Any tips for selling old iPhone 5s on ebay safely

Lorian

I'm an experienced Ebay seller, but find myself having to sell a used iPhone 5s on behalf of another family member. don't think its mega valuable.

So I know all the things I need to do regarding shipping method, signature etc but not being an iPhone user I have no idea what to do with the phone to prep it - I'm guessing:

1. Remove SIM
2. Factory Re-set via tunes
3. Record the IMEI
4. Take a photo
5. But then should I re-add it to a new iTunes account or something? does that give me any extra protection?


Anything else? I read the thread near this one about the new boxed 6s scam, but that didn't help much, just worried me more!

Kernow666

maybe better off selling it to one of the places that buy old phones or try local Facebook groups or gumtree


at least your aware of the ebay scams

pulliptears

Try Shpock. I've sold a few old phones on there lately. No fees either

paddyrg

Ebay scams are so common for phones, I'm not sure I'd even bother. And once you factor in ebay and paypal costs, plus the fact your scammer can scam you for upto 6 months, you may find it no bad deal to flog it outright to a secondhand phone shop.

KRDmum

Although personally I do not like selling on the local Facebook pages (too many people want something for nothing), I think for something like an IPhone this would be ideal - local, both parties can check that everything is working order etc and there will not be excessive fees to eBay and PayPal. Gumtree is another option, just watch out for the email from 'a disabled person, who will pay you full asking value but needs a phone to be send by a courier'. Good luck!

mrcol1000

If you try and sell this personally, regardless of if you use Ebay/Facebook/Gumtree you will get the scammers. There are plenty of phones sold without problem, it is just the ones that go wrong are the only ones you hear about.

Selling it direct on Ebay will get you the most money. However it is also the most likely to go wrong. There are plenty of companies that will buy your phone such as Music Magpie etc...However it is unlikely they will pay near the same as will go on Ebay. Really it is up to if you want to take a risk and get the most money or play safe and get less money.

Lorian

Thanks. Wish I hadn't offered to sell it.


I did go to CEX today. Not been in there before. Won't be going again. After matching the best price I was offered by an online company, they "tested" it for an hour and then declared they wouldn't buy it because the fingerprint scanner wasn't working.... even though I set it up and showed them it was, even though I had to figure out how to do it on the spot. And they dropped it on the counter in front of me.


The problem with the online companies like CEX is I'm not sure I trust them either.

shopbot

Realistically eBay will offer the best value for the phone.

I've sold about 5 iPhones and iPads for various family members without incident on eBay. I always make them aware of the fact that if someone does set out to scam me, then there is risk of losing the phone. I'll only sell it for them if they understand the risks.

I think the risk is lessened because you are selling a used phone two generations old. A scammer is likely to go for the latest model unused.

My tips would be:
1. Photograph it really well. With a high resolution camera in good light, ideally on a tripod if you can. That will document the condition of it if you get a claim that it's misdescribed. Make sure you take a close up of any defects.
2. Get a clear photo of the serial and IMEI number on the back case.
3. Get a photo of the screen showing the same from the settings page.
4. Make sure you remove iCloud lock (best to Google this).
5. Over describe any faults or scratches in the item description.
6. Set your buyer preferences to exclude high risk bidders.
7. Sell it as an auction not a BIN.
8. Send it via Special Delivery.
9. I also send an email to the buyer with the serial/IMEI etc of the item when I've dispatched it. I tend to think that if the buyer thinks you are rigorous with your listing/comms etc then it makes you look like less of a soft target if they are going to try a scam.

Hope that helps
SB

bris

Use Gumtree, face to face, cash, no Ebay fees no Paypal fees.


Sure there is a good chance you will get an honest buyer on ebay. But there is also a good chance you will get a scammer, they do tend to target these items.

HHarry

You could try the Classified section on Avforums.com. I've had plenty of success buying and selling in there.

makeyourdaddyproud

BIN with the immediate payment now is the only option. Auction runs the risk of a NPB.

Choose the average of the last 4 close prices based on your condition.