How to purchase a reliable second hand phone

It's important to purchase from carefully vetted sellers online when shopping for second hand phones. Surplus database is a great website as it has seller ratings readily available and can help you gauge your chances of having a successful transaction! Most importantly, you can also find seller reviews that will allow you to avoid unscrupulous people.

Keep the Price Realistic

If a price seems too good to be true, chances are that it's a scam! It's important to do your research and get an idea as to how much people are charging for a certain make and model of a phone. Usually, you can comparison shop by looking at similar refurbished phones. Of course, Gum tree has seen its fair share of scammers, so make sure you're only spending money you're not afraid to lose!

Ask the Right Questions

As with any important purchase, it's crucial to ask sellers all the right questions and to make sure that they actually answer them appropriately. First and foremost, when looking at used phones, it's important to ensure the phone hasn't been registered as lost or stolen. In the UK, you can easily check a database for this by getting ahold of the IMEI number. Honest sellers will have no trouble or problem supplying you with the IMEI number attached to the phone.

Is the phone locked? It's wise to know ahead of time if the phone you're looking to purchase is already locked into a wireless carrier. Usually, this is made apparent when you insert your SIM card and the network provider will appear when the phone powers up. If the phone is locked into a provider other than your own, you can still get it unlocked but it's a fee you have to account for. However, if you live in the UK, if the phone is blocked completely, it means it has been stolen and it is illegal to use it.

Lastly, inquire about the battery status of the phone. It is especially important to consider that used phones will more likely than not have a worn out battery. It's best to plan on replacing the battery within a short amount of time after purchase.

Check for Damage

It's not always possible to inspect phones physically for damage, but it's important to ensure that there are no real problems beyond cosmetic wear. Honest sellers will have no problem disclosing the extent of the potential flaws that a phone may have. If the seller points out structural damage, it's best to stay away from the phone because it will malfunction in due time.

Consider Payment Protection

In some instances, the easiest way to pay for your second hand phone is to make the exchange in person via cash. However, this also means that you don't have purchase protection in case something goes wrong. However, if you carry out the transaction online, paying with PayPal ensures that you have extra buyer protection on your side.

Teacher-turned online blogger, Shirley is a full-time backyard homesteader based in Virginia. When she doesn't have her face buried in a book or striding in her garden, she's busy blogging about simple life hacks of the daily life.