Why we NEVER buy second-hand mobile phones from strangers

There are plenty of opportunities to buy a second-hand mobile phone! However, there are also plenty of pitfalls, and many people have bought a second-hand smartphone only to regret it.

To make sure your purchase is a success, you need to pay close attention to a few important factors. So, let’s look at the steps you should follow to avoid… getting caught out!

The right seller

The first -and perhaps most important- factor to consider is where you buy your second-hand mobile phone. If you have found the phone of your dreams online, make sure you check whether the website offering it is trustworthy. After all, even if it actually arrives, you cannot know beforehand what condition it will be in.

So research the seller, read reviews from other users who have bought a second-hand smartphone from the same source, and pay particular attention to the details. Do they accept returns? Is a warranty included? Do they have a support team? Can you contact their technical department if something goes wrong?

Sellers who refuse to accept returns when a phone does not have all the features listed in its description are clearly not trustworthy. Choose websites that allow you to return a faulty product and have it checked by a specialist if it has faults that were not disclosed.

Also, if you have… your eye on an iPhone, it is essential to check that the previous user’s Apple ID has been removed and the phone has been reset to its factory settings. The mobile phone should have been restored to the state it was in when it was brand new and unused! Otherwise, it will be locked and you will not be able to use it.

There are plenty of risks

Buying a second-hand mobile phone from a trustworthy seller is hugely important, as the potential pitfalls go beyond whether it works properly. Buying from unknown private sellers whose only guarantee is... their word can carry many risks. There are plenty of stolen phones on the market, and buying one could land you in trouble.

It may sound far-fetched, but there have even been cases where second-hand mobile phones were bugged! So choose the right seller and, if you are not an expert yourself, ask a friend who knows about mobile phones for a second opinion.

What to check before buying

• Check the device’s outer casing for dents that suggest it has been dropped. Scuffs are less of a concern, up to a point.
• Look carefully at the screen for scratches and test it at maximum brightness. Also, tap all areas of the screen to check that they respond.
• Test all the buttons on the phone.
• Insert a SIM card to make sure the device connects properly to the mobile network (calls and data).
• Test Wifi and Bluetooth.
• Try out the GPS while moving to check that it tracks your movement.
• Play some music and make an audio recording to check that the speaker and microphone work.
• Test the cameras and their main functions.
• Check whether the battery is the original one. If the phone is more than a year old, you will most likely need a new battery.
• Plug the phone in and check that it charges. The charger should be genuine.
• Plug in a pair of headphones to check that the socket works properly.