be aware when trading or selling phones on craigslist

dezymond

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simple rule I have when selling/buying phones through CL.

The transaction has to happen at a Verizon (or any other carrier) store. There I can check the IMEI, get the phone activated, have witnesses, and be in a safe environment. If anyone refuses to meet me in a Verizon store then I don't even bother.
 

94lt1

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Lol.. every time I suggest that we meet at a vzw store... the people act all weird...its funny..even if I'm the one selling the device...I tell people openly . This way you can get the device activated and on your line asap..and you know you're not being ripped off...they act really strange when you say that.

I guess its because I'm brutally honest.
 

dezymond

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Lol.. every time I suggest that we meet at a vzw store... the people act all weird...its funny..even if I'm the one selling the device...I tell people openly . This way you can get the device activated and on your line asap..and you know you're not being ripped off...they act really strange when you say that.

I guess its because I'm brutally honest.
I've had a few offers who backed out because I said Verizon store only meet. Got a feeling they trying to pay me with some funny money or something.

Gotta be careful and smart about who you deal with on CL. I strictly stick to making deals only in the daytime too (Fall/Winter I make an exception) and choose to meet at the Verizon store at the mall to get these kind of deals done.
 

94lt1

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I hear that... its odd...but caution is never a bad thing on cl...
 
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I found a job one time on cl. I only respond to the ads where they identify themselves, or I can investigate who they are through a listed phone number. I never respond to blind ads. CL is just too scary otherwise. I like the idea about meeting at a provider store. Sounds pretty safe to me.
 

FoxKat

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Lol.. every time I suggest that we meet at a vzw store... the people act all weird...its funny..even if I'm the one selling the device...I tell people openly . This way you can get the device activated and on your line asap..and you know you're not being ripped off...they act really strange when you say that.

I guess its because I'm brutally honest.

Or just brutal... :D

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
 

94lt1

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Shh.. don't tell :)
 

add119

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I never issue with craigslist use common sense.
It like talking to girl u will know who who.
Which person is kinda honest or isnt.


Team DROID
 

add119

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To many look at my signature.
Go with cex.com or nearest one in your city at least with them is store and u dont need to worry about bad esn or robbery happening or worst.

Team DROID
 
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eddiekeyton

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People will try anything to pull one over on you. Its crazy. Someone argued with Verizon just the other day when I was buying a phone for a friend. They tried to tell Verizon that it was a clean ESN and that they've owned the phone since day 1. And Verizon said ummmm this phones been on 8 different accounts. Lol

Sent from my stock Samsung Galaxy S3 - Sapphire Black
 

gadgetrants

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Eddie, thanks, nice thread. A comment and a question:

First, I once put a computer on Amazon, and the buyer is like, "Oh I totally want to buy it for my boyfriend, but he's in Africa. Can you ship it there?" That looked like a red flag, of course I ended up passing on the offer.

Second, the other issue that came up is the buyer wanted to skip Amazon and do Paypal instead. I hear all the time that that move is part of a scam, but if you say, "No shipping until the funds are in my account" isn't that safe? How do Paypal scams work -- is it like a check that bounces a few weeks later?

-Matt
 
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eddiekeyton

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Eddie, thanks, nice thread. A comment and a question:

First, I once put a computer on Amazon, and the buyer is like, "Oh I totally want to buy it for my boyfriend, but he's in Africa. Can you ship it there?" That looked like a red flag, of course I ended up passing on the offer.

Second, the other issue that came up is the buyer wanted to skip Amazon and do Paypal instead. I hear all the time that that move is part of a scam, but if you say, "No shipping until the funds are in my account" isn't that safe? How do Paypal scams work -- is it like a check that bounces a few weeks later?

-Matt

I don't ever deal with buyers who want to skip the internal payment options and go straight to PayPal. That is a huge red flag. Chances are they're using a stolen PayPal. Great job declining the offer(s). Paypal scams normally result from buyers using a stolen PayPal account, or they can simply do a charge back. If you want to keep it safe, only do business inside the USA. Smart move on your end Matt.

Sent from my stock Samsung Galaxy S3 - Sapphire Black
 
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