Selling an iphone safely

[ericthelobster]

I seem to have been suffering from an overdose of timewasters in my eBay sales recently; basically buyers fabricating problems with items they've bought, and returning them to me at my expense; as we all know, eBay always sides with the buyer.  (I am just a casual, private seller with a no-returns policy).

I now have a nearly-new iphone I want to sell.   I am quite worried about the safety of this, as phone sales seem to have a high rate of associated fraud.   What can I do to guarantee not getting burned?   My biggest 'worry' is that I'll send the phone fully insured, but the buyer will contact ebay and tell them I have sent them an empty packet, or a piece of wood - whereupon ebay will simply 'refund' them, and the buyer keeps my phone and the cash.  How can I protect against this sort of behaviour?

[carbtec]

I can easily imagine a scenario where some immoral, mouth breathing pond life bottom feeder, will see your nice 'n' shiny & very very expensive iPhone on eBay & instantly work out how to flip it into free money.

They will buy it, get their 100% guaranteed refund, then sell it locally for cash on collection.

Unless you are some kind of wealthy benefactor type of philanthropist that is on a mission to help these trakky bottom wearing oxygen thieves to support their families & nefarious habits then you are the one that can break the almost inevitable cycle.

It is not de rigueur to sell it on eBay. Why don't you sell it locally for cash on collection to minimise the risk, like they would?

[roger_roger_over_and_nowt]

RUN FORREST RUN !!!!

[crg_music]

Unfortunately they seem the most high risk item there is. I agree with the above, better to get 20% less than the risk of giving the phone away for free. Lots of shops will pay pretty well if in good nick but selling local is certainly less risky and will get pretty much the same as ebay. There is probably a buyer within a mile of where you sit.

[monkeyponey]

What do you have for sale out of interest?  I'm 100% genuine and looking for an iPhone. Happy to pay cash & collect if you are in commute distance?

[tressygirl]

Click on the view listings link beside the member's username ID to see any items listed for sale.

Be aware,  cash on collection is no longer allowed.  If an item is listed for collection,  you are required to pay at eBay checkout . 

You then receive a 6 digit QR code, and it's essential to bring this code with you as this is the proof the seller requires, to show the item has been collected.

@monkeyponey 

[ericthelobster · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the replies - how utterly depressing though!  Can't believe it's not beyond the wit of man (or ebay) to solve this, but it would seem not.
I've already sent the phone to a couple of online 'recyclers' but both of them drastically reduced their offers  due to imaginary marks, after I'd sent in the phone to them - obviously hoping I'd just cave and accept.  Not happening, and it's currently being returned again!   Hence I just thought I'd try posting here on the off-chance I'm missing a trick.
I think I'll just try the 'collection only' route.  We'll see what happens!

[4_bathrooms]

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@ericthelobster wrote:

I think I'll just try the 'collection only' route.  We'll see what happens!

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As cash on collection is no longer available as a payment option all buyers now fall under the protective (and often abused) umbrella of eBay's Money Back Guarantee. 

I certainly wouldn't sell a nearly-new iPhone on eBay and I don't recommend you do so either. If you're determined to sell it via eBay I suggest you record the IMEI, serial number etc. and ensure you have a means of reporting the device as being stolen to Apple just in case things go pear-shaped (which they most likely will).  

[m25jet]

If you want to sell an iPhone and sell it safely then eBay certainly isn't a realistic option.  When listing items of this nature it's well worth bearing in mind that eBay tend to strongly favour the buyer in the vast majority of cases.  Therefore if something did go wrong and the buyer started making false Item Not As Described allegations you would more than likely find that no matter how strong your argument against the buyer, trying to convince eBay that you're in the right and attempting to get them to close the case in your favour would be like trying to get blood from a stone.

[johnwash1]

I think you've already received enough good advice, unanimously advising against selling it on ebay, and due to the recent changes banning cash on collection, even advising against local collection.

So instead, list a thick stack of five pound notes, as spares/repair, no returns, for 99p.  Your buyer will open an INAD, and when you get the return, you'll find a piece of wood with nails in it has been sent back.  If your stack was less than the value of the iPhone, at least you've not lost as much as you would have done.

Sorry.  I really do have sympathy for people wanting to sell this kind of thing.  I'm expressing my frustration with how vastly ebay has changed.  15+ years ago I sold several high value items, even a big woodworking machine worth nearly a grand.  I couldn't possibly risk that today and I don't understand why ebay can't see that there needs to be meaningful protection against fraud to keep seller confidence.  Instead it's getting  worse.  Why on earth remove cash on collection?

[lucy_farmer]

'Why on earth remove cash on collection?'

My thoughts exactly.

  What are they trying to achieve with this?  Stopping 'fee evasion'?

For private sellers there are no fees to evade...... I don't get it.

[warren_1979]

Try avforums classified.  You should be able to sell it on there with no hassle and get a good price.

[the-nutwood-collection]

A friend of mine sold an iPhone to an eastern European buyer.  The buyer claimed SNAD.  eBay CS advised my friend to send the money for the shipping cost to have the phone returned.  He sent the money.

The buyer escalated, eBay refunded, He lost the phone and the shipping cost.

If only he'd have asked me before listing it ... but he didn't.  I advised appealing on the basis that, on CS advice, the buyer had received the shipping cost but not returned the item, but eBay refused the appeal.

A very expensive lesson.