Have been buying phones on ebay for years, never had a single issue. You need to really check the seller and the phone. I've ONLY bought carrier branded phones and they still work to this day. I've also sold phones as well, so with a video like this, someone would think I'm a scammer because I'm not a _huge_ seller......

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

I know there are honest sellers too yes but there are way more scammers on ebay and nothing protects buyers while sellers are protected or can simply run away, eBay should take some action that is what I am saying so consumers can be safe from scams.

@weili5816

5 жыл бұрын

@@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE Agree, it also happened to me. When I reported it to Ebay, they said they can do nothing about it since it past 30 days return period and pushed me to Paypal. Obviously, Paypal couldn't help me.I was so disappointed with Ebay and never buy anything from Ebay. They should take some action about these cases.

@swaggyg6017

4 жыл бұрын

Yo can u reply, I wana show u a seller and ask ur opinion on it before I buy

@Vampybattie

4 жыл бұрын

How do i find carrier branded sellers

@Periwinkleflower

4 жыл бұрын

Will how do u know if theres a scammer because I want to buy a iphone xr.......

I've been lucky. Hasn't happened to me yet. Only bought 3 or 4 off ebay over the years

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

Yes that's good to hear but it is good to know so you don't get scammed.

@ShadowAussie101

5 жыл бұрын

It's depending on the seller off ebay I've bought serval phones only one has motherboard died my xz1 imei is xz1 as it states on the box so it's hard to tell if it's legit

@HienBuiMobile

4 жыл бұрын

You’re more protected on eBay. Craigslist, Facebook market, OfferUp, and such will take your money and run off.

@IdontKnow-wx5hh

4 жыл бұрын

Who is the seller

@joeslacker1020

3 жыл бұрын

@@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE Will you be able to do Straight Talk on one of the internationally unlocked phones or does it have to be a more well known carrier?

Best thing to do is ask the seller for the imei then call the carrier up to see if it's unlocked, or in a payment plan. If they refuse to give an imei, tell them that you'll take your cash to another person.

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

Doesn't matter if you check IMEI as if seller claims insurance 6 months later IMEI can still be blacklisted. What you need to so is TRANSFER OWNERSHIP at a tmobile store or maybe thru the phone somehow otherwise you risk getting IMEI blacklisted anyways which happened to me as I ALWAYS check IMEI first.

@chumadoshi6987

5 жыл бұрын

Happened to me too. Out 700

@ShadowAussie101

5 жыл бұрын

Imei on the box how do you tell they didn't just give you the legit box with a fake phone that doesn't work espically soby phone that doesn't have manual battery removal

@joeslacker1020

3 жыл бұрын

@@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE They are much less likely to have the insurance on a phone 2+ years old? I want to buy a google pixel 3 XL on there, do you think those would be a safe buy for me?

@simplistic_nick468

Жыл бұрын

Facts you can call and check all you want there is a problem with timing. Just happened to me on a Verizon pixel 6 pro 512gb now I can only use it on TMobile as it has been blacklisted on Verizon

1:30 Next time use a credit card such as American Express Blue. It has a 12 month window to open a chargeback dispute. That's the only way to get a refund in situations like this, sometimes even a police report will be needed.

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

Oh great idea, I forgot about that, yes most American Express cards also protect you.

I mean the easiest way to buy a carrier used phone is to tell them to meet up at the carrier and have the phone switched to your account so it can't be reported stolen.

Hey Max thanks for the shout-out and thanks for mentioning me. Another option for people who are looking to buy a phone that isn't going to get locked down but is on a better budget is buying last year's premium phone that just came off lease from your carrier I bought a Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus for $450 I sold my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge for $420 so essentially I bought my S8 Plus for 30 bucks

First video I've seen of yours Max. Very good. Been researching flipping by buying phones locally and reselling on eBay and what is being taught to the hordes of budding phone flippers out there will make you think more than once about buying one unless it's from a huge reseller like you said. These newbies are listening to how easy it is to make thousands every month buying and reselling bad esn and imei phones without much thought to the consequences for them and their buyer. The more I research the more problems I find with this strategy. It seems to be all about selling a course. hahaha

I think most of the blacklist cases I’ve seen were due to the previous owner not fully paying off the phone since it’s quite easy to get a phone on a low commitment payment plan these days. The blacklisting works the same for that too.

I would agree with you buying an internationally unlocked smartphone is a great option on eBay because if it gets blacklisted UK you won't be affected in the US

Thank you so much. Now know what to do now

one thing you can do like if you're buying a phone on let-go is have that seller meet you at the carrier store to make sure there's no longer insurance on the phone

@quidproquo82

5 жыл бұрын

Good suggestion. But is it possible for them to call in later, buy insurance, and then claim that it was reported stolen or lost?

@stevencorbo1220

5 жыл бұрын

@@quidproquo82 not if you set the phone up on your account in that store that day with insurance on that phone for you

Thanks man and I was thinking of upgrading my Galaxy Note Edge since I am having restart problems.

Weird I have never had an issue buying from ebay or Amazon even yahoo back in the day .

bought the first galaxy s ever as my first smartphone when I was in High school from At&t because I liked the metal build on it. Worked all fine But yeah thanks for the heads up

The thing with many of those sellers is that in description they are based in UK and than parcel is coming from Hong Kong mainly refurbished phones and customos charge you a lot of taxes and obviously you can forget about warranty ot send it back.

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

Interesting I have never paid custom charges but I usualy buy from U.S. buyers anyways.

Max you forgot to mention that sometimes international phones won't work with all U.S carriers. Not everyone knows that.

Hey quick question. Do you Livestream with your LGV20? I don't mean a phone Livestream but like as a Webcam.

Been lucky with the Galaxy Note 5 and HTC One A9 I bought off Ebay. The HTC was well recommended by a KZreadr, whom I trust, that also bought it. The Samsung was a total gamble. Looking back not sure I'd do either again though. Did get taken for a Blu-Ray on Ebay though. Ebay caught it, but it took about 2 weeks before I got my money back.

Thanks for the tips max lee

Great video for everyone to learn,I have only ever bought international phones as I have always known there is no international black list....reshaping,great video max

Supposedly you can contact the carrier after you buy a carrier phone and they will block it from being claimed.

@joeslacker1020

3 жыл бұрын

I don't understand.

So if I live in the U.S. and buy an unlocked phone, will it work fine? and too add, I just have to insert my nano chip to the new phone?

Excellent advice video!

this was very helpful ! i am about to buy a used smartphone this video was a life saver!

The problem with international phones is they do not have a warranty so if they have an issue the OEM will not fix it. Just look at Amazon, all the international phones say no warranty.

Max, can you set up international phone to adopt timobile settings to benefit international tmobile coverage? Or you just use your old timobile phones for that? Reason why i am asking is some international phones wont accept timobile settings to work outside of the country on timobile coverage.

I almost got scammed, just like this, a few years back.

Happened to me twice. Stopped buying carrier phones on ebay and even swappa as it happened once with a swappa bought phone. If I want to buy a carrier phone, I just go and buy it or I ask a buddy with that carrier to buy it for me and give them the cash

I got scammed, the ebay listing for the note 9 was listed as new, unopened. The box was missing any seals, phone looked pristine but on closer examination, the battery had been through 550 charge cycles and despite the phone being black, it thought it was silver. So someone put the internals of an old note 9 into a new shell to palm it off as brand new.

Hey Max, I've had something similar happen, I traded phones with someone in Europe and they had a T-Mobile Galaxy Note 3 (N900T) and it seemed to work fine so I took it, but, months later, when I went to check the IMEI just out of curiosity, it was a blacklisted phone in the US, the owner didn't fully pay for it. Very odd situation haha.

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

Lol yeah it works fine outside U.S. so a lot of smart sellers will buy up all the blacklisted phones in U.S. and sell elsewhere and vice versa. Very good business model actually.

what if the seller say it’s international but will send a carrier branded phone? will ebay check on this?

I have a question. Let's say you buy a sprint phone and it gets black listed. Then you go and unlock it and try going to another carrier or a carrier that uses other major carriers network. Will it still work?? Another question. Why would they do that? Its not like they're gonna make more money if they blacklisted ur phone

What about Unlocked Phones I know Im late to the comments but what are your thoughts on this or even Amazon renewed or refurbished phones ?

That never makes sense to me as to why it would be a scam. The hardware stays in your possession, they are not gaining anything by calling them in lost or stolen, other than if they happen to have insurance on the phone and use the insurance to get a brand new one. Is that what makes it a scam?

Right on, good advice. Maybe you can expand on how to buy International phones and what to look for.

What are the benefits of previous owner to claim months later that their phone is stolen months later? It sounds like the phones ARE stolen from jump. Get the IMEI and check with your carrier before purchasing.

Thanks for the info

I guess I've been lucky when I brought my phone for eBay. I brought him S7 from the seller tiger phones, so far no problem been three and a half months. 🤔

@kyriW2

4 жыл бұрын

Hows the phone now?

If you're going to buy a phone on eBay or Craigslist have the seller meet you at the store the carrier can check to see to make sure the insurance claim has not been put on the phone and can then listed as being sold so an insurance claim cannot be put on the phone

@stevencorbo1220

5 жыл бұрын

yes if you're buying a carrier-branded phone go and meet the person at the carrier make sure there is no insurance policy on the phone and that in front of the carrier you transfer it to your account

@kindsplash21

3 жыл бұрын

How are you gonna meet the person if they way across the country lol also just get the unlocked version.

Max Lee you did not mention in your video that you can request to meet at a carrier store with that person who is selling the phone to you from Craigslist. You can see if the phone is fully paid off or if they are still currently paying for the phone.

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

Oh I did not know that, let me make a follow up video based on your suggestions.

@markedgarrivera5909

5 жыл бұрын

Max Lee No problem. By the way you are one of the best on KZread when it comes to phones and other gadgets. I live in the East Bay near Walnut Creek by the way.

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

Mark Edgar Rivera noice i used to live in lafayette in early 90s went to happy valley elem.

@markedgarrivera5909

5 жыл бұрын

Max Lee I am originally from New York and I love when you meet up with Flossy and make those videos. You guys are awesome together as a team.

@quidproquo82

5 жыл бұрын

That doesn't solve the issue if the person reporting the phone as lost or stolen later to claim insurance. Happens all the time

Nice video max. Thanks

After you buy a phone and put it on your account can it be black listed from the previous owner?

Watch out for the HORSE scam Max! Great video as ALWAYS Richard U.K

Great video, Max! I've bought quite a lot of phones from Craigslist but it was a long time ago (in 2011-2012) and all of them worked fine but I used them overseas. As for the blacklists, there is a great one that just started working in the EU. You can check any phone's IMEI on the official website when you want to buy a phone from Craigslist. It shows if the phone is not blacklisted in the local country or abroad. Not sure if it works only for phones sold in the EU or all over the world.

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

You can check IMEI before buying and it should be fine but the whole problem is that customers claim insurance 3 to 6 months after when IMEI gets blacklisted. But if you buy blacklisted U.S. phone it will work fine in EU as I said in video as U.S. blacklist only works in U.S.

@TechLineHD

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah good point!

Wish I watch this before. I’m watching this on a phone that the guy didn’t finish his payment on, so I can’t even unlock the carrier

Max, thanks for the warning

I got an wish ad with the same music as your intro

I got a phone off amazon it says its a company phone using verizon mdm how do i go about this

Hey dude I need help I’m trying to buy a note 10 plus and please I need some tips

Can we use a t mobile Lg smartphone in India with Indian Sims??

Thanks dude. Was gonna buy an HTC 10 ( Tmo variant ) for $150.... Imma have to do more research

great video Max

Which LG phones are US carrier unlocked?

Lee waiting for your onleplus 6 G cam review.

I was suspicious of a late model open box Verizon phone on ebay, seller had good reviews, but why would an expensive new Verizon phone be on ebay?

There are services out there that will unblack list your phone by fixing the IMEI Also when you buy a phone call the carrier immediately and have them see if its on an account still.

@stallio5612

5 жыл бұрын

I need such service, please suggest a good one

How do can i identify if a seller is a commercial or individual

I want to buy an S7 edge I'm wondering if rubbished is okay ?

Good advice i think , personally , i`d rather pay a bit extra from a well known walk in store/retailer with the runs on the board and know i can get service or warranty any day of the week .

So you can still use it outside of us even if it gets locked

Can you list some of the sellers you would trust and recommend?

@puddlee

4 жыл бұрын

If they are marked as verified seller on eBay

@zion5774

4 жыл бұрын

atPuddle how could u tell if there verified

@calista910

3 жыл бұрын

@@zion5774 yeah let me know to!!

@nevx7416

3 жыл бұрын

@@calista910 if u click on the sellers information, next to their name it should have a golden star

@pinkorange4980

3 жыл бұрын

Sobeonline1, bought s20 plus and galaxy buds plus. Perfect

I just bought my first phone on eBay (an essential ph-1) but Ive bought a few on swappa with great success.. my current LG G6 and A G5 before that a Sony Xa that was dirt cheap..

You might not respond but is a gsm unlocked phone safe to buy?

It is still risky buying phones from sellers with a lot of reviews and items for sale. The seller could be just a middle man and the original owner can still claim lost or stolen phone. It happened to me with a Sprint LG G6. Good thing the seller was very nice and exchanged the phone 3 months after the purchase.

@kylemorrell7138

5 жыл бұрын

palillo2006 very true I bought a T-Mobile LG G2 a few years back from a big ebay seller and when I switched to AT&T I couldn’t bring the phone over because it was permanently locked to T-Mobile.

Lol I bought a phone from eBay that pretty much said the title the thing is should u return it or make for it to get here then return it

I felt sketchy buying those unlocked phones that are "new"

What is the deal with unlocked phones? Are those safe to purchase?

I've bought 7 phones from eBay, no issues so far, but they were really old phones like iPhone 3GS.

+Max Lee "Don't buy from craigslists, because if you buy, you'll cry😭". You really have to be real careful when buying from anyone. Great info Max!!👍...that ending though..cough cough hack hack.

I bought an AT&T Nokia Lumia 1520 last year. Thankfully, the seller is reputable and I do not live in the United States of America. 📱

I’ve bought a few off eBay iPhones and haven’t had any problems. I buy from big carriers. But, I’m also, thankfull.

I have a note 9 from Ebay and it's not us so I can't get a warranty for it

Ayy, I bought an iPhone 8 with T-Mobile on eBay, am I Gucci? Because I already got a backup plan if I did get scammed but just wondering

@onlywoodyy

4 жыл бұрын

SkittlesTM who did u buy it from on eBay?

@puddlee

4 жыл бұрын

I’m wXXD idk

just buy UNLOCKED PHONE, THEN YOU CAN CHECK THE IMEI # whether it's black listed or not or under any contractual agreement !

Just what I have been thinking iam after a pixel 5 there 600 quid brand new and you can get for 500 quid on ebay (barley used one week old keeping my old phone etc etc ) why on earth would you buy phone and not like it I think I will be waiting until they gey marked down in price and get a new one like I usually do

Good Day Sir. I would like to buy on amazon. A Samsung Note9.... Im from Philippines I hope you can help. And what are the phone that I can use here in the Philippines and put a phillipine Sim cards or sum cards. Please help me.Sir what are the type of phones that can be used here in Philippines??

How do you distinguished international from domestic versions? And what's up with google uncertified of your playstore?

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

By the model number. If the listing does not state it, ask the seller first.

Yep! That's why i have a bunch of phones. All the BOGO deals and i just end up keeping the paid off phone. But I won't sell them because people think I'm trying to scam them..

Buy unlocked phones. Those are paid off so cell phone companies don't black list on the contract part. Call your cell provider after getting the phone and ask them to note on your account that you bought the phone so they can revert the black list later on if that happens. If buy on CL, take pictures of the sellers.

I lost $700 on a phone off ebay, i bought a note 10+ that was listed as open box, it lasted 3 months from bobcat wireless..

whats the point of claiming it lost or stolen? will they get another phone from their carrier or what?

@kindsplash21

3 жыл бұрын

Because ebay I think only has you protected for about 6 months and they can tell their carrier they lost it and they will shut your phone off I'm about to get a unlocked phone tho on ebay .

Carrier's can blacklist a unlocked phone

I buy most of my phones on ebay and never had anything like this happen to me

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

This is for prevention. Just because you've never been robbed doesn't mean you shouldn't be ready for robbers.

That outro 🤣🤣

Yeah man good info...

a quick question: How does Amazon protect this kinds of scam?

@Frightmare1

4 жыл бұрын

Refunds.

Or you get stuck with an iPhone that's is cloud locked and there is nothing you can do.

How do you find international phones on ebay?

What would be the reasons why the seller reported them as lost? Their benefits for them to blacklist the phones? Insurance theft coverage?

@jeffscomp

Жыл бұрын

Insurance fraud

What do you mean when you say international phones?

What would be the benefit to the seller to claim the phone lost or stolen 6 months later?

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

They can avoid giving refund to buyer since ebay only covers upto 6 months and also claim insurance and get a new phone.

Now sellers can sell use phones as new phone. They sealed the box back lol

T-mobile phones are so EZ to clean went blacklisted for really small price from 10 to 30 bucks

I've bought an unlocked Nexus 6p off eBay, the only problem was the battery was shot, but I paid $90 for the phone and $15 for the battery so I'm not too salty about it

@BIGMACMCDONALDLEE

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah most used phones need new battery anyways if they were daily driven for few years.

After running into bad delivery (carrier left package in driveway by street, and package was stolen) from multiple sources on Ebay I just realised it was better to just avoid Ebay.

@lane6136

4 жыл бұрын

did you get refund or something?

What about unlocked phones?

I ordered an iPhone 6s Plus on ebay. It came out okay i still use it

Thank you

I don't know how the US works, but in Thr UK you can go to 3rd party sellers like car phone warehouse, that sell on behalf of all the carriers, but all their phones are already unlocked out of trh box. And they are at least the same price as going with a carrier, if not a touch cheaper. With having kids, I always use CPW as it then makes it easier to hand the phones down to my kids after 12 months. Or to sell on etc... No need to go begging the carrier to unlock it. And we don't have carrier logos on our phones, and we don't have carrier names in the notification bars, which I've noticed us phones often do. Which looks unsightly to us that never see that. I think iPhone does do the carrier logo at the top. But I can't be sure. I've not seen an iPhone in about 4 years. Well not held one. My eldest lad had the x, out of my 5, one had to be a disappointment lol love him really, even though only apple will do 😥

Lol good video cause Im just about to buy an S9 and I think I'll buy the unlocked one