Swappa. Yay or Nay?

[ibex333]

So my first experience with Swappa has been absolutely horrible. Bought a phone from a seller with 3 five star ratings. Phone was advertised as in Mint condition with screen and body in "perfect shape".

When phone arrived and I opened the package, I immediately noticed a scratch on the screen. Otherwise the phone was indeed in near perfect condition.

I immediately notified Swappa of the problem that very evening, but they did not lift a finger to help me even though a Swappa mod answered in the sale thread saying Swappa acknowledged the problem. (whatever that means)

Seller turned out to be a stubborn jerk. Claims I scratched the phone, because he shipped it to me in perfect shape. Doesn't make any sense, because there was nothing sharp in the box. Just papers and headphones, charger plug and cable. All in plastic bags. Nothing could have scratched the phone. So clearly he shipped it scratched.

Posted several more times in the sale thread, but Swappa ignored me. Opened up a dispute on Paypal, and seller immediately escalated it into a claim, even though that is not something I was looking to do right away. Basically the guy is acting like he is convinced this is all my fault, and I'm some kind of a con artist who scratched his phone and trying to get money back.

Now paypal is dragging this case for more than a week, asking details from both seller and me. Right now it doesn't look like there's any guarantee they will decide in my favor, even though I have clearly been wronged.

Whatever the outcome will be, the purpose of this thread is to warn everyone here about Swappa - they will not do anything to protect you if you have an issue. That, and also I'd like to hear your experiences with this website.

 

[Crono]

Once a claim has been escalated in Paypal it almost always sides in favor with the buyer unless the buyer hasn't responded to communications. Since it seems you have, you'll probably win.

The problem with buying from individual sellers online is you can't be sure of their trustworthiness, especially if there are only a handful of transactions to go by on. If you really want to avoid the hassle then you really should buy new and from reputable companies. I've never used Swappa before, only have ever used ebay for smartphones and tablets.

 

[sze5003]

I've used swappa to get the phone I'm typing on now. I recommend buying only from sellers with clear pictures. Those with pics of the screen turned on and off, and I usually ask the seller these questions too.

PayPal should resolve your claim though I know that with buyers eBay usually also favors with you if you open the dispute first and give them all the details.

 

[Chocu1a]

I have bought & sold many times on Swappa. Never had any issues. I always post many pictures with very clear description of any marks or damage. I have personally never had an issue with any seller, either.

 

[zerogear]

They're ok, but I find that they're chok full of low-ballers.

 

[Bateluer]

I've also sold multiple phones and tablets through Swappa without any issues, and purchased through the site as well.

When I'm putting up listings, I make sure to take pictures of the device from different angles, on and off, with at least one of the About Device screen.

 

[openwheel]

Nay. Too pricy. Try your luck on craigslist. Also try not to get killed,

 

[ibex333]

Nay. Too pricy. Try your luck on craigslist. Also try not to get killed,

Haha... This is exactly why I never deal with Craigslist. In the past I was actually crazy enough to sell my bicycle there and a keyboard, but I got very very lucky with the buyers who actually happened to be normal people.

 

[maevinj]

I think a lot of people like to lie about the screen condition. I had almost the exact same issue twice buying used phones online from people. I'm just going to stick to new from now on.

 

[Midwayman]

Buyers like the OP are why its a really good idea to refrain from making any claims about cosmetic condition online. People sometimes have some pretty unreasonable expectations about the cosmetic condition of a used device sometimes. I've had the same thing happen but from the other side. Put up pics that included some minor cosmetic issues with the screen. Buyer apparently couldn't be bothered to look at pics before bidding and did a chargeback against me after paypal told him to pound sand.

 

[maevinj]

Buyers like the OP are why its a really good idea to refrain from making any claims about cosmetic condition online. People sometimes have some pretty unreasonable expectations about the cosmetic condition of a used device sometimes. I've had the same thing happen but from the other side. Put up pics that included some minor cosmetic issues with the screen. Buyer apparently couldn't be bothered to look at pics before bidding and did a chargeback against me after paypal told him to pound sand.

If the seller says that the phone is mint and in screen and body are in perfect shape, then it should be. A scratch is not mint/perfect shape and should be noted. Also some scratches don't show up in pictures. One phone I purchased was advertised as no scratches and the pictures back up those claims. However when I received it, it had multiple spots of screen rash on it.

 

[Tom]

Swappa looks like a club for sellers to me. No reason for buyers to support their site.

 

[Chocu1a]

Swappa looks like a club for sellers to me. No reason for buyers to support their site.

There are lots of good deals. It is just like Craigslist, only less chance for getting murdered. Always room for haggling. I always have priced mine competitively. Always sells in 2 days max. I ask what I would pay myself. Always purchase in my price range, too. People will always make a deal.

 

[dbk]

Used it once to sell my GS2.. very easy process. $10 fee to use but you do get some sense of security using it.. unlike eBay.

 

[master7045]

I've sold 2 phones on there and have a iphone 4 up for sale now. Both (I know huge population sample) people who have bought my phones have left positive feedback acknowledging my posts are accurate. I include tons of pictures and will upload any picture a potential buyer asks for since it's so easy. I think it just depends on who you're dealing with.

 

[Midwayman]

If the seller says that the phone is mint and in screen and body are in perfect shape, then it should be. A scratch is not mint/perfect shape and should be noted. Also some scratches don't show up in pictures. One phone I purchased was advertised as no scratches and the pictures back up those claims. However when I received it, it had multiple spots of screen rash on it.

Which is why I say its a good idea to refrain from making claims. There are super anal people out there who think they are getting a new out of the box device for a used price when such claims are made.

 

[Ryan]

I've never had an issue there, but then again, I've tried to take as detailed pictures as possible of anything I have sold. I busted out my SLR to get good macro shots of wear.

I did buy a Nexus tablet once that REEKED of curry. It was in great condition....just took a little while for the smell to wear off.....

 

[Anubis]

i got my phone from swappa (GS4) and it was as described and i had no issues