Somebody in a listings app is selling exactly the thing you wanted.
It looks fine in the photos and the price is very good indeed.
You are already imagining it on your desk.
Slow down for ten minutes, because those minutes are the whole deal.
Why is it going so cheap?
There is always a reason, and most reasons are perfectly ordinary.
They upgraded, they moved cities, it was a gift they never used.
Some reasons are less comfortable.
The battery is finished, or the screen has already been replaced.
Water got in, or a repair is due.
Ask directly, in one line: why are you selling it?
A vague answer that changes when you ask again tells you plenty.
What should I ask before I agree to meet?
Do this over chat, before you spend an evening travelling.
Ask for the original invoice, and for a photo of it.
Ask how old it is and whether it was ever repaired.
Ask for the serial number or IMEI, with a photo of the screen showing it.
Ask whether it is still under warranty and in whose name.
Ask what accessories are included, especially the original charger.
Ask them to send a short video of it switching on and running.
If any of this is refused, stop there and keep your evening.
What do I check while the seller is still there?
Meet in daylight, somewhere public, and do not hurry.
Switch it on yourself and let it fully start up.
Check that it is signed out of the previous owner's account, so it is not locked to them.
On an iPhone, the top of Settings must not show their name.
Find My must be off, under Settings -> [name] -> Find My.
Then check battery health, under Settings -> Battery.
Plug in the charger and confirm it actually charges.
Test every port, both speakers, the microphone, Wi-Fi and the cameras.
Tilt the screen against the light and look for cracks and dead pixels.
Confirm the serial number on screen matches the invoice and the box.
What should I get in writing?
Even a chat message counts as writing.
Get the amount, the date, the model and the serial number in one message.
Get a line saying the seller is the owner and the device is not stolen or under finance.
Pay in a way that leaves a record.
Keep the chat and the payment receipt together for a year.
Things to Remember
- Ask for the invoice, age and serial number before agreeing to meet.
- Meet in daylight, in a public place, without hurrying.
- Confirm it is signed out of the old owner's account before paying.
- Test every port, speaker, camera and the charger yourself.
- Get the model, serial number and price in a written message.