While these platforms might offer tempting deals, they are rife with scams, especially in South Africa. Sellers on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and Junk Mail often provide no guarantees, warranties, or come-backs if something goes wrong. You’re essentially buying “as-is,” which means if the phone is faulty, stolen, or doesn’t work as advertised, there’s little to no recourse. It’s a high-risk move, and more often than not, you could end up with a broken or unusable device.