly as it should and his only problem is mis-matched IMEI numbers. Definitely sketchy.
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Click to collapse
this was a US to US transaction? i thought you shipped overseas... he doesn't have a leg to stand on... no part of your transaction said anything about what you do with it afterwards... or i warranty this, yada yada... it was no returns... i would imagine your sale outlined the phone in its condition... like you said, he should've inquired about that... he's taking it with him??? tell him throw the [email protected] box away....
B-Naughty said:
i would tell him throw the [email protected] box away....
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Hahaha.. exactly my thoughts. XD And yes, US to US transaction. Then all of a sudden 2 weeks later he needs the original box to match the phone so he can bring it to Europe with him as a gift. Smh. People will make anything up when they screw up instead of just admitting they made a mistake. Oh well heh.
Sent from my Jellybro'd Nexus Prime using xda premium
Unfortunately, eBay and PayPal always side with the buyer. Even if there is a stated "no returns" policy. To make everything supposedly even, they will tell him to ship it back to you, and you will have to refund the original price plus original shipping. You will both be out a little bit. Due to you already paying once for shipping, and him for having to pay to send it back.
Sent from my PG86100 using xda app-developers app
Did you get any receipts or paperwork for the replacements. This may be enough if you can send him those as proof.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
austin420 said:
Unfortunately, eBay and PayPal always side with the buyer. Even if there is a stated "no returns" policy. To make everything supposedly even, they will tell him to ship it back to you, and you will have to refund the original price plus original shipping. You will both be out a little bit. Due to you already paying once for shipping, and him for having to pay to send it back.
Sent from my PG86100 using xda app-developers app
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People have gotten around this. All the buyer has to do is do a chargeback on their CC. Dirty business.
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Thanks ✟
Moving to Q&A

Good deal. 32GB for $325?

Two weeks old on CL said he would do $325 only includes phone..no charger, box or anything. Would you guys take it? I'm trying to decide my sprint contract is up Feb 1 and i was interested in this phone and switching to T Mobile
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
rickyb316 said:
Two weeks old on CL said he would do $325 only includes phone..no charger, box or anything. Would you guys take it? I'm trying to decide my sprint contract is up Feb 1 and i was interested in this phone and switching to T Mobile
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Sounds sketchy...
He was asking $375 but said it was negotiable because it didn't include anything but the phone. Would it be recommended to use any micro usb charger or is there one specifically built for this phone?
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
rickyb316 said:
He was asking $375 but said it was negotiable because it didn't include anything but the phone. Would it be recommended to use any micro usb charger or is there one specifically built for this phone?
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
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Why not box or charger? Because it's probably stolen.
BirchBarlow said:
Why not box or charger? Because it's probably stolen.
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Click to collapse
i can only agree with fellow XDA member.
if you buy new device (high end) you will defon keep the box... maybe the charger can kinda get lost (in work, school, or something) but defo not the box... and the price he is sellling it at is not a "steal"... so save few more bucks bro and get your hands on brand new boxed nexie.
take care...
My friend just bought a Black 32GB just the phone and cable, no box or charger, for 300$ of CL here in the Seattle area, he just made sure he checked the IMEI using Swappa.com (they have a free IMEI/ESN checker, be careful with other sites that claim to check IMEI/ESN's for you, cause some of those are just phishing for these numbers, and once you put them in, they will tell you its ok, but then copy the number themselves and use it for cloning devices, or for changing the IMEI on a blacklisted phone, to the white-listed IMEI you gave them. Also once you use a legit IMEI checker, call your service provider and tell them you are purchasing this right now and have the dude talk to them to verify this, you could also call whatever provider he was using, if any, so that way there's record of him selling. or you could just meet at one of your service providers stores. If they aren't willing to do that, and are absolutely set on not meeting there, then yea, somethings up. But I would at least try the approach I suggested cause you may end up getting a very good deal, and if not, then you didn't lose anything cause you took steps to ensure your protection, so no harm no foul.
AND NEVER GO ALONE ! Guy or Girl. I am 27, 6'3", ex-military, and a Guitarist who is well known in the local scene so most people in the area know me, but I still don't do CL deals by myself. I even have my CHL and carry either a Glock 19 Gen 2, or a FNH FNP Tactical .45 (not always, but sometimes, I am an opencarry adovacate, but i wont get into that here lol), and still dont go alone, can't stress that one enough. a dear friend of mine was raped in Tacoma, WA while trying to buy a crib for her daughter and i wish everyday that she woulda called me or one of our friends to go with...
The final bit of advice I can give, is trust your gut. Sounds cliche, but its true. If you feel like somethings off, it prolly is, and even if it isn't, is your life, or overall well-being, worth getting less then 100$ off on a phone, ya dig.
Not sure I agree with the people who say if you don't have a box, its probably stolen. I sold a phone without a box because when I bought it, the person at the t-mobile store told me that I would get a $10 bill credit if I let them recycle the box. Sounded sketchy to me, but I did actually get the credit.
And running the IMEI through swaapa just proves that it hasn't been marked as stolen YET. The seller could stop paying payments (if they have tmo) and the IMEI gets blacklisted then.
Silicon Knight said:
My friend just bought a Black 32GB just the phone and cable, no box or charger, for 300$ of CL here in the Seattle area, he just made sure he checked the IMEI using Swappa.com (they have a free IMEI/ESN checker, be careful with other sites that claim to check IMEI/ESN's for you, cause some of those are just phishing for these numbers, and once you put them in, they will tell you its ok, but then copy the number themselves and use it for cloning devices, or for changing the IMEI on a blacklisted phone, to the white-listed IMEI you gave them. Also once you use a legit IMEI checker, call your service provider and tell them you are purchasing this right now and have the dude talk to them to verify this, you could also call whatever provider he was using, if any, so that way there's record of him selling. or you could just meet at one of your service providers stores. If they aren't willing to do that, and are absolutely set on not meeting there, then yea, somethings up. But I would at least try the approach I suggested cause you may end up getting a very good deal, and if not, then you didn't lose anything cause you took steps to ensure your protection, so no harm no foul.
AND NEVER GO ALONE ! Guy or Girl. I am 27, 6'3", ex-military, and a Guitarist who is well known in the local scene so most people in the area know me, but I still don't do CL deals by myself. I even have my CHL and carry either a Glock 19 Gen 2, or a FNH FNP Tactical .45 (not always, but sometimes, I am an opencarry adovacate, but i wont get into that here lol), and still dont go alone, can't stress that one enough. a dear friend of mine was raped in Tacoma, WA while trying to buy a crib for her daughter and i wish everyday that she woulda called me or one of our friends to go with...
The final bit of advice I can give, is trust your gut. Sounds cliche, but its true. If you feel like somethings off, it prolly is, and even if it isn't, is your life, or overall well-being, worth getting less then 100$ off on a phone, ya dig.
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Click to collapse
OP and you can bring me ill get him to punch me (self defense) then ill beat his ass and take my iPhone crack it first then smack him on the face making sure the glass shards cut every damn thing!
markdapimp said:
OP and you can bring me ill get him to punch me (self defense) then ill beat his ass and take my iPhone crack it first then smack him on the face making sure the glass shards cut every damn thing!
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wow, I totally change my stance. Forget everything i said (minus the part about IMEI/ESN checkers) and just bring this dude, he's like some crazy iphone wielding ninja. You can't lose with him watching ur back, they will be so scared, they'll prolly just give you the phone and free service for a year lol
Hunteres said:
i can only agree with fellow XDA member.
if you buy new device (high end) you will defon keep the box... maybe the charger can kinda get lost (in work, school, or something) but defo not the box... and the price he is sellling it at is not a "steal"... so save few more bucks bro and get your hands on brand new boxed nexie.
take care...
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Actually it probably is a steal. Get it? :laugh::good:
mistahseller said:
Actually it probably is a steal. Get it? :laugh::good:
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:rimshot:
Sent from my Moto X
Not worth
No go people. It's not about being stolen, I've had my phone stolen before and I needed to send my box and service agreement into Asurion. It could be that he has the box and may sell it but then report it stolen after the fact. I've done business on craigslist plenty of times and actually learned this the hard way about a year ago when I bought a Nexus 4 blacklisted from T-Mobile about 3 days after I bought it and was working. Always get the box with the IMEI sticker still attached when buying phones on craigslist, in most cases your better off than not.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] Got scammed

So I bought a moto g 16gb unlocked on ebay. It was case open, but practically unused, and it was £20 cheaper so I bought it. There was an issue with the SIM, it wouldn't even detect it so I thought the pins were broken. Took it in for repair, turns out the IMEI is blacklisted and phone most likely stolen, so my question is, is it possible to change the IMEI and still make it work? Or get the IMEI unlocked? Is there any workaround for this or am I permanently screwed with this phone?
You are screw imei. Tampering is highly illegal, except this was done over ebay which means PayPal was in play bring it up with them. You may get your cash back also check the disscription make sure it wasn't buried in their
Sent from my LT30p using Tapatalk
Durteedee said:
You are screw imei. Tampering is highly illegal, except this was done over ebay which means PayPal was in play bring it up with them. You may get your cash back also check the disscription make sure it wasn't buried in their
Sent from my LT30p using Tapatalk
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Okay, well I'm about done with drama, I know this guy is a scammer, I had some arguments and he's a total scammer and I can't be bothered to mess with paypal legal team and whatnot. I was just wondering if there's an alternative way to get it fixed, guess not though. I might just give it to a relative as an ipod touch.
kolega28 said:
Okay, well I'm about done with drama, I know this guy is a scammer, I had some arguments and he's a total scammer and I can't be bothered to mess with paypal legal team and whatnot. I was just wondering if there's an alternative way to get it fixed, guess not though. I might just give it to a relative as an ipod touch.
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Click to collapse
kolega28 said:
Okay, well I'm about done wno ith drama, I know this guy is a scammer, I had some arguments and he's a total scammer and I can't be bothered to mess with paypal legal team and whatnot. I was just wondering if there's an alternative way to get it fixed, guess not though. I might just give it to a relative as an ipod touch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PayPal isn't that bad and is on your side just look into it
Sent from my LT30p using Tapatalk
if you got scammed they might help you out. might as well right?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
You'd be pretty pissed off if someone stole your Moto G, fixed the IMEI blacklist then was able to sell it... unless you stole it joking
Seriously though bring it up with Paypal.
Re-read the Ebay listing and make sure it is NOT listed ANYWHERE in the description about being blacklisted.
Then, as everyone is suggesting, at least bring it to the attention of PayPal and eBay.
A blacklisted phone by IMEI can't be recovered ever again, because [Corrections allowed] when somebody calls to it's carrier to block their stolen phone by IMEI, they block/blacklist it and that wouldn't be suposed to turn on, or at least that's what i've read weeks ago. That blacklist would make that not even another countries carrier SIM cards work on that phone. :/
Technically that Moto G is now an iPod Touch. :/
I don't know 'that' well those online shopping sites (ebay, mercadolibre, amazon, etc.) but you could be able to report or, (corrections) take legal actions against the user that sold you that.
Just saying.
Sent from my XT1058 using xda app-developers app
resell it
if you can't return it to the seller, or get a refund from PayPal/eBay, you better try to resell it to somewhere abroad
zach_h said:
if you can't return it to the seller, or get a refund from PayPal/eBay, you better try to resell it to somewhere abroad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And be a dirty douche bag like the guys who sold him the phone??
That's pretty low man.
Unless in the description he states in huge writing right at the top "BLACKLISTED DEVICE", which is what the first guy should have done.
ATRIXXIRTA said:
And be a dirty douche bag like the guys who sold him the phone??
That's pretty low man.
Unless in the description he states in huge writing right at the top "BLACKLISTED DEVICE", which is what the first guy should have done.
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Click to collapse
no. his device is blacklisted only in his country. users abroad can use it
Did not know that...
So if I were to purchase a device online that has been blacklisted in, say, Europe, I could use it here in North America?
I just thought the IMEI be blocked everywhere.
Blacklisting is available only in the UK afaik, besides you should get a refund from eBay/PP/Seller, it's quite easy.
Otherwise it can be used in any other country w/o a problem.
Also there is a way to unblock it if you got the original box. Probably the idiot sold it and then reported it stolen.
Some time ago I was looking for American iPhones but some were black listed and I've been told that you can't use them here in Europe
Sent from my XT1032 using xda app-developers app
Paypal protection is there for this sort of thing and is pretty easy to make a claim, why someone can't be bothered is a mystery indeed, unless there's more to this than has been told.
EBay Buyer Protection is a wondrous thing. Also for phones just go to swappa.com.
Sent from my XT1028 using Tapatalk
yes there is a way.....
kolega28 said:
Okay, well I'm about done with drama, I know this guy is a scammer, I had some arguments and he's a total scammer and I can't be bothered to mess with paypal legal team and whatnot. I was just wondering if there's an alternative way to get it fixed, guess not though. I might just give it to a relative as an ipod touch.
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Click to collapse
there is a way but you wont find it here because there are some ppl that want to unblacklist their hard days work of stealing phones. I feel what you are going through and you need to serch google as there are plenty of sites offering the service.... I had one done over the web on a telus note 2 and worked flawlessly. and yes I got scammed too... on ebay.

Live demo unit

Can write imei on a live demo unit?
CosmiiOffical said:
Can write imei on a live demo unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably but it can't be discussed on here. Meaning discussing IMEI writes is not allowed.
Limeybastard said:
Probably but it can't be discussed on here. Meaning discussing IMEI writes is not allowed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
☝☝☝☝☝☝THIS!☝☝☝☝☝☝
Demo units are usally sold later to us consumers but for cheaper price so no writing a IMEI from demo unit does not mean it can't be used as daily unit. Since demo unit is same as normal unit, only thing they done is enabled demo mode on it. Even our normal units have demo mode in them, so that's why writing IMEI to any unit is not allowed anywhere.
IMEI is privacy information and shall never be shared!
It doesn't sound that hard... of course if they wanted to sell it, it have been done.
blackhawk said:
It doesn't sound that hard... of course if they wanted to sell it, it have been done.
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Probably pulled out of a display stand at best buy or Carphone warehouse.
Limeybastard said:
Probably pulled out of a display stand at best buy or Carphone warehouse.
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Lol, I just wuv these threads

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