If there is something that performs well in the second-hand market, it is Apple products. iPhones hold a higher value than Android phones, and something very similar happens with Macs (not to mention that their price increases a lot when they become collector’s items).
But as sometimes happens with the rest of the second-hand product, you have to be careful when you go to buy an Apple product in services like Wallapop. We must be attentive to any clue that may indicate that they are selling us, for example, a stolen iPhone. We’ll see What quick checks you can do when buying a used Apple product to avoid upsets.
Tips to keep in mind before buying
Wallapop allows you to receive the purchase of the device in two ways: in person by meeting with the seller or receiving it at home with its logistics service. In either case, before the sale, keep the following in mind:
- Check the reliability of the seller. The risk is lower when the person selling it to you has a good history of positive reviews. It also does not mean that you do not have to trust someone who sells their Mac, iPad or iPhone for the first time on the service, but at the level of trust it is a good filter.
- It is also a good sign that in the product photographs you can see the box or its accessories if they are included.
- On the product page, look for the reason the seller is offering the device. If you have an iPhone 13 in perfect condition, why are you selling it? What reason is there? A simple “I’m selling it because I want to buy the iPhone 14 Pro” solves many unknowns.
- Check that the product don’t be too stale for your needs. Wallapop is full of iPad 2 models, for example, that are barely useful anymore.
What checks can you do as soon as you receive the device in your hands?
- First of all: that the product box is sealed does not mean anything. Today it is not difficult for an individual to seal it in plastic.
- The most important: Turn it on. An iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac should be able to turn on (so you can check that it’s really working) and display the first-time setup wizard.
- If that assistant appears on your screen, go through it a few steps (choose the language, the Wi-Fi network and the country in which you live) until you find the step that asks you if you want to configure it as a new terminal or from a copy. Getting there confirms that the phone is not owned by anyone and has been successfully unlocked.
- If the device boots like nothing without wizard, at least make sure that you are signed out of the Apple ID and hard reset the device.
- If the seller has assured you that the battery has a certain percentage of health, it does not hurt to check it.
- If your device has a SIM card slot, check that there is no SIM card inside. The seller may have forgotten to remove it.
- If charging cables are included with the product, it is not a bad idea to check that they work.
- Finally, check that the external state of the device is what the seller has promised you. if you see any pronounced bump or dent be careful: that may have compromised the battery.