When did it become ok to sell a phone with installments on it?

[Pascal325]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/gamestop-best-trade-values.2084670/page-2#post-25392732

So, it seems these guys THINK it's okay to sell phones with installments left on them to anyone and not pay them off, but just continue paying them.

Am I wrong here or has something changed? I know it can be looked at as fraud selling a phone that is still owed on and not paying it off. All sites you sell phones too require you to pay the phones off.

So tell me, what is wrong here?

 

[AustinIllini]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/gamestop-best-trade-values.2084670/page-2#post-25392732

So, it seems these guys THINK it's okay to sell phones with installments left on them to anyone and not pay them off, but just continue paying them.

Am I wrong here or has something changed? I know it can be looked at as fraud selling a phone that is still owed on and not paying it off. All sites you sell phones too require you to pay the phones off.

So tell me, what is wrong here?

You can sell things you owe money on because once the phone is in your possession, your business with the carrier/Apple/Google/Samsung is a debt owed. You don't buy a phone when you finance through a carrier, instead you borrow money to buy the phone, but it, and pay back the loan. You sell the phone, the debt is still there and your responsibility.

 

[Pascal325]

You can sell things you owe money on because once the phone is in your possession, your business with the carrier/Apple/Google/Samsung is a debt owed. You sell the phone, the debt is still there and your responsibility.

That is true, BUT, if you don't pay, the phone gets shut off or blacklisted. That is how many buyers get screwed.

 

[AustinIllini]

That is true, BUT, if you don't pay, the phone gets shut off or blacklisted. That is how many buyers get screwed.

Untrue. Unless the phone is stolen, you're unlikely to get your device blacklisted. The money is small enough that Apple/your carrier/whomever will simply destroy your credit and be done with it.

 

[Pascal325]

Sorry, but wrong. I know people this has happened too.

Untrue. Unless the phone is stolen, you're unlikely to get your device blacklisted. The money is small enough that Apple/your carrier/whomever will simply destroy your credit and be done with it.

 

[AustinIllini]

Sorry, but wrong. I know people this has happened too.

There is nothing illegal about selling a phone you owe money on. Have a nice day.

 

[Technarchy]

There is nothing illegal about selling a phone you owe money on. Have a nice day.

It’s not illegal though there is the possibility the carrier could take adverse action on the device if the account holder defaults. They might not, but they also might.

 

[Rum_Becker]

I would expect big discount for buying a phone that still has payments on it just in case I get burned by the blacklist. I know in Canada many people sells phones obtained fraudulently, for example they claim a phone is stolen and use the carriers protection plan and get a new phone. The carrier will automatically blacklist the phone and the person who buys it is screwed.

I don't buy used phones anymore, just to darn risky IMO, unless you know the seller.