How Does Certain Sellers on eBay and OzBargain Classifieds Sell Data So Cheaply? How Do They Source It?

brisdaz on 29/03/2025 - 15:03
Last edited 29/03/2025 - 15:07

If you go to eBay or OzBargain classifieds one can see data being sold, on a regular basis, as low as 6c/GB and in the past as low as 5c/GB. Normal eBay prices are around 9c to 11c a gigabyte.

Now I know you can buy a $45 Belong starter pack for $20 and for $70 credit get 400GB. That means that one can get a $70 credit monthly Belong data plan of 400GB data for $45 hard cash (data plans don't support referrals). That's still 11.2c/gb which is well above 6c/gb but I guess close to eBay prices but eBay has a high cut for itself.

I asked Microsoft Co-Pilot which was surprisingly generally accurate but had some inaccuracies:

Some sellers on platforms like eBay and OzBargain manage to sell data plans, such as Belong's, at surprisingly low prices due to a few strategies:

  1. Bulk Purchasing: Sellers often buy data plans in large quantities at discounted rates. This allows them to resell at lower prices while still making a profit.

  2. Promotional Offers: They might take advantage of special promotions or discounts offered by providers like Belong, passing on some of the savings to buyers.

  3. Referral Credits: Belong offers referral programs where users earn credits for referring new customers. Sellers might accumulate these credits and use them to subsidize the cost of the data they sell.

  4. Loss Leaders: Some sellers might sell data at a loss initially to build a customer base or gain positive reviews, which can help them sell other products or services at higher margins later.

  5. Unused Data Resale: Belong allows data gifting, so sellers might be reselling unused data from their own plans or from plans they've acquired.

  6. International Arbitrage: In some cases, sellers might exploit differences in pricing or subsidies between countries to offer cheaper rates.

These strategies, combined with the competitive nature of online marketplaces, can lead to surprisingly low prices. If you're considering purchasing from such sellers, it's always a good idea to check their reviews and ensure the legitimacy of the deal. Let me know if you'd like tips on spotting trustworthy sellers!

So what's the secret?

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Comments

  • MS Paint on 29/03/2025 - 15:15

    7. Data obtained illegally: Not everything is as it seems and some people like to brake break laws and obtain money selling stolen goods.

    • tenpercent on 29/03/2025 - 15:27
      +2

      How does one steal mobile data allowance? I'm not sure that it's a thing.

    • eccaz on 29/03/2025 - 17:01
      +1

      That’s a long way off the mark. Telco’s sell large quantities of data at wholesale rates, it then gets marked up slightly and sold on eBay and elsewhere.

      Here’s an article about it - https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/News/Belong-mobil…

      • tenpercent on 29/03/2025 - 17:08
        +1

        Could we group together to buy some wholesale priced data and divvy it up among ourselves according to how much we each invest?

        • eccaz on 30/03/2025 - 00:56
          +1

          Possibly. But that would be a lot of time and effort and trust to save a cent or two per GB.

          6c/GB is a great price for data.

          • tenpercent on 30/03/2025 - 16:32

            @eccaz: The effort must be worth it for the sellers on ebay.

            • eccaz on 02/04/2025 - 13:42

              @tenpercent: Of course it is. Selling it is completely different to coordinating with a bunch of strangers and trusting the one holding the bag, all for a minimal saving.

  • Neoika on 29/03/2025 - 15:20

    Belong sometimes runs double data promotion (that may be not recorded on OZB).

    Don't forget that Belong data never runs out. It can be used at shaped speed so that I don't really see the point of buying them. I would rather have another service(not Belong) activated for fast speed.

  • askbargain on 29/03/2025 - 15:40
    -1

    buy a $45 Belong starter pack for $20 and for $70 credit get 400GB

    400GB data for $45 hard cash

    If you divide $20/400GB you get $0.05 per GB

    Did you take into account self referrals?

    What about 10% gift cards at JB?

    Maybe $10 perks?

    • brisdaz on 29/03/2025 - 16:34

      Thanks for your reply.

      @askbargain:

      If you divide $20/400GB you get $0.05 per GB

      And your point is? The 400GB costs $70 credit and you only get $45 for the best value starter pack. Hence the need to pay $20 + $25 or $45 for the 400GB.

      Did you take into account self referrals?

      I mentioned this in parenthesis - data plans don't have referrals.

      What about 10% gift cards at JB?

      Yes that would make a minor difference but not at the scale that the sellers seem to sell it for.

      Maybe $10 perks?

      I didn't mention this and did think of it but JB Hifi would quickly notice people abusing this perk for this purpose. Maybe in the city where there are more than two stores it would be more productive.

      • askbargain on 30/03/2025 - 12:05
        -1

        They aren't using data plans. Most likely leftovers from bonus data promotions. Perks doesn't work with Belong anymore. Also people sign up to NBN and sell off their $80 credit.

        • wisb0 on 30/03/2025 - 20:04

          still not enough with the volume they're selling. they have thousands of orders mate. They ain't signing up to 1000 NBN plans, making new accounts each time

  • randomusername2017 on 29/03/2025 - 16:33
    +1

    Free $80 packs…

  • McMaferMur on 29/03/2025 - 16:33
    +3

    Q So what's the secret?
    A well its a secret so i cant tell you

    • Neoika on 29/03/2025 - 17:54
      +2

      Your secret was reported here.

  • JIMB0 on 29/03/2025 - 17:16
    -2

    If you know, you know.

  • ChipsChicky on 29/03/2025 - 20:06
    -1

    Secret is people have collected data over years from Starter Sims, Free Sims, buying data from classifieds, getting free data from classifieds etc.

    I even bought at 30c/GB and selling it now will be loss actually.

  • djones145 on 29/03/2025 - 22:54
    +1
    1. new money laundering
      if you cant use the pokies
      pokemon cards and boost data packs are the next best things
  • wisb0 on 30/03/2025 - 01:04
    +1

    fraud

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