11 Things To Do When Buying A Refurbished Phone

by Team Qwikfone Digital Marketing Head

When your smartphone is showing signs that it is about to give up on you, you’re probably browsing the internet to find a replacement device. Although it is still possible to extend the life of your old phone by having it fixed, if you weigh the cost of repairs and getting a new one, you might be better off getting a new one instead. But if you are on a budget, there is one alternative that you should check out which are the refurbished phones.

 

What to Do When Shopping for Refurbished Phones

It doesn’t matter whether you are interested in getting Apple refurbished phones or you want a different brand, there are a few things that you need to do or take into consideration to get the best deal on your purchase.

1. Deal with Reputable Sellers Only.
   Buying manufacturer refurbished phones does help in giving you the confidence that the device that you are getting is professionally done. However, the retail prices are just around 10% off from the original price. However, if you want big savings, then third-party retailers are worth approaching. You can also browse sites for budget-friendly, professionally refurbished smartphones such as:
   
   • Amazon
   • eBay
   • QwikFone
     
     
2. Double Check if It is Factory Unlocked.
   Another thing that you should look into when shopping for refurbished phones is that they should be in factory unlocked condition. Buying one that is locked into a specific carrier seems pointless at this point because you could have bought one from the carrier itself rather than from a third party seller. Why go for a factory unlocked version? This will give you more control over what mobile plan you want based on your usage.
   
   
3. Check Accessories.
   You should also consider whether you will go for refurbished phones that come with accessories or will you just stick with the handset only. If you have your old accessories, like the charger and even headset, then there is no point in getting a unit that comes with accessories, (unless they are free, of course). If you are purchasing one that comes with its accessories, make sure that they are the original brand or that they are made from OEM parts for quality.
   
   
4. Go Over the Unit.
   Stay away from refurbished devices that have flaws on them, such as cracked or chipped screens, scuffed body, and malfunctioning buttons. Although they will be cheaper than the others, they will not last you long plus you will be forced to pay extra just to have the mobile phone repaired. It would be better if you stick with refurbished phones that have a Grade A condition which are in a pristine and like-new state.
   
   
5. Watch Out for Fakes.
   Apple refurbished phones are one of the top selling brands out there which is why it is not surprising that there are would-be sellers who will put up fake units in the market. A good way to determine whether the unit is not the real deal, ask for the IMEI so you can check at the Support Coverage. A real Apple product will show the warranty. Also, you can download programs into the phone to see if they will work or not.
   
   
6. Refurbished and Used are Two Different Things.
   It is not uncommon for people to interchange used and refurbished phones, but these two are quite different from one another. Here’s what you need to know:
   
   • Used. These are smartphones that are sold with all the damages or tell-tale signs that the units have seen better days. You will see scuff marks, chips on the body, or even minute cracks on the display.
   • Refurbished. Refurbished devices usually undergo a strict refurbishing process which includes testing the parts, replacing broken or malfunctioning components, and restoring to factory settings prior to being sold.
     
     
7. Grading.
   One of the things that you need to keep in mind when shopping for third-party or manufacturer refurbished phones is their grading. These are:
   
   • A. This is the highest grade when it comes to refurbished devices. Grade A stands for like-new or pristine units not just in looks but also in their performance.
   • B. Refurbished mobile phones that fall under this category may have slight flaws to it such as scratches and other signs of wear, but they are in good working condition.
   • C. Signs that the unit has been used will be more visible.
   • D. The flaws or damages will be more obvious. Their function is affected.
   
   
8. Damages Caused by Water.
   Mobile phones nowadays are water-resistant for up to a certain degree. When buying a refurbished mobile phone, you should always check for signs that it had been exposed to water. Take a look at the screen, the internal parts, and so on to ensure that they are in tip top shape.
   
   
9. Status.
   Make sure that when you shop for refurbished smartphones that they are not blacklisted. The term blacklisted is placed on handheld devices that have been stolen or are logged as lost. When the refurbished phone is blacklisted, it means that you will not be able to access its contents or use it. If you are buying online, contact the seller and ask for the IMEI or serial number of the unit for you to check its current status. If it has been flagged as blacklisted, then you can look for other options instead.
   
   
10. Battery Status.
    What else should you look into when shopping for Apple refurbished phones or other brands? Do check the battery’s life. Apple smartphones are a bit tricky since their units come with non-removable batteries. However, if you prefer a refurbished Apple device, take a look at the battery. It should not be less than 80% as much as possible.
    
    
11. Storage.
    Do not forget to take into account the phone’s internal storage. You will find that refurbished phones come with different internal storage capacity which will affect the price.

The Perks of Refurbished Phones

Refurbished mobile phones have been getting a lot of attention these days because they offer smartphone users a cheaper alternative to expensive premium devices that we have been seeing today. They come in different brands, designs, styles, and packages too which means that you will have plenty of options to take into account.

What really draws the crowd to buying refurbished models are the perks that come with them which are:

• Affordable Price. The cheap prices make refurbished phones a popular choice nowadays because you can get one in pristine condition over here for up to 33% less the original cost. This is already huge in terms of savings because they are considerably cheaper compared to brand-new.
• Warranty. Another reason why getting a refurbished smartphone is not a bad idea is the warranty that they come with. There are some retailers who will offer up to three months warranty but reputable retailers can give up to 12 months worth of warranty coverage. This means that you can have your refurbished unit repaired or replaced within the given time frame provided that the issues are due to the manufacturer’s fault.
• Return Policy. Sellers of refurbished units offer returns and refunds for up to a month depending on where you will be buying your smartphone. This way, you will be able to test run the product you have bought and if you are not satisfied, you can return it to the seller for a full refund.
• Pay in Installment. There are retailers that do offer installment plans to their customers to make it easier for them to acquire a refurbished device from them. This makes sense since many are on a budget each month. Just make sure that you are purchasing from a seller who has made a reputation for themselves in the industry to ensure that your personal information and accounts will be safe.
• High Quality Accessories. What other perks can you get from buying a smartphone that has been professionally refurbished? How about high quality OEM accessories? You can opt to buy a handset only or go with one that comes with all the accoutrements. If you will go with the latter, make sure that the accessories included are made from high quality parts especially when it comes to the charger to ensure your safety.

Mobile phones are already part and parcel of our daily lives.They make our days more convenient since we can do almost pretty much of our tasks in these compact devices. However, with the premium phones being overpriced for some, finding the next best thing may sound impossible to some. That is until the refurbished phones have become more advanced that they look and work just like they are new.

The good news is that there is no shortage of refurbished units in the market especially online. You just need to weigh your options, the features that they come with, and what perks you will get from the retailer as well. This way, you can choose the best deal that will suit your budget.

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Created on Jan 18th 2021 05:54. Viewed 765 times.

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