How to Buy a Used Cell Phone

How to Buy a Used Cell Phone

Buying a used cell phone can be a wise choice, if you know how to shop.
Technology is constantly evolving and as a result the markets are flooding with new gadgets at rapid successions. The same goes for mobile phones where the latest device becomes obsolete all too quickly and ends up lying about the house uselessly. For those who do not crave for the latest gadgets and want a phone for just utilitarian purposes, it is a good idea to invest in used mobile phones. Here are a few things however you should keep in mind when you are doing so
Instructions

1. Determine which cell phone provider you'll use.
Many phones are only compatible with certain cell phone providers. Decide what kind of phone you want, which features are important to you and how much you are willing to spend.

2. Check out the return policy.
You want at least 15 days to decide if the purchase was wise. Ask who pays for return shipping. If the shipping is too costly, buy from a different vendor.

3. Get the ESN code number.
Some carriers use CDMA type phones instead of those that use SIM cards. If this is the case, you need to be sure that the ESN is clear. It can be difficult to activate a CDMA phone if the phone's serial number is tied to an account, lost or stolen or has an unpaid balance. If a balance is unpaid, the ESN will eventually be released for new activations within six months of the account being written off. To find out if an ESN is clear, ask for the ESN number on the phone and call the phone carrier. The customer service agents at your phone company can tell you the status of the ESN on that phone.

4. Keep all records of the purchase, in case you have a dispute over the phone.

5. How to Inspect Your Phone After Receiving It In the Mail?

Water Damaged?

The first thing you will want to do after receiving your phone is to open the battery.  Look at the label.  Are the letters clear, and not smudged?  Do you see any signs of water spots?  Many phones even have a small white sticker on the phone beneath the battery and the battery itself.  These stickers will turn red if the phone was exposed to water.  For many brands of phones, such as Siemens, the battery will actually appear swollen if it was exposed to water.

If the phone has water damage, it will affect a variety of things.  The battery will not keep a charge, the keypad stops working, microphones don't carry sound well and reception is affected.  Sometimes there are no signs of water damage except for the charging port, and instead of charging up the battery when plugged in, a charger will actually do the opposite and drain the battery.

If a phone was exposed to liquids, sometimes it will still work.  The problem is that most people turn on their phone right away, as it's wet, to check to make sure it still functions okay.  The combination of a phone powered on and wetness inside the device will actually burn the circuit board.  This cannot be repaired and the phone will be useless unless used for parts.  And once one thing breaks down, other parts of the phone will stop working as well. 

Other damage:

Check how many bars are on the phone for the reception. Is this less than you would normally receive for the area you are in?   Are there any cracks near the antenna, or is the antenna loose?  Do the bars go up and down to indicate an antenna signal that is not connecting properly?

6. What it means if the phone is locked.

Most phones are sold for a carrier such as T-Mobile or Verizon.  The phones are locked to only work with a certain service. 

If you purchase an unlocked GSM phones, which take a SIM card, you might run into trouble when you try to set up your Internet through the device or try to download ringtones, so if these features are important to you it might be best not to purchase an unlocked device.  You also will get better reception if you use a phone that is locked for your carrier.

7. If you need to make a return

It is always best to be courteous with a seller in your first approach.  Always assume they weren't aware of the damaged device and that their intentions were good.  Emailing them back with something like You lied to me and I demand a refund! will only harden their resolve and you will be less likely to have a successful return.  It's best to just report the problem and ask what the procedure is for a return. 

Always inform the seller you are returning the item.  Don't just send it in the mail before finding out what the procedure will be. 
In Conclusion

Buying a brand new phone is a lot like buying a brand new car.  As soon as you drive it off the lot the product you have just purchased has lost significant monetary value. 

Buying a used phone is an EXCELLENT way to save some money, and it makes far more economic sense to buy a used phone than a new one.  The trick is to know how to buy to make sure you don't get stuck with a lemon.