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2 months ago
6 min read
You're scrolling through TikTok and see it: an iPhone 15 Pro Max for 35,000 EGP. The seller shows the phone working, does a quick "test," and promises it's "like new." Thousands of people are commenting "link?" and "how to order?"
It looks legitimate. The price is unbeatable. What could go wrong?
Unfortunately, a lot. Every week, we hear stories from customers who learned the hard way that TikTok phone deals often come with hidden costs — and sometimes, no phone at all.
Here's what you need to know before buying a phone from social media sellers in Egypt.
TikTok has become a massive marketplace in Egypt. Sellers showcase phones with flashy videos, quick demos, and prices that seem too good to pass up. Some are legitimate small businesses. But many are not.
The problem? TikTok has no buyer protection. Unlike established marketplaces, there's no verification process for sellers, no escrow for payments, and no one to help you if something goes wrong.
Most TikTok sellers offer no warranty at all — or a vague "3-day guarantee" that's impossible to enforce. Once you pay and leave, you're on your own.
What happens: You discover a problem a week later. You message the seller. They block you or say "you must have done something to it."
With a legitimate seller: You get 6-12 months warranty and a clear return policy (at Dayra Market: 1-year warranty, 14-day returns).
That incredible price might be incredible for a reason: the phone is stolen. Stolen phones get blacklisted by carriers, meaning they eventually stop working on Egyptian networks.
What happens: The phone works fine for a few weeks. Then suddenly, no signal. You check the IMEI and discover it's reported stolen. You now own an expensive paperweight — and potentially evidence in a crime.
With a legitimate seller: Every phone is checked against blacklist databases before sale.
Some sellers sell phones that are still tied to someone else's Apple ID. They might work initially, but once you reset or update, you're locked out permanently.
What happens: You try to reset the phone or it prompts for an update. Suddenly it's asking for an Apple ID and password you don't have. The seller is unreachable.
With a legitimate seller: iCloud/FMI status is verified before listing. You'll never receive a locked device.
TikTok videos are carefully staged. Sellers show what they want you to see — never the battery health, never the detailed diagnostics, never the water damage indicators.
Common hidden issues:
Battery health at 70% (dies by noon)
Replaced screen with cheap aftermarket copy
Water damage causing slow corrosion
Faulty charging port
Weak cellular signal
Face ID that works "sometimes"
What happens: The phone looked perfect in the video. In person, you notice the screen colors are off, the battery drains fast, or Face ID fails randomly.
With a legitimate seller: Professional diagnostics (like NSYS) catch these issues. At Dayra Market, every phone passes 40+ checks.
Some sellers replace original components with cheap copies, then sell the phone as "original" or "like new." Common swaps include:
Screens (affects display quality and True Tone)
Batteries (affects capacity and safety)
Cameras (affects photo quality)
Back glass (cosmetic but misleading)
What happens: You pay for "original" but get a phone full of third-party parts. Performance suffers, and resale value drops.
With a legitimate seller: Original parts are verified. If parts were replaced, it's disclosed (like in Dayra Box products where we use quality replacement parts).
TikTok transactions usually happen via Vodafone Cash, InstaPay, or cash on delivery with no receipt. This means:
No proof of purchase
No way to dispute charges
No record for warranty claims
No legal recourse if scammed
What happens: You need to prove you bought the phone (for warranty, insurance, or resale). You have nothing but WhatsApp messages that the seller can delete.
With a legitimate seller: You get proper invoices, order confirmations, and documented warranty.
TikTok accounts can be created in minutes and abandoned just as fast. Sellers with complaints simply delete their account and start fresh with a new name.
What happens: You have a problem, you go back to the TikTok page, and... it doesn't exist anymore. The phone number is disconnected. The seller has vanished.
With a legitimate seller: Established businesses have physical presence, registered companies, and reputation to protect.
Yes, some people get lucky. Some TikTok sellers are honest individuals making a living. But you're gambling with tens of thousands of pounds based on a 60-second video.
Ask yourself:
Would you buy a car based on a TikTok video?
Would you send 40,000 EGP to a stranger with no guarantee?
Can you afford to lose that money if something goes wrong?
The phone market in Egypt is full of scammers specifically because phones are expensive and most buyers don't know how to verify them properly.
🚩 Red flags to watch for:
Price is significantly below market (20-30%+ cheaper than everywhere else)
No warranty or only "3-7 days"
Won't show battery health percentage
Won't do a video call to show the phone live
Only accepts non-refundable payment methods
New account with few followers
Comments are turned off or heavily filtered
Pressure tactics ("only 2 left!" "price goes up tomorrow!")
Won't meet in a public place
No physical store or registered business
We understand why TikTok sellers are tempting — everyone wants a good deal. But the best deal isn't the lowest price; it's the best value with the least risk.
At Dayra Market, we offer:
✅ Verified phones — Every device passes 40+ point NSYS inspection
✅ Real warranty — 1 year coverage on all phones
✅ Easy returns — 14 days to return if you're not satisfied
✅ Transparent pricing — See exactly what you're paying for
✅ Battery health displayed — Know the exact percentage before buying
✅ Blacklist checked — We verify every IMEI
✅ iCloud verified — No locked devices, ever
✅ Payment options — Installments via ValU, Aman, Forsa, and more
✅ Paper trail — Proper invoices and documentation
✅ We're not going anywhere — Established business with reputation to protect
That TikTok deal might save you 5,000 EGP today — or cost you 50,000 EGP tomorrow. The math isn't worth it.
When you're spending this much money on a phone, buy from a seller who:
Tests their devices professionally
Offers real warranty and returns
Has something to lose if they cheat you
Your phone is something you use every day, for everything. It's worth buying right.
Ready to shop with confidence? Browse our certified refurbished iPhones and Samsung phones — all with 1-year warranty, 40+ quality checks, and 14-day returns.
