Getting a used phone doesn’t have to be overly complicated or stressful. You can get a fairly used phone at a cheap cost and conveniently if you know the best places to buy used phones.
In recent times, especially with the advent of new technologies and stylishly-designed phones with cutting-edge technological features, the price of smartphones has increased significantly and it is no longer uncommon for phones to sell for prices as high as $1,000 or more.
However, thanks to the steadily growing market for used smartphones, it’s pretty easy to get a phone with an amount that won’t strain your pocket.
Fortunately, there are plenty of websites out there that you can buy a used phone for a cheap (or at least friendlier) price.
So, if you intend to know more about the best places to buy used phones for a cheap price, then stick to this writing and be furnished with the information you need.
Table of contents
Is It Safe to Buy A Used Phone?
Buying a used phone should always be done with caution, whether you are shopping online from a private seller or going to a store to purchase a refurbished model.
When buying a phone online, it is important to check that your information is safe and that the seller is reputable.
What are benefits of buying a used cell phone?
Buying a new cell phone comes with a lot of obligations. Of course, the feeling of unboxing your brand-new product is incredible.
However, from that moment on, you worry about damaging it or losing it. In addition, new cell phones often come with two-year contracts and usage restrictions.
These drawbacks are the main reason so many persons choose to look for the best place to buy used phones locally.
Getting second-hand smartphones offers a long list of benefits for consumers. Here are the main ones.
- You save money – Buying a refurbished phone often costs at least 30% less than the original price of the product. In some cases, you can save 50% or even more on used mobile devices.
- You often get more storage – A brand new smartphone with extra storage will always cost more. This is not the case when purchasing a phone with already updated storage space.
- It’s good for the environment – Reuse is one of the cornerstones of protecting the environment. Instead of buying new products, you can use those that others want to sell.
- You can change phones more often – When you pay less for a phone, you feel much more open to changing phones more often.
- Less likely to be stolen – Nobody wants to steal an old model that doesn’t cost a lot of money. So, when you buy used phones you are protecting yourself in a way.
- You’re not that concerned about future damage – you won’t freak out if your phone falls or your display breaks because you didn’t pay a fortune on the device.
What should be considered when buying a used smartphone?
When buying a used cell phone, there are several points to consider.
Condition
What is the condition of the phone? Is it in poor, fair, very good, or like-new condition? Read photos, descriptions, and certifications carefully to make sure you know what you are getting.
Price
Compare the prices of the listed used phone on different websites to ensure you are saving the maximum amount possible.
Warranty
Without question, a used phone should have a guarantee. Find out the details of the manufacturer or store warranty. For example, a refurbished iPhone purchased directly from Apple comes with a one-year warranty.
Activation
Is the phone locked or unlocked? If you buy the phone locked, you may need to take additional steps to unlock the phone. We recommend choosing an unlocked phone that gives you optimal flexibility and allows you to save more by going to a low-cost carrier like Mint SIM or US Mobile.
Best Places to Buy Used Phones
Here are some of the Best Places to Buy Used Phones for a Cheap Price that you can explore when you wish to purchase a used smartphone.
#1. Best Buy
Best Buy is a good place to start. They offer refurbished, open, unlocked, and used phones at great discounts. You can find almost every major freight forwarder, manufacturer and tons of accessories. Everything comes with a guarantee, even if it’s only 90 days.
#2. Gazelle
Gazelle is one of the leading “ReCommerce” sites. The company buys used smartphones and tablets from vendors before testing, certifying and selling the products to consumers at a cheaper price.
Products also receive Gazelle certification, meaning there are no contracts or conditions attached. Additionally, every item has passed a 30-point quality check and, as the cherry on top, buyers have access to a 30-day risk-free return policy.
#3. Swappa
Swappa is a user-to-user marketplace that ensures that only gently used technology is sold to buyers. Not only can you find cheaper prices by eliminating the middleman.
In addition, there are no sales fees, although buyers will have to pay a small fee associated with the sales price.
#4. eBay
With eBay, you can buy (or bid, if you’d like) with confidence if you follow general guidelines and read valid reviews. Always check the used phone seller list for an uploaded original photo of the phone and an authentic, detailed description.
#5. Amazon
With Amazon, you can buy used phones direct from manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola, Apple, Huawei or other local sellers.
Note that phones sold by Amazon are certified and have a 90-day warranty. So, if you find that the product does not match the description or you encounter an error, you can replace the product.
However, the warranty only applies to Amazon certified, refurbished phones. The warranties for other phones vary by manufacturer or seller.
#6. Decluttr
Decluttr is a website that is happy to sell you used telephone inventory. While the range of used phones is far cheaper than what you would pay for a new phone, the prices you pay on Decluttr are slightly higher than the used phone prices offered by eBay or Amazon.
What you get out of Decluttr, however, is free shipping of all technology and 14-day return, guaranteed refurbished quality equipment, and a 12-month limited technology warranty.
#7. Craigslist
Craigslist relies on face-to-face meetings for a cash transaction, which depending on how well you can identify scams – of which there are many – can be a hit or miss.
The main thing Craigslist aims for is size and scale – it’s practically everywhere and there are branches for almost every city in the world.
You can find a used phone on Craigslist, that’s not the problem. The problem is searching through the thousands of entries to find something worth pursuing and making sure that the phone you choose has no underlying damage, or worse, that his IMEI (a unique number that helps identify individual devices) has not been blocked due to theft.
#8. Glyde
Glyde has an interesting business model, somewhere between Swappa and Gazelle. Like Swappa, it’s a user-to-user e-commerce portal.
But like Gazelle, it claims some control over the potential exchange by forcing the seller to use their secure shipping container and only passing payment on to the seller when the buyer receives it. It also promises to refund a disappointed buyer within 72 hours.
Buyers do not pay any additional fees beyond what is stated on the website. However, the stock is limited to iPhones and the last generations of Samsung Galaxy phones.
#9. UpTrade
UpTrade is another great choice if you want to make buying or selling a used phone as easy as possible. If you’re a buyer, just find the phone you’re looking for and UpTrade will show you what it has in stock.
Each listing has hands-on pictures of the exact phone sold, including the UpTrade rep who inspected it and the inspection notes they created.
All phones sold on UpTrade are “UpTrade Certified” which means they go through a 50-point inspection and are cleaned up by UpTrade before shipping to you.
When looking to sell a phone, UpTrade makes things just as rational. Include the model you are selling, its configuration and the condition in which it is in.
UpTrade gives you a quote for how much you will receive and you can then get the full amount within 14 days of the inspection or within 1-2 days of the inspection at the price of a 10% reduction in your payment.
#10. Overstock
Overstock is an online marketplace where you can find pretty much anything. From carpets and furniture to cell phones and electronics, Overstock has it all.
With a single click on the “Refurbished” filter, you can search through all the used telephones presented there. The offer includes best-selling items such as unlocked iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models. Overstock often has sales that can save you extra money on select items.
If you’re lucky, you can spin the Overstock Wheel of Fortune. The prices listed on it include free shipping and hefty discounts.
#11. SellCell
Do you want to compare all sellers in one place? SellCell compares websites like Amazon, DeCluttr, Gazelle, and more.
SellCell is known for buying your phone, but they can also buy a phone. SellCell offers every seller a review by Trust Pilot or Better Business Bureau. They also offer finance.
What to ask before buying a used cell phone
Buying from a trusted website carries some risks with buying a used phone. However, you need to make sure that you will be able to activate and use the phone upon arrival.
The best way to avoid disappointment when buying a used cell phone is to ask the right questions. Here are the things to ask of phone traders before you give them your hard-earned cash.
- Serial Number – Each phone has a serial number (IMEI code). By looking up this code, you can find out if the device has been reported lost or stolen.
- Warranty – Used mobile devices are usually not warranted. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask if the retail store is willing to offer at least a 6-month warranty on the product.
- Is there any water damage? Water damage can be the most serious problem a phone can have. It’s not always easy to spot. So, you should ask both of you and try to see for yourself whether the device has water damage or not.
- Personal Inspection – It is not recommended to purchase a refurbished device without personally inspecting it. Everything looks fine in photos these days;
- Test that all ports are working – Always test all ports and see that they are working properly. Go a step further by checking that the phone is charging properly and insert your SIM card as well.
- Is the phone under contract or lease? Telephones under a contract or lease cannot be reactivated until the agreement is fulfilled. If the seller has a year left on the contract, it will be at least a year before you can activate the phone.
Conclusion
Getting a used phone is much more than figuring out where to buy used iPhone or Android devices. Buying refurbished mobile items is an art that requires knowledge about the best places to buy used phones, a keen eye and commitment. Otherwise, you can easily waste your money on something that is just not worth it.
Always ask the right questions and personally review the product when buying a used phone. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for an extra guarantee and check several places before buying.
Once you master your process of spotting great used phones you will be able to enjoy all of the benefits that come with it.
References
- https://wellkeptwallet.com › Save Money
https://www.nerdwallet.com › blog › utilities › where-to… - https://www.androidcentral.com › – best-places-buy-used.
- https://www.gottabemobile.com › – best-places-to-buy-us
Editor’s Recommendations
