Selling a phone without getting scammed

[tiger_handheld]

I've read a few stories where people have been scammed when selling their phone. Over the weekend I sold my Iphone to a complete stranger from craigslist and I thought I'd share how it happened as it was successful and very safe.

The setup:
- Emailed the buyer and outlined my terms: meet at a Telus location, bring cash in all new style bills $20's and $10's only.
- Buyer requested IMEI, I mentioned I was not comfortable, but they can ask whatever questions at Telus and/or Apple
- Set up meeting time and stated I will re-confirm 1.5hrs prior to meeting time, if no response I will not go ahead with the deal
- Requested buyer bring BCDL and stated I will provide a receipt

The meet up:
- Met buyer at Telus at local mall and authorized Telus rep to answer whatever questions the buyer had (it was re: IMEI being lost/stolen)
- Walked to Apple store and buyer asked questions about being unlocked and I authorized apple rep to answer questions about the phone and it's potential issues and once buyer was happy asked apple rep to "reset" the phone in front of the buyer.

The transaction:
- Asked the buyer to sign the contract (see pic) and each of got a copy
- Exchanged cash

contract.jpg


Some may say this is too much, but I didn't want to be scammed or scam the buyer. I felt this protected both of us.

Hopefully this thread helps someone...

[Mr.HappySilp]

That seems a bit much. That's why I don't buy use phones anymore and only sell on RS. Actually I meet up with a few RS member at the apple store to verify my Iphone is good and never black list. Even have the Apple care too. I don't like to scam ppl and don't want to be scam lol.

[CL typeS]

thats pretty excessive to walk to both stores. But the receipt thing is also what I do when I am a buyer or a seller. Just for ease of mind for everyone involved

[keifun]

I find the written contract part may be a bit too much, but better safe than sorry I guess.

[v_tec]

+1 on being too much. Especially the BCDL part.

You still haven't answered me on the other thread. While this 'protects' the buyer, how does it make any different to the "seller"/you? In what way would "it go south" for the seller? Being accused/sued for a false phone?

[TOPEC]

if anything were to happen would the contract actually protect u or the buyer in anyway?!

[Nicotine]

the whole reason craigstlist exsits the majority of times is for people to do hand to hand transactions, quickly and simply. if some one tried to give me that buying/selling a phone, it would be strange.
your a random why would i give u and email phone number and bcdl?


but if it works for you, go for it!

[Ch28]

100% overkill

[SkinnyPupp]

I would say just sell to people on RS, but everyone here is such a lowballer

[!MiKrofT]

All I do when I sell a phone is let them try their sim and check imei. When that's done they give me cash. Giving out a bcdl to a complete stranger I wouldn't do. Rather not do the dale if it was me.

[tiger_handheld]

Originally Posted by v_tec

+1 on being too much. Especially the BCDL part.

You still haven't answered me on the other thread. While this 'protects' the buyer, how does it make any different to the "seller"/you? In what way would "it go south" for the seller? Being accused/sued for a false phone?

counterfeit cash
claims some issue with the phone wants money back with non stop emails

[Acura604]

kudos for posting contract... i too am nervous as hell to buy a used phone off craigslist unless it was a source i was familiar with. i may use the above contract but reduce it a bit.

[Ch28]

Originally Posted by tiger_handheld

counterfeit cash
claims some issue with the phone wants money back with non stop emails

You're not going to be able to do anything if you're paid with counterfeit cash. For all you know, the person has no idea that he's paying you with counterfeit cash, and even if he did, there's no way you could possibly prove that the cash was from him.

Once the buyer has tested the phone and cash has been exchanged then the deal is finalized. Emailing you constantly wanting to get their money back shouldn't even matter to you.

[murd0c]

Originally Posted by tiger_handheld

counterfeit cash
claims some issue with the phone wants money back with non stop emails

for counterfeit cash I always ask for new bills so you won't have to worry about being scammed that way.

[whitev70r]

As a buyer, what is to prevent seller from blacklisting the phone a few weeks later (as I have read some stories on here as well). Do you at Telus/Provider also transfer ownership to buyer? Of course, if that happened, you got seller info and you can call the cops but that's a lot of hassle.

[mos_skeeto]

I never had an issue selling phones on CL and here. I usually go with the gut thing. If something seems off or if this looks like a pain in the ass I will skip the buyer. Saves a lot of time and work.

Last time I posted an iPhone on CL I had 10 emails in an hour.

[Hondaracer]

Straight up I would not give all my personal info as a buyer, no way.

I met up with this clown off craiglist to sell my 5, 5 was pretty banged up but I was selling it for a good price. So it turns out it's this young kid and his dad (kid is probably 14-16) I meet them at the McDonald's near metro and of course they are late. When they do show up the dad walks up to ME, flash light on his phone on, filming me as they walk up...

Proceeded that the dumbass didn't realize that you needed a nano sim for the 5

After he realized he couldn't test it and wasted both our time I asked the dad a) why are you filming me? And B) if this was a scam, what exactly is filming me going to do if I was to scam you? You don't know my name, email address is a random address I use for spam etc. You don't know my number I text on isn't just some burner ohone?

Said if you're that worried about getting scammed over $200 you probably shouldn't be buying used phones.

[MindBomber]

^how did the buyer respond?

[bcrdukes]

Bring along the Revscene Beatdown Crew. That's your safest bet.

[inv4zn]

I know it's been said, but that does seem like a bit of overkill...if I were buying a phone and the guy asked for my license, I'd probably walk away.

I sold a phone last week on craigslist, guy showed up at my house, tested the phone, paid me in $20's, and that was that.

As long as you use your common sense and look out for some flags going up, it's mostly fine.

[BrRsn]

Originally Posted by Hondaracer

Straight up I would not give all my personal info as a buyer, no way.

I met up with this clown off craiglist to sell my 5, 5 was pretty banged up but I was selling it for a good price. So it turns out it's this young kid and his dad (kid is probably 14-16) I meet them at the McDonald's near metro and of course they are late. When they do show up the dad walks up to ME, flash light on his phone on, filming me as they walk up...

Proceeded that the dumbass didn't realize that you needed a nano sim for the 5

After he realized he couldn't test it and wasted both our time I asked the dad a) why are you filming me? And B) if this was a scam, what exactly is filming me going to do if I was to scam you? You don't know my name, email address is a random address I use for spam etc. You don't know my number I text on isn't just some burner ohone?

Said if you're that worried about getting scammed over $200 you probably shouldn't be buying used phones.

That sounds pretty bad .. almost as bad as making up an entire contract for the sale of a cell phone

[Hondaracer]

Originally Posted by MindBomber

^how did the buyer respond?

He didn't really know what to say, I just got up and left. Luckily I was on my way to the airport or I eould have driven 25 minutes to meet up for nothing.

[cdizzle_996]

I made a seemless sale of a Galaxy S5 this past weekend with a fellow revscene member. He asked for the imei, I told him no problem I'll hand it over with cash in hand.

We met up I had a peice of paper with the imei, my name signed, the date, and price. At the end of the day the purchaser takes the risk of buying a used phone. I had no problem doing that so he's covering his ass. I asked for new bills, the whole process took 5mins.

[v_tec]

Originally Posted by tiger_handheld

counterfeit cash
claims some issue with the phone wants money back with non stop emails

That doesn't protect you from counterfeit cash at all.
You might as well note down every $20 bill's serial number on your contract if you do that.

Better yet, make it a third step.
1) Meet buyer at Telus together
2) Then Apple
3) Then make the buyer go to the bank with you and only let him leave after you deposited your cash


As for constant e-mails, it's not that hard to create a separate junk / non-personal e-mail before selling your phone. Pretty sure most people have a least 3+ emails anyways. If he keeps e-mailing you? Just filter it to spam mail.

[TOS'd]

Sold an iPhone 4 on cl before, met buyer at mcdonalds, tested their simcard, didnt ask for imei, paid in $20s.

bcrdukes was outside in the escape vehicle if shit hit the fan, told him 5 mins, if im not back you know what to do.