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USED CELL PHONES
Buy Used Cell Phones Online
When you buy used cell phones, or refurbished
cell phones there are quite a few things you should pay attention
to. Firstly, with used cell phones, it is important for you to
verify the Electronic Serial Number (ESN), which helps to identify
the phone and where the minutes of that phone are billed. This
allows you to check if the phone was stolen or if there was an
unpaid balance on the phone. While you are verifying the ESN with
the service provider, explain that you want to buy a used phone
and want to ensure that that phone is compatible with the carrier.
The carrier will also need to clear the previous owner’s
name and register you as the new user of the phone.
The savings from buying used cell phones are great. For instance
a new phone selling retail for $199 could be available used or
refurbished for approximately $59. Obviously it depends on the
phone model and its condition but regardless it still saves you
a lot of money.
When buying used cell phones or even buying a new cell phone
without a plan, we recommend you to buy an unlocked cell phone.
Unlocked phones are typically compatible with all service providers
with the same technology. This will allow you keep using your
existing phone when switching carriers. Although service providers
do not want you to have unlocked phones, you can get your phone
unlocked for a small fee.
Used vs Refurbished
The difference between buying used cell phones and refurbished
cell phones differs on the origin of the phones. Used phones are
in other words second hand cell phones whereas refurbished cell
phones are returned phones from dealers/consumers to the manufacturer
due to damage or for other reasons. Regardless these refurbished
cell phones are checked for defect and if needed repaired and
cleaned up.
I would personally recommend buying refurbished phones rather
than buying used phones because of the added quality check before
the phone sold. The refurbished cell phone is practically used
and the cost compared to a used cell phone is very similar.
So with that said if you may wonder why people buy used / refurbished
cell phones one of them may apply to yourself as you are on this
page.
- To replace your lost phone
- For use with a prepaid service
- To use as an emergency phone
- To use as spare parts for your existing phone
- To use with your family plan, where you can't get all phones
for the reduced price even with a contract
With the web as a new media to search for virtually everything,
its also the best place to buy used cell phones. I would recommend
better-established websites. The best place would be to try eBay
stores since they have better protection policies from being scammed.
The links listed below are categorized by the compatibility of
the used cell phones or refurbished cell phones with the service.
This just makes it easier for you to find the right phone for
your service.
So I hope you benefit from these links and good luck on your search!
Is Your Cell Phone Locking You Up?
If your cell phone can only be used by one provider, it is considered
an locked cell phone. Usually the cell phones
that come together in a wireless service package are locked to
the same service provider. In doing so, the service provider actually
stops you from signing up with them just to get the phone to use
with another service provider.
By having unlocked cell phones, it offers you more flexibility
and most importantly choice. The most common reason people choose
to buy unlocked cell phones is that they have a wider selection
of cell phones to choose from. Usually specials and deals offered
by local service providers only give you a small selection of
phones to choose from.
By getting an unlocked cell phone, you have a much larger choice
of phones and also the chance to get the newest released phones
from the manufacturer that service providers usually don’t
offer.
Another advantage of unlocked cell phones is that you could easily
switch to another service provider and at the same time use the
same phone with the new service provider. Since you can use your
phone again you’ll save money; not having to replace your
phone. Apart from the money you save, if you have an unlocked
GSM cell phone and travel internationally you would be able to
use the SIM card/ service plan of the local service provider. |
