What to look out for buying second hand iPhone 4?

Nixer95

My brother is currently looking to buy a second hand iPhone 4, how can he be sure that after he buys it the seller wont register it as stolen and have it barred to get insurance on it or get another iPhone ?

I see other buyers asking for imei and serial numbers, what can be checked on these?

He also rang O2 and they said they have no control over people reporting iPhones stolen that they just bar the phones as requested by the registered owner.

Any info greatly appreciated.

naasrd

Nixer95 wrote: »

My brother is currently looking to buy a second hand iPhone 4, how can he be sure that after he buys it the seller wont register it as stolen and have it barred to get insurance on it or get another iPhone ?

I see other buyers asking for imei and serial numbers, what can be checked on these?

He also rang O2 and they said they have no control over people reporting iPhones stolen that they just bar the phones as requested by the registered owner.

Any info greatly appreciated.

He's probably better off not buying a second hand one. It's a big bad world out there and you need a lot of savvy to stop yourself from being ripped off and even then it can still happened. However, I've bought a number if second hand iPhones for family members and never been stung. As for the example you mentioned above, take that with a pinch if salt.

Nixer95

Hi, thanks for your reply, yeh my sister has bought two iPhone 3 secondhand and had no problems, it's mainly due to the high cost that worrying, I was telling him to try and buy one with a receipt so at least he had some come back plus warranty.

billy few mates

Also you could ask the seller if they wouldn't mind posing for a picture (for security purposes) which you could then take on the phone, if they become in any way cagey or reluctant to be photographed, you should then walk away.
If you buy the phone and it subsequently turns out to be dodgy or stolen, you will at least have a picture of the person you bought it off for when you make a complaint to the Gardai. You should always try and obtain some other form of identification from the seller as well to help put a name to the face....

jame5_b

billy few mates wrote: »

Also you could ask the seller if they wouldn't mind posing for a picture (for security purposes) which you could then take on the phone, if they become in any way cagey or reluctant to be photographed, you should then walk away.
If you buy the phone and it subsequently turns out to be dodgy or stolen, you will at least have a picture of the person you bought it off for when you make a complaint to the Gardai. You should always try and obtain some other form of identification from the seller as well to help put a name to the face....

I'm sorry but that is just ridiculous. If I was selling a phone and someone asked me to could they take a picture of me id tell them where to go.

You can easily find out if the phone is working before you buy it buy putting a sim card into it and making a call.

billy few mates

You can easily find out if the phone is working before you buy it buy putting a sim card into it and making a call.

Unfortunately this won't tell you if its stolen or about to be reported stolen as mentioned above.

fox007

Ask for Id then get the seller to sign a receipt says they sold the phone on this date and the iPhone is not stolen property etc etc

mufcboy1999

Also you could ask the seller if they wouldn't mind posing for a picture (for security purposes) which you could then take on the phone, if they become in any way cagey or reluctant to be photographed, you should then walk away

I LOL'D at this, in all fairness thats a bit extreme.

Jagle

wait 2 months new iphone in september. while you might not buy it, it will push the prices of current gen phones down

billy few mates

Don't buy....

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

LukeS_

I didn't necessarily BUY one but some guy messaged me on Adverts asking to trade his iPhone 4 for my HTC Desire Z. I was a bit hesitant at the thought of it but a fair few months on and now, my iPhone 4 is still working perfectly. Factory unlocked and everything!

WebGeek

That it's not a chinese knockoff - happened me twice with someone trying to dupe me. Easily spotted. Another one is you are shown a genuine iphone then the seller swaps it for a dud and sells to you.