What should I be aware of buying a 2nd hand iphone?

CleverUsername

Hi all, Apologies if this is a regular theme, but has anyone any tips/words of caution when buying a 2nd hand iphone? I found an iphone4 for sale on a different website. It's half the full price, locked to vodafone, brand new unwanted gift from family member, receipt included.

I would like to get it as a gift for my sister (she's mad for one) but I know nothing about them....does this look/sound okay to you? I've heard there are lots of iphone scams and dont want to waste my money

I'm planning on picking up face to face in the next day or so.

Any advice welcome

whiterebel

TBH, with some of the stories around here recently, I don't think I'd buy one second hand. Too many scams on the go, and half price seems too good to be true.....

Dublinstiofán

Buyers information:

• Make sure if your going to buy one that it comes with a receipt and a box.

It is highly unlikely a stolen iPhone will come with the box and all
accessories. Its the easiest way of knowing that the person actually
owns the phone. That way if the previous owner reports it as stolen
and tries to claim on the insurance (or puts it on the blacklist) you
have a leg to stand on!

• The IMEI on the box, receipt and the device should all match.

• You should ask the seller for the IMEI of the device before meeting them.
  Go to www.apple.ie/support
  and check to see if the device is still in warranty. Apple devices are very
  expensive to get serviced once out of warranty.

• Make sure you get one that is sim free or on the correct network as they
  are not easy to officially unlock. Be aware that some are only unlocked by
  the user via software and are not permanently unlocked. Hence if the software
  is updated the device will become locked to its official network once again.

• If it is network locked, ring the provider with the IMEI number and make
  sure its not blacklisted before purchase.

• Ensure it powers on before you buy it and ask the seller to
  have it activated so you can check that the phone is receiving signal from
  the correct network provider. Or if unlocked try two sim cards and insure
  'Cydia' is NOT installed.

• If Cydia is installed and the owner is selling the device as sim free. Open
  Cydia and ensure that Ultrasnow is not installed.

• Always insist on a face to face meeting. Collecting at the sellers home
  address if possible

• If the device is sealed and brand new needless to say your going to have
  to come to an arrangement with the seller to pay them on the condition
  that once you open the box (in their presence) that the item inside is as
  described and not a fake

PRICING:

In regards to iPhones showing up on different sites you will have to use
your own cop on. An iPhone 4 for €200 is not going to happen. Realistically
if its priced at €200 its either stolen, a fake chinese copy or has some
physical damage.

You can expect to pay
€100 to €200 for an iPhone 2G.
€200 to €270 for an iPhone 3G.
€270 to €400 for an iPhone 3GS (8,16 or 32GB)
€380 to €500 for an iPhone 4 16GB.
€480 to €600 for an iPhone 4 32GB.

CleverUsername

Dublinstiofán wrote: »

Make sure if your going to buy one that it comes with a receipt and a box.
Its the easiest way of knowing that the person actually owns the phone. The IMEI of the box should match the device and the IMEI on the receipt should match the device. Insisting on receipt/delivery docket is the ONLY way of proving you handed over money for one.

That way if the previous owner reports it as stolen and tries to claim on the insurance (and puts it on the blacklist) you have a leg to stand on!

In regards to iPhones showing up on different sites you will have to use your own cop on. An iPhone 4 for €200 is not going to happen. Realistically if its priced at €200 its either stolen, a fake chinese copy or has some physical damage.

You can expect to pay
€100 to €200 for an iPhone 2G.
€200 to €270 for an iPhone 3G.
€270 to €400 for an iPhone 3GS (8,16 or 32GB)
€380 to €500 for an iPhone 4 16GB.
€480 to €600 for an iPhone 4 32GB.

Thanks for the info. I never knew the IMEI would appear on the receipt, so that's very good to know. The seller says it's unopened and they have receipt. It's on a mums/babies website so sometimes the price isn't the same as you'd get on the likes of adverts/gumtree (I've seen things going way over/under the odds).

I've asked to inspect the item face to face before purchasing so hopefully I can find a friend who knows more about it than me to come too. If I can't meet it's a no go for me. I guess if all goes well I'll have to pay cash which I'm not too happy about but I dont think paypal/cc really cover you for being gullible anyway:p

Dublinstiofán

OP i've cleaned up my original post and added to it. I'd advise reading it again.

Also i'd strongly advice you to bring somebody who has an iPhone already with
you to check and make sure what your getting is real. Considering the price,
i'd be very careful!

naasrd

Over the last year I've bought 4 second hand iPhones on Adverts.ie for myself and family members. None had boxes or receipts, all are working fine and 2 were unlocked officially by 02 when requested.

People can be very anal about what to look out for; insurance scams, blacklisted, yadda, yadda, yadda. The bottom line is you pay your money and you take your chance. If someone has a reciept well and good, but a box, on the other hand, can be bought on eBay for a fiver and signifies nothing.

Dublinstiofán

naasrd wrote: »

Over the last year I've bought 4 second hand iPhones on Adverts.ie for myself and family members. None had boxes or receipts, all are working fine and 2 were unlocked officially by 02 when requested.

People can be very anal about what to look out for; insurance scams, blacklisted, yadda, yadda, yadda. The bottom line is you pay your money and you take your chance. If someone has a reciept well and good, but a box, on the other hand, can be bought on eBay for a fiver and signifies nothing.

I've bought many without receipt from Adverts too. However i would think
twice about buying without receipt and box in future as my mate was
scammed only last week. She wasn't 'Very anal' as you describe and it cost her €200 in a heartbeat.

A box that is bought from Ebay for a fiver signifies more than you may think.
The two IMEI numbers wouldn't match. Fine if you lost the box and are
selling without it but if you went out of your way to buy another one to flog
it on id be asking questions.

I say use every defense mechanism you can op to avoid being caught out,
especially if you aren't familiar with iPhones.