I’ve had a Series 4 since it first came out, and it’s been acting up lately. The app list won’t scroll properly, and the crown isn’t working right.
Everything else seems fine. The crown scrolls in the control center and adjusts the volume. The screen responds to touch and scrolling, except in the app list. I’ve been thinking about upgrading since it’s no longer supported for WatchOS.
I was browsing the FB Marketplace, mainly looking at Series 9 watches because I’m on a budget. But then I thought, why not check Series 10 prices? I found a cell phone shop selling a GPS 46mm Series 10 for $350. I decided to check it out, planning to look at the serial number, check the warranty, and try to negotiate the price.
When I checked the serial number on Apple’s site, it said it hadn’t been registered and needed activation through a cell carrier. That was odd since it was advertised as GPS, but I didn’t say anything. I talked them down to $280 cash with a 6-month warranty and bought it. It looks real and has all the correct markings. I paired it with my phone, and it had an update that installed without any issues. I activated it with my cell carrier and immediately checked the serial number on Apple’s site again.
Now it says purchased 02/16/2025, has a full warranty, and I could even add AppleCare+!
I can’t believe it! It’s a real Cellular Series 10, and I got it for only $280!
It’s possible someone bought the watch with a fraudulent phone plan. The trick goes like this - buy items on a phone plan using stolen ID, then sell the watch. If the bill doesn’t get paid, the IMEI gets locked after a while. Keep your receipts just in case it stops working. You might have some options through the shop where you bought it.
@Arlo
From what I’ve seen, cellular Apple Watches don’t hold their value well. Someone might have just wanted to sell it quickly if they didn’t like it.
@Arlo
That happened to a phone I bought on eBay. The seller waited a few months, and then the phone was bricked. I couldn’t get a refund, but my carrier helped me out and replaced it.
Gentry said:
Wow, awesome find! I’ve been looking on FB market but couldn’t find anything under $450. I ended up buying a 4-month-old Ultra 2 for $350.
