Buying iPhone off CraigsList

[fusi0n]

I have bought several phones off craigslist.. But I have learned some things now that is making me kinda uneasy. If I buy a used iPhone 5 from craigslist ad its ATT.. How can I make sure they cant track that iPhone back to my house? I don't want the person using it to stalk me.. Secondly, what about if it gets reported stolen? Am I dead in the water?

[SMELTN]

I have always wondered the same thing

[Sandor]

I'd imagine if you keep a record of the transaction and don't pay with cash then there is a paper trail so to speak

[fusi0n]

They are willing to meet me at the AT&T store and have them activate it..

But, still want to know if they can track me

[Sandor]

They are willing to meet me at the AT&T store and have them activate it..

But, still want to know if they can track me

How would they?

[fusi0n]

They can go to find my iphone, if it was lost or stolen.. It works well because I had to use it

[Brandon H Supervisor]

They can go to find my iphone, if it was lost or stolen.. It works well because I had to use it

does that work even if you flash the phone clean? (never used the feature myself so I'm not sure)

[mattygdot]

does that work even if you flash the phone clean? (never used the feature myself so I'm not sure)

It has to be tied to your Apple ID. If you wipe it the device itself is no longer tied to an Apple ID.

[Davo]

From what I understand, it only works if there is an active Apple ID and iCloud on the device.

[Neu B]

Isn't the serial number registered with that Apple ID?

[srbeen]

track my iphone features is directly tied to your apple account. Unless you leave THEIR account on the phone they CANNOT track the device any longer.

Well, not totally true - Unless they remember the IMEI # and call AT&T and get them to track it, which is a breach of a lot of privacy laws.

As for reporting it stolen, they very well can do that. I had it happen to me and the phone gets banned from the network. Essentially turned into an iPod.

Im sure you could get warranty for the device via apple that would show you and your AT&T account is the rightful owner. The only other way is to get the original purchase reciept, which states you are the rightful owner of that serial/IMEI device. He tries to play games your reciept trumps his complaint.

[SMELTN]

I agree just type up a Bill of Sale and get them to sign it when you purchase the phone. That basically would cover your ass if something happens

[fusi0n]

Thanks Guys!! This is great to know!!

[goretsky Supervisor]

Hello,

One thing to do is to meet in a public place. In the case of this iPhone sale via Craigslist, the buyer and seller agreed to meet at a McDonalds: Couple Shot Meeting Craigslist Buyer

Problem is, they didn't meet inside restaurant, but in the parking lot.

Always go inside the store or restaurant.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

[perochan]

how much cheaper would you get iphone5 over craigslist?? if safety is your consider, then don't deal over craigslist.

i heard best buy is selling iphone5 for $149 and Walmart for $127.

[SMELTN]

how much cheaper would you get iphone5 over craigslist?? if safety is your consider, then don't deal over craigslist.

i heard best buy is selling iphone5 for $149 and Walmart for $127.

But that's with a 2 year contract. If u are buying a phone off Craig's list to begin with its because u don't want the contract.

Just FYI, I sold my black iPhone 5 a little over a month ago on eBay for $700.

[fusi0n]

I have decided to buy a new one..

The guy backed out of meeting me at AT&T and wanted to meet me at Mcdonalds.. I said no.. After more reading on craigslist, someone reported a story very similar to mine and got robbed.. same iphone posting and same Mcdonalds..and changed the meeting place at the last second.. If I get a new one at Best Buy I can get their blacktie, which rocks..

[SMELTN]

WOW, dude sounds like you just got LUCKY to me!! Good call and not doing that. Remember Best Buy price matches, and Walmart have them for $129 right now for the 5. So save yourself 70 bucks

[moloko]

track you how? when you reset the device you have to log back in using your apple id. which would be different than his. What you should be worried about is does it have a clean EIN.

[alphamale]

buying from craigslists is filled with possible trouble. i buy a lot of cell phones for my collection. i find it harder and harder to buy one now. i demand a bill of sale to protect me from a bricked phone in case the idiot reports lost or stolen and very few people want to do that. People will say i have a brand new phone for sale. i say great bring the sales receipt. i bought a skyrocket from a famous photographer without one but i had 3 or 4 emails from them. i also call att (other) and give them the serial before purchase to check if its clean and that tells me at that minute its ok then the bill of sale for the future. if my understanding is correct should the phone be reported they will give you the contact infomration so you can find the person who reported it and work it out.

you could be tracked under those circumstance. always data wipe your new toy first thing