It is no secret that you can buy just about anything on eBay. But should you be buying a used cell phone from an eBay seller? Are you looking for a cell phone to use with a new or existing contract? Are you looking for a deal to save money on a phone upgrade? When you are looking to purchase a used cell phone to save money on the cost of a new cell phone or a new contract that you don’t want to sign up for, buying phones online is one great way to save money. There are a few things that you want to consider before buying this item over the Internet.
The first thing you want to do when you are considering buying a refurbished Verizon cell phone from eBay is to check out the seller of the cell phone. Is this buyer a company retailer or just someone trying to resell their own phones? Do they have a reputation in their feedback as a used cell phone retailer? If the seller is selling their own handset, you should find out why they are selling their personal phone. Just because the auction is minutes from over and it seems like you could steal this phone for nothing, beware why no one else had bid on it yet.
If you are looking at a refurbished cell phone that does not have a SIM card to operate with a carrier, you need to be concerned about the phones history. CDMA phones don’t require the use of provider SIM cards to work because the serial numbers are tied directly to the service provider for each account. That is to say that if you buy a CDMA phone that has a balance due or has been reported as lost or stolen you will have a hard time getting the phone reactivated. When the service provider tries to reactivate the phone that serial number may come up as unavailable. On the other hand if the phone uses a SIM card for carrying a service provider, your provider will simply install a new SIM card into your used cell phone to establish new service for you.
It is suggested that you do not purchase an “unlocked phone.” Most phones are sold for a particular service provider such as Nextel or AT&T so that are locked to only work for that carrier. An unlocked phone will often have problems with setting up Internet applications or downloading ringtones to your phone. If you want to have a specific model of phone for its features, get the service that phone was designed for as well for best performance.
Finally, when you are going to buy a used cell phone on eBay, make sure to buy a phone that comes with a return policy. The majority of sellers has good intentions and don’t intend to take advantage of their customers. In these cases you will find reasonable return policies for these phones in the event that they arrive with problems to your home. If you do have a reason to return the phone, be kind when emailing the seller to ensure a smooth transaction.
