Would you buy a cell phone on Craigslist?

snoozy · #1 09/03/10, 04:03 PM

I love craigslist and get scads of stuff through it. But what about cell phones? Are we talking hot merch that fell off the back of a container ship, or what? Have you bought cell phones off of CL? Did everything function and were you satisfied?

Bandit · #2 09/03/10, 04:06 PM

If You did buy it from CL at least You could check it out , unlike buying it sight un-seen on line from Fee Bay from someone most likely not even in this country .
Bob

Callieslamb · #3 09/03/10, 04:12 PM

We have an extra cell phone in a drawer in a bedroom. If one of our kids' phone dies, it's a good sub until they can buy another. I think for of the 6 have used it at some time or another.

LisaInN.Idaho · #4 09/03/10, 04:18 PM

My daughter bought a cell phone via Craigs List after she dropped hers in the toilet.

It's worked just fine for her.

Gary in ohio · #5 09/03/10, 04:35 PM

I have purchased a cell phone off craigslist.

Depends on the carrier. If your phone has a SIM card then take your working sim card and plug it in to test it. Make sure the buyer has the phone charged. Also most carriers can tell you if you call in if the phone is stolen or not or if the phone has money due on it.

My phone has a sim card so I told the person what I was going to do, he backed out so I assumed it was bad phone or stolen.

Gottabenutz · #6 09/03/10, 04:41 PM

If there is an account balance, the companies (Verizon does) locks the phone so no one can use it until the bill is paid. Check that you can activate the phone before purchase. If so, and the phone is what you want; go for it!

WhiteWillow · #7 09/03/10, 04:47 PM

I bought a phone one time on Ebay. Fee bay as you call it (funny and true). It was a positive experience. Phone worked fine. It was previously used with Verizon and I was using Verizon as well. Buying off Craigslist may be better than Ebay since you should get the chance to talk to the seller in person and make sure that the phone works and can be properly activated.

Mel- · #8 09/04/10, 12:21 AM

I've bought a couple of cell phones off ebay but not CL but only because the prices weren't as good as on ebay.

just make sure the ESN is clear and can be activated. call the provider and they'll give you that info. if it has been reported stolen or if there is a balance due, the ESN will not be clear and can not be activated (in the case of the balance due, it could be activated if you pay it only).

no reason not to buy if it's clear.

**clovis** · #9 09/04/10, 01:15 AM

I bought an ATT phone that used a SIM card. I plugged my SIM card in, and it worked wonders!

I'd definately make sure I was buying a used cell phone from someone in the US, and not a counterfeit phone from Hong Kong.

bloogrssgrl · #10 09/04/10, 05:16 AM

I buy all my phones on Ebay. Mainly becaue I'm cheap and I don't want the phone company tying me into a 2 year contract just for the privilege for paying a reasonable price for a piece of gadgetry. And, I guess, becuase I still generally trust people.

I've never had a problem yet.

agmantoo · #11 09/04/10, 10:08 AM

My last two phones were bought off Craigslist. No problems. You just need to know that the phone will work off your wireless suppliers system.

Common Tator · #12 09/04/10, 10:12 AM

I have bought cell phones on ebay from sellers with high good feedback and high sales volume. It has always been a good experience. I haven't bought a cell phone from craigslist.

WhiteWillow · #13 09/04/10, 12:31 PM

Bloogrssgrl - I agree about the contract part. I have been in a contract with Verizon for years. The tactics they use to entice customers into having a contract are shameful. I just have one question - I get the part about buying a phone on Ebay. But how do you get service? Can you just call up Verizon, for example, and say want plan you want? Do they only have contracts if you buy the phone? Can you get a plan without a contract? I've definitely been doing it the wrong way all these years if that is the case.

FrontPorch · #14 09/04/10, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoozy

I love craigslist and get scads of stuff through it. But what about cell phones? Are we talking hot merch that fell off the back of a container ship, or what? Have you bought cell phones off of CL? Did everything function and were you satisfied?

I can pretty much assure you they are stolen. Huge problem with corporations. When I worked at GM, I headed the telecom department. Shortly after I left there they found one of my former employees, the cell phone administrator, was robbing the place blind taking home cell phones and selling them.

LisaInN.Idaho · #15 09/04/10, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrontPorch

I can pretty much assure you they are stolen. .

Maybe some are but I know lots of people who upgrade and then sell their old phones. My DH sold his over ebay.

LoneStrChic23 · #16 09/04/10, 09:18 PM

I have bought cell phones from Craigslist & on Ebay, and have never had a complaint. I never buy from an ebay seller with less than 100% positive feedback, and I always ask for the phone's ESN #, then call Verizon to make sure the phone can be used without issue. I washed my last Blackberry, fixed it in a ziplock baggy with rice, only to have it run over 2 days later.

Found another on CL for $45 and had a new Blackberry in less than a day... I've been using this one for 8 months now without an issue. I'm all for buying used vs. new if at all possible. As long as you make certain the phone can be used with your carrier, you should be just fine.

Best Wishes,
Crystal
http://noodlevilleadventures.blogspot.com