With the release of new flagship phones by Apple and Samsung, the competition is on the rise again in the smartphone battle arena. iPhone 8 and 8 Plus went on sale last week and it was a blast. And the Galaxy Note 8 is getting a lot of attention with its many features and capabilities. On the more expensive side, iPhone X(or 10) will be on sale soon, starting at $1,000 USD.
With all these being said, buying a new phone especially the latest ones is a serious decision to make. Upgrading to the latest phone models might be awesome as you’ll be able to get the latest innovations. But a thousand dollar is not a joke! Many people consider trading in their old phones to get the new ones as this is the usual method recommended by most carriers and brands such as Apple. Selling your old phone is still the best option as you can get more dollar in doing so. But selling can also be risky as easy-to-sell items such as phones are an easy target by thefts.
Here are some TIPS that can keep you from becoming a victim of phone thefts.
According to Marguerite Reardon from Cnet.com, selling on Craigslist, Facebook, eBay or an app like OfferUp or LetGo might be risky.
- Check the buyer’s social media profiles.
- Read buyer ratings to see if he or she has a history of successful transactions.
- If something doesn’t feel right about your interactions, listen to your gut and pass on the offer.
Meet during the day, not at night. Also, take a friend along to serve as a witness in case something goes wrong. Arrange a meeting in a public place.
As much as possible, make a deal to receive only cash. Avoid using services such as PayPal. There are scams that work like this: A person buys the item from the seller and then he or she comes to pick it up in person. And then files a complaint saying he/she never received the item. So make sure to have a tracking record and proof of delivery. Also, don’t deal with transactions with the buyer paying in check, it may be fake or forged.