iPhone 4S

This is my first purchase since creating the blog. I actually bought it earlier today (like an hour ago). I bought it from Craigslist. The ad goes something a long the lines of.. "perfect condition iphone 4s for Sprint includes otterbox case, charger, and headphones. $180."

I will text the seller if they include a number otherwise I'll usually send them an email asking for their number so you don't go back and forth exchanging emails. Asking for a number also shows your intentions of purchasing the item. The email I sent him went something like this..

"Hey, I'm interested in the iPhone 4S. Do you think you can do $160 for it? Do you have a phone number I can text you at? Thanks."

I just send a quick email and also include a lower price in the first email. I usually bargain now rather than later so I don't waste time. If they don't respond; I move on.

The guy didn't budge with the price but gave me his number. It was still a good deal in my eye so I texted him. Now, after the first step I want to get to know more about the product. I ask him if it comes with the original box (always ask for the box because you can charge a premium when you flip it if you have all the original packaging and accessories) and most importantly I asked if the ESN is clean. If the ESN is clean, that means the phone is not stolen or have been deactivated from non payment of service. ALWAYS make sure you check and not just take their word for it; like actually call Sprint and give them the ESN to look up. I met him at a Sprint store and checked through them and everything was cleared. If you purchase a phone with a bad ESN number, it drastically lowers the value and it can't be used to make calls, texts, or anything provided by the phone network in the U.S. You're pretty much buying an expensive iTouch if you buy a bad ESN phone.

So I'm putting the phone up on eBay with a Buy it Now for $350, which is the higher tier pricing for the phone. I usually do a quick search through eBay's completed auctions to see what I can get for the product. If the item sells for $350, after the eBay and PayPal fees I will end up with 315.55 and then shipping will bring it down to a little over $300. I should hope to make $120 profit from the phone. Let's see how it goes. I will update once it sells.

Summary: Paid $180 for a perfect condition black 16gb iPhone 4S for Sprint with original headphones, charger, and an otterbox case. It's on eBay now for $350.