Whenever an individual suddenly finds himself without a phone, they may not have the money to purchase a new one. Fortunately, it’s always possible to purchase a refurbished or used phone. However, you’ve got to consider particular things before you purchase a used phone at any price.  

 

If your old phone can’t be fixed by a professional Carolina cellphone repair company and you don’t have the money to purchase a brand-new one, here are some tips on purchasing a used phone.  

Your Carrier 

Your phone carrier will often provide a payment plan or discount for a new phone. Though this is not technically a used phone, it is worth thinking about if you do want a new one and you’re low on money. Also, they provide refurbished models. Unfortunately, their prices are quite high. Thus, you will probably have to pay more compared to buying a phone from other sources.  

Craigslist 

You’ve got to proceed with this option at your own risk since Craigslist provides local listings. You’ve got no way of knowing if they’re reliable sources or not. The phone cannot be activated until the end of the contract term if it’s under contract. A lot of these people need cash. Thus, you will not be covered under your PayPal guarantee or credit card protection if there’s an issue. To check to see if it is stolen, you’ve got to ask for the MEID as well. You’ve got to ensure that the phone you purchase has a similar MEID number the seller provided. Also, be ready to accept the loss if it is working fine one day and suddenly fails the other day.  

Also, there are a couple of functions you’ve got to examine. This includes the front-facing cam, the flashlight, the microphone, the speaker, the camera, and much more. If there are issues with those features, it can still be fixed. However, you should balance the cost of fixing it against the cost of buying it.  

eBay 

You will have the benefit of being able to see the rating history of the seller since eBay sellers are rated and eBay also provides a money-back guarantee. Also, it is possible to ask the seller questions about the phone’s condition before buying it. Most of them will make a point to provide high-quality pictures of the flaws in the listing.  

Amazon 

When it comes to refurbished phones sold by manufacturers, Amazon has a 90-day warranty. You’ve got to ensure you buy the refurbished one. Also, various sellers provide various warranties. Thus, you should know who the seller is.  

Ask Friends and Family 

Oftentimes, your family and friends will have an extra device hidden in their drawer somewhere. Typically, these devices have minor issues such as a screen crack. A professional phone repair company can fix that. Thus, you should try asking your family and friends if they’ve got a spare smartphone that you can buy.  

If someone offers you their old device, you’ve got to reset it. Try visiting a phone repair company to ensure you reset properly the device.