Precautions To Take While Buying A Used Phone

Buying a used phone is a great way to save some money. This is especially true if you find a phone that is relatively less old (like one year old) as the value of old phones drops dramatically every time a new model is launched.

With that said, there have been many incidents where unsuspecting buyers have been scammed by sellers with malicious intent.

Such scams can take many forms, from selling a fake phone to not revealing all the faults and shortcomings of a device.

For this reason, those purchasing used phones should be extremely careful.

In this article, we will be listing out the steps you can take to ensure you get your money’s worth while purchasing a used phone:

Verify The IMEI Number

The IMEI number of a mobile device is the unique number that is given to each device. It is a 15 digit code that is displayed on the packaging of the device and can also be found inside the device by dialing *#06# on the dial pad.

By entering the IMEI number into a free IMEI checker tool, you can check if the device has been blacklisted. If it is, that can mean one of two things. One, the device is stolen or was reported lost and two, the owner of the device has not honoured their contract with their mobile service provider.

Whatever the case may be, a blacklisted IMEI number means that the device is as good as broken. Therefore, it is advisable to ask the seller to share the IMEI number of the device before the sale is concluded. Moreover, it is also recommended to re verify the IMEI number when you are assessing the physical condition of the phone.

If a seller does not cooperate with your requests, it is better to walk away.

Perform An Exhaustive Check Of The Physical Condition And Functioning Of The Device

Some devices have problems that are not instantly visible or apparent. Many scammers take advantage of this fact to sell their faulty devices at premium prices. Hence, it is your job as a customer to conduct a thorough checkup of the device you are about to purchase.

To do this, it is recommended that you try using the phone for a stretch of twenty minutes. During this time, try to use as many features of the device as you can. This includes:

  • Connecting to the wifi
  • Connecting to a Bluetooth device
  • Trying to play music through headphones (to check the audio jack and the headphones, if included with the phone)
  • Trying to charge the phone
  • Noticing the rate of battery drainage during the 20 minute test
  • Playing music through speakers
  • Testing the camera
  • Trying to open several apps
  • Restarting the phone a couple of times
  • Making a phone call
  • Receiving a phone call

This list isn’t exhaustive. Feel free to perform any other tests that you may feel are necessary.

Keep in mind, if the seller does not cooperate, they probably have something they want to hide and it is in your best interest to simply walk away.

Make Sure The Data Is Erased 

This step is actually something that the seller must do to protect their personal data. However, as a buyer, you must also insist that the seller erase all their personal data and log out of all their accounts before handing the phone over to you.

This way, you will be able to protect yourself in case the personal data of the seller is misused by anyone else in the future.

Conclusion

While purchasing a used phone is a great way to save money, not taking enough precautions can actually cost you more money than you are trying to save. We hope these tips will help you purchase a dependable used device in the future.