Meet at a coffee shop or a "Safe Exchange Zone" (many police stations have these).

If the seller refuses to provide the serial number for a coverage check on Apple’s website, walk away.

This is the most important step. Ask the seller directly: "Is the watch unpaired from your phone and removed from your iCloud account?" If it isn't, you won't be able to use it.

Avoid sellers who insist on shipping or paying via Zelle/CashApp before you see the item. Stick to cash in a public place. 4. Safety First