Would I Make More Money Selling My Phone on Craigslist?

If you’re in the market for a new phone, and your old phone is in pretty good condition, or even if it isn’t, you’re probably thinking about selling it. So where can you sell your old phone?

There are many possibilities where you can sell your cell phone online, and one of the best known is Craigslist. But should you sell your phone on Craigslist? Here are the pros and cons.

Should I Sell My Phone on Craigslist?

If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, you might choose to try to sell your phone on Craigslist. If you’ve used Craigslist before, you know it’s basically like the old classified ads in newspapers, only online.

You put up a listing of what you’ve got for sale or what you’re looking to buy. People in the area see it and contact you through an anonymous e-mail server if they’re interested. The benefits are that you can set your own price, and you are in complete control over the transaction, at least on your end. You can decide whether or not to sell to an interested buyer and for how much, with no third party involvement — other than Craigslist providing the means of communication. But there are some downsides to this.

Dangers of Selling Your Phone on Craigslist

Because Craigslist does not actually broker the sale, they also offer no protections for you. This means you could be vulnerable to scams and thieves. In most cases, you will have to meet the buyer in a designated location to make the transaction. While you will be sure to arrange a public, crowded meeting place, you still run the risk of being robbed, having the buyer short you or trying to renegotiate when you arrive.

If you arrange to mail the phone to someone from Craigslist, you could similarly be scammed by a bad PayPal account or a rubber check. This is not dangerous to you physically, of course, but you could still be out the money for your phone.

There’s also no guarantee you would make more money than you would elsewhere should you sell your phone on Craigslist. You might, but Craigslist buyers often come in with a lowball offer. They know you’re trying to unload your phone, and they’re going to try to get it as cheaply as possible. If you’re not an aggressive seller, you might not get a great price.

Alternatives to Selling Your Phone on Craigslist

One of the best alternatives to selling your phone on Craigslist is using an electronics reseller site like The Whiz Cells. To sell your phone through The Whiz Cells, just visit our website now, indicate what type of phone you’re trying to sell and its condition, and get a price right away. If you’re happy with the price, send in the phone and get paid within 24 hours of us receiving your phone when you use your own packaging. For safety, efficiency and ease of sale, it’s a great alternative to Craigslist.