Is it safe to buy a second-hand phone or bike from a stranger online?
It can be, if you see the item in person, pay only when it is in your hands and check that it is not stolen. The risks are an advance paid to a seller who disappears, a stolen phone or vehicle, and a meeting place that is not safe.
For a phone, ask for the original bill and box and check that the phone's serial number matches the bill; for a vehicle, check the RC and that the seller's name matches it. A seller who refuses a meeting, refuses to show documents or needs an advance to "hold" the item is not a seller.
Before you pay
- Meet in a busy public place, in daytime, ideally with a friend.
- Check the item works and matches the photos before any money changes hands.
- Phone: ask for the bill and the box and check that the serial number matches; vehicle: check the RC and the seller's ID against it.
- Pay only in person, after inspection. No advance, no token.
- Keep the seller's number, the listing and a photo of their ID or the RC.
Frequently asked questions
- The seller wants to send the item by courier after I pay. Is that okay?
- Not with a stranger. Either meet in person, or use a platform that holds the payment until you receive the item.
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