Are you in the market for a new phone, tablet, or laptop but don't feel like spending a thousand dollars on a brand-new one? Consider purchasing a used or refurbished device. Here are a few things to consider whether you buy from an individual seller or a business:
Determine Your Needs and Budget
Before you start browsing, it's important to determine what product you need. MacBook for school? iPhone for selfies? Something basic just to call or text? Determine your price range so you can narrow your search to one or two specific devices.
Do Your Research
Look up its technological specifications, reviews, and any known recalls with the manufacturer; this will help you make a more informed decision and avoid surprises later on.
Ask Questions
Ask the seller about the history of the device, and if there are is an iCloud lock or passcode on the device. Note: Do NOT buy a device with an iCloud lock, unless it was the sellers iCloud and is able to remove it. If a seller cannot remove an iCloud account or passcode, the phone is virtually unusable.
Other important things to always check a device for when buying a second-hand device:
- Carrier lock (In iPhones with iOS 14 or later you can easily determine if the device is locked to a specific carrier. Simply go to Settings > General > About > Scroll down to Carrier Lock and if it is unlocked it will say "No Sim Restrictions," and if the device is locked to a specific carrier it will say "Sim locked".
- Battery Health (should be at least 80% or above) This can be located in Settings > Battery > Battery Health.
- Cameras (front and back)
- Speaker
- Microphone
- Keyboard
Find a Reputable Seller
You should typically avoid buying a product from an individual seller, however it isn't always bad. Ultimately, never meet someone at their home or another unsafe, non-public location.
We recommend if you are meeting locally, meet at your local police station's safe exchange zone. If an individual seller doesn't want to meet at a police station, that is an immediate giveaway that there may be an issue with the device, or the seller has ulterior motives.
Search for sellers that offer warranties or return policies to give you peace of mind. At Cellular Dealz, we offer the highest quality products at discounted prices, and all our products are under warranty.
Shop our collection of iPhone, Samsung, or MacBooks.
Set Up and Test the Device
Make sure everything is working as expected, and if you purchased a device from our site, and you are having issues with your purchase, please Contact Us right away so we can work on a resolution asap!
Ultimately, purchasing a used, second hand, or refurbished device can be a great way to save money while still getting an excellent quality product. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth and successful purchase.