Buying on Swappa is safe and easy.

It's safe because we don't allow junk devices and we review and approve all listings before they can be bought. The verification process includes running ESN checks and requiring the seller to post verification photos to prove device ownership.

While selling on Swappa is free, buyers pay a small sale fee that is already included in the displayed price.

On Swappa we use PayPal for payments because they provide extensive buyer and seller protections. Many (most) sellers require buyers to have a PayPal confirmed shipping address to buy more maximum protections.

What comments are appropriate for listings?
All comments on a listing should be toward the business of buying and selling that ...
Why should I not share my ESN / IMEI / MEID publicly?
We do not allow our sellers to publicly post ESN information because it can unfortunately ...
Why is a listing pending staff review?
Standard listings here on Swappa require a staff member to review and approve the listing ...
What happens if what I get doesn't match what I bought?
First, relax. It sometimes happens even to the best of us. While we know it's ...
What does it mean when a listing has been "reviewed and approved" by Swappa staff?
Swappa aims to review and approve every standard listing posted in our marketplace to evaluate ...
What is a PayPal confirmed address, and why is it important?
A PayPal Confirmed Address is a special status PayPal gives to shipping addresses that match ...
What are verification photos?
A "verification photo" is a low-tech, but effective, anti-fraud measure. By showing the device next ...
Should a SIM card be included with used device sales?
SIM cards are tied to a user's account and are not transferable to another user. ...
How do I cancel a pending payment via PayPal?
If a payment to a seller is still in the "Pending" status, you may be ...
How do I contact a seller?
To contact a seller, just leave a comment on their listing page! This will alert ...
How will I know when the seller ships my device?
After buying a listing, you will be taken to a private "sale page" where you ...
I'm not sure what rooted or ROM'd means. Should I buy a rooted phone?
Rooting is great for a lot of users for a number of reasons, but it ...
Can I use Swappa from India, China, Africa, South America or anywhere else in the world?
Unfortunately, it's pretty unlikely. Most Swappa sellers are in the US (sometimes in the UK ...
What is a Trusted Seller?
A Trusted Seller is a Swappa user who has been identified by our staff as ...
Can I change my shipping address after I've paid with PayPal?
PayPal policy requires the seller ship to the address attached to the PayPal payment to ...
Why do Business Seller listings not require verification photos?
Business Sellers are selected and vetted by Swappa to help ensure high-quality sales with high-quality ...
Why was Additional Verification information requested by Swappa staff?
Occasionally, Swappa staff will request "additional verification" on a new listing. This is an additional ...
What are my payment options when buying and selling?
Currently, Swappa uses PayPal for payments. There a number of reasons why Swappa ...
When should I expect the seller to ship?
Sellers are required to ship the device and provide tracking information within two full business ...
What is a sale fee?
The sale fee is a small amount added to the price of normal listings here ...
Why use PayPal for payments?
PayPal is easy, secure and trusted. PayPal has extensive protections for buyers and sellers that ...
How do I upload photos on a sale page?
To assist in resolving post-sale issues and disagreements, we have provided a photo uploader on ...
What does it mean when a buyer "affirms" their shipping address?
The "Buyer Affirms Address" step is one of the four steps in the sale process ...
Should I file a PayPal dispute against the Swappa sale fee?
No, you should not file a PayPal dispute against Swappa unless you have already directly ...
What happens if a phone sold on Swappa is blacklisted a month or two after sold?
While this is certainly uncommon here on Swappa due to our thorough listing approval process, ...
Can I get a refund for the sale fee?
The sale fee for a sale can be refunded if the sale is void ...
What are Swappa's feedback guidelines for fair star ratings?
Please use the following guidelines for rating the seller after a sale. 5 Stars: ...
What are the procedures that should be followed for a return?
Swappa doesn't like seeing returns, but unfortunately, there are certain times when they're needed. Please ...
What are Swappa's return policies?
Here on Swappa, we allow our sellers to define their own return policies, which can ...
Does the buyer or seller pay shipping costs?
Swappa expects all sellers to include standard domestic shipping cost in their listing price: "Standard ...
What does it mean to Save and / or Hide a listing?
The Save and Hide listing features were implemented to make it even easier for you ...