Buying a used phone from Craigslist - What should I look for?

I am getting my first iPhone from Craigslist, a Space Gray 32G iPhone 5S. However, Craigslist does not have a strong reputation (stronger than eBay, at least) and many scams have been done. The images shown are in dim light. They say there is only one small scuff on the side, of which I am fine with. They state the iPhone is factory reset, it has a clean ESN, and they are offering to give me the IMEI to personally check the device. It is an unlocked T-Mobile phone, of which I plan to replace the SIM-card for a different service.

I will be meeting them in a public area in real life, not shipping. What should I look for when examining the phone? I plan to setup the phone while they are there to make sure all the buttons work, Siri works, headphones and charging ports work, as well as the structure of the phone (make sure it isn't plastic, font is not from Android, basically just not a China fake). Is there anything else I should check for? Thanks. 🙂

Note: I do not have a SIM-card to test phone calls or texts, however I could try to test those on WiFi.

iPhone 5s, iOS 8.4, Space Gray 32G

Posted on Jul 11, 2015 10:41 AM

19 replies

Jul 11, 2015 1:08 PM in response to itsChris

itsChris wrote:

As unconvincing as it may seem, the grammar of the user doesn't seem like one of a criminal. They speak with proper grammar

That assumption is beyond ridiculous. There are lots of criminals with good educations and impeccable grammar. Have you considered that the ad could have been up for a month and that they have met several other people and in some way defrauded them?

I hope you're as lucky as your naïveté makes you believe you will be. And, if you're not, that the lesson isn't too painful. This time.

itsChris Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 11, 2015 1:24 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Look, I'm just a teenager wanting to buy a phone. Do I have the most experience? No. That doesn't mean I'm stupid. The seller is very friendly and willing to send me pictures of the device. He also doesn't like meeting in solitary areas. This thread has turned into something it didn't need to be. It started off as a question about fake iPhones (the product) amd now it has turned into an argument about being murdered. If you have any advice based off the original post, please proceed to comment.

Jul 11, 2015 8:37 PM in response to itsChris

itsChris wrote:

Look, I'm just a teenager wanting to buy a phone. Do I have the most experience? No. That doesn't mean I'm stupid.

I don't think your stupid. I think you're naive. And way too trusting for your own safety and financial well-being. You think you're a far better judge of character than you have the experience to possibly be. These are fairly normal conditions of youth. Unfortunately, the unwillingness to take good advice is also a fairly common condition of youth.

As I said above, I hope that you're lucky and that this all goes well. If it doesn't, I hope you learn something from the experience.

KiltedTim

Level 10

224,988 points

Jul 12, 2015 12:53 AM in response to itsChris

We didn't say you're stupid. You are, however very naive.

Go ahead, but I would really insist on meeting at the police station.

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Buying a used phone from Craigslist - What should I look for?