A Message From iPhones.LA on OfferUp or Marketplace, Explained

If you listed an iPhone, iPad, MacBook or Apple Watch on OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace, you may have heard from us. This page explains who we are, why we reached out, and what happens next, so you can decide with the full picture.

Who we are

We are iPhones.LA, a local buyer based in Long Beach. We buy Apple devices for cash from sellers across Los Angeles and Orange County, and on scheduled weekly runs through the Inland Empire and North San Diego County. You can reach us at (562) 999-4994 by call or text, and every model we buy has its own page on our device values.

Why we messaged you

We messaged you because your listing is a device we buy. Our first message is usually short, often just asking whether the listing is still available. We are not collecting personal details and we are not trying to sell you anything. We want to buy the device you listed.

What we ask next

If it is still available, we ask a few questions so we can price it properly:

• The exact model and storage size.
• Whether it is unlocked or tied to a carrier, and whether it is paid off.
• Whether there are any cracks or damage on the screen or the back.
• The battery health percentage, which is in Settings, Battery, Battery Health & Charging.

If the listing has a price, we may ask whether you are firm on it. If it does not, we may ask for your best price. Then we make an offer in cash, provided everything checks out in person.

How the sale works from there

If you accept, we set up a time and a place.

• Near our Long Beach office, where we are normally from 9 AM to 5 PM.
• A public place near you, such as a police station, an Apple Store, or a cafe with indoor seating that is open at that time.

In the Inland Empire and North San Diego County, we cover sellers with scheduled weekly meetups and pickups, and a custom meetup is available for a small fee.

Before we meet, we ask for the IMEI so we can run it through a verification service. That protects both of us: you know we checked before driving out, and we know the phone is clean. You will also need to sign out of iCloud and turn off Find My before we pay. This checklist covers it.

When we meet, we look the device over, and if it matches what you told us, you are paid on the spot: cash, or Zelle, Cash App or PayPal.

What we will never ask you for

Marketplace scams usually follow a few patterns, and it helps to know them. We will never ask you for:

• A verification code sent to your phone.
• Your Apple Account password.
• Any payment from you, for any reason.
• Gift cards.

We pay you. You never pay us. If someone who says they are us asks for any of those, it is not us. Call or text (562) 999-4994 to check.

Saying no is fine

If you would rather not sell to us, just say so. We will thank you and leave it there. If you already sold it, let us know; if that sale falls through, we would still be interested. And if someone offers you more than we do, take it. We would tell you the same.

If you are tired of the back-and-forth that comes with a marketplace listing, this guide covers the common problems and how selling to a local buyer compares. How selling to us works walks through every step in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

Is a message from iPhones.LA a scam?

No. We are a local buyer in Long Beach with a public phone number and a website that lists what we pay for every model. We never ask for codes, passwords or payment from you.

Why do you need my IMEI?

We run every IMEI through a verification service before we meet, so there are no surprises on either side. The IMEI is in Settings, General, About, or dial *#06#.

Do I have to drive to Long Beach?

No. We can meet at a public place near you in LA or Orange County, or on a scheduled weekly meetup in the Inland Empire or North San Diego County.

Can I ask for more than your offer?

Yes. Tell us your number and we will tell you honestly what we can do.