There are a few things you should consider before buying a used phone.
Table of Contents
1. Be Mindful Of Black Market Sellers
In this day and age, the internet is home to online frauds in the black market. If you’re buying a used phone, you should proceed with caution as there are blacklist sellers that try and sell stolen merchandise to customers worldwide. The internet is such an easy place to scam and get scammed, so making sure you verify if a phone’s status is stolen or not will be beneficial to you in the long run.
2. Know Your Seller
Are you making your purchase on an online site like www.uptradeit.com or buying from a friend on social media? Or are you meeting up with a complete stranger who placed an advertisement for the newest iPhone online? However you choose to shop for a used phone, it’s imperative that you know your seller. It is helpful to research reviews from online forums to confirm a seller’s authenticity or lack thereof.
3. Seller Behaviors To Be Wary Of When Buying A Used Phone
• Questionable meet-up locations:
If a seller insists on a particularly dodgy meet-up spot or doesn’t allow a meet-up at a location of your choosing, you should take that as a sign to avoid them.
• Persistent selling tactics:
If a seller is dead set on selling you something or making “an offer you can’t refuse”, you might want to think twice before purchasing.
• Extremely low prices:
If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
4. Test Your Product
Before finalizing your purchase of a used phone, you should always test the product to check for any damages or faults. Make sure that you inspect all physical functions like the screen and buttons as well as all internal functions like network connectivity. If a product does not meet your expectations, it’s best to move on.
5. Take Note Of Product Packaging
Does the packaging of the used phone look brand new or is it sealed to the point where you cannot test it? This is usually a good indication that the product is stolen, damaged, or may not be the product at all.
6. Benefits To Buying Used Phones
• Environmentally friendly:
Like plastic waste, e-waste plays a big part in harmful landfill contributions, which is why buying used phones help reduce wastage and help the environment.
• Lower rates:
Because a product has been used, its worth is automatically less, which means you pay less.
• Emergency circumstances:
Accidents happen. Sometimes you make spills or completely misplace your phone. Buying a used phone for emergency replacements can be easier on your wallet.
7. When Buying New May Be Worth It
Buying a brand new phone may be worth it if:
- The original price or deal is more ideal than buying used.
- When you want a longer phone life.
