However, there are still precautions a buyer must take to ensure safe buying on eBay. Most major carriers, like Verizon, lock you into a two-year contract. Things to consider⦠Check that ESN! A refurbished phone is NOT the same as a âsecond-hand phoneâ â one you might buy from eBay, for instance, or Craigâs List. The date on the right-hand side of each search result tells you when the listing closed, so you have a good idea of how much the product you want sold for and when. 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There is no long-term contract, and the user can change carriers any time he wants. If you find a seller with a 95% or above rating, you know they’re trustworthy; if a seller is flaunting a perfect zero like it’s no big deal, you know to stay the heck away. So, selling an unlocked phone gives you a much larger buying audience. If you wanted a Sprint phone, buy a phone that has SPRINT on it. Check the price against eBay history using the advanced search function in the top-right corner of the page (more on that later). Don't fall victimâlearn how to spot them. I bought an Refurbished Also see if that phone ⦠Just make sure you are buying from a seller with a lot of good feedback and make sure to read the description of the item carefully. Yes, you can buy them on eBay in many cases, and you'll probably get a fabulous deal (which is often the very reason for seeking them out on eBay). 2. But before you purchase items from one of these general categories on eBay, you should ask yourself whether it's really worth the risk. Unlocked phones work with any network. You’ll be presented with a scary page of checkboxes and dropdown menus – you can specify everything from your target price range to the duration left on the auction, but we won’t worry too much about that. Follow This Quick Shipping Tutorial for New Sellers, Here Is What Nonprofits Need to Know About Mobile Fundraising, Do Your Homework Before Buying Computers on eBay, Make Money Selling These 10 Seemingly Worthless Things on eBay, 5 Items New Sellers Should Avoid Selling on eBay, The Benefits of Mobile Computing and How Data Is Accessed, Does Your Employee Need a Company Cellphone? Upfront costs may seem more expensive for an unlocked cell phone, because in today's world with all the promotions, a brand new phone as part of a plan seems so cheap. if you buy on ebay, look at their feedback, and in their auction see if they offer a 14 day return, I've never had problems with ebay, if i'm unhappy with an item, I return it but only drawback is you have to pay for the shipping back to the seller. Since 2013, eBay has operated a comprehensive buyer protection programme. It is an excellent website to buy refurbished phones with a detailed comparison. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be intimidated by the mere thought of using eBay. Hereâs what you need to keep in mind. While the used phone ⦠eBay clearly marks Premium sellers with a little gold symbol next to their listings because they offer clear returns policies, speedy delivery, and items that arrive exactly as described. What do you think? Very good condition with a ⦠(An eBay user can have 100% positive feedback, but all of that could be as a buyer, in which case you have no idea if he or she is a good seller). And no, eBay will not refund you. Expert Reviews™ is a registered trade mark. Scammers will use any available platform to trick innocent people out of their money or goods, and eBay is no exception. eBay operates an auction system, which means that prices can vary wildly depending on how far bidding has progressed. Questionable images – if an eBay listing has no image, or uses a stock image that doesn’t represent the item being sold, we would advise you to steer well clear. Copyright © Dennis Publishing Limited 2021. There are scammers on both sides, so you really need to have all your ducks in a row. Alternatively, if you need a burner phone, or you’re strapped for cash, we have a guide to the best budget smartphones. I sell over 1,000 cell phones a year on EBAY and I ALWAYS encourage people to buy a phone that was designed to work with their carrier of choice. Just be aware that the auction system can yield better (cheaper) results. Unlocked phones can be used with most any carrier, which is why unlocked cell phones are sold on eBay. Buying a used phone on eBay is also pretty easy, as long as you do some research on the phones and seller before you commit. eBay is a well-known source for buying anything used and there's a huge selection of phones to be had. Hit that big blue ‘search’ button, and you’ll be directed to a page that looks like this: Every item on that list has already been sold. You can make calls, send texts, use apps, and surf the internet. Ridiculously low prices – this should go without saying, but if a listed item is on offer for a price that looks too good to be true… it probably is. An unlocked phone works just the same as a locked phone. Solved! For everything you need to know to bag yourself a bargain price on your new phone, read on. Believe it or not, there are people who just want a phone to be a phone and don't need apps, texting, or ⦠YOU GUYS are AMAZING! Verizon Cell Phones and Smartphones. If you are a meticulous person who takes care of things, you can get your money back out of an unlocked phone. Luckily, we’re here to guide you toward making a safe and successful phone purchase through eBay. Or, if money is tight, you can use the unlocked phone with prepaid plans, which often have far cheaper rates. Cellular Country. Phone buying advice: Looking at the price of changing the broken screen of mobile phone , repair it or buy a new phone? We have collaborated to create the following guidelines to help you have a safe and successful experience when buying or selling a mobile phone on eBay. In my opinion the best place to buy a phone would be eBay since you have both eBay and PayPal on your side if something goes wrong. This scam is particularly frustrating for us upstanding citizens. Our guide to the best Android or Apple phones can help those of you looking for premium handsets, and if you’re open to compromise, we also have a list of the best mid-range smartphones. Decluttr is a site that will happily sell you its used phone inventory. Feedback, feedback, feedback – obviously, the higher the seller feedback, the more reliable the seller. Advice for selling mobile phones safely on eBay For this eBay scam, the seller will list a normal item, generally with a "buy ⦠Food Items, Spices or Other Consumables Buying any kind of electronic item online can be risky because you are buying it sight unseen and must trust the seller. ⦠Ebay Toll Free 1 805 609 8544 Everything that I order was like brand new, because the staff is very professional they always make sure to mail everything in a great condition. Why Not To Buy A New Phone Just For 5G: Buying new phone, need advice. Aron Hsiao wrote about eBay for The Balance Small Business. We found that the eBay reviews system is far from perfect. Now that you can see exactly how much that Samsung Galaxy Note 9 you’re after usually sells for, you have a couple of choices. Yes, it is safe to buy Refurbished electronics like iPhones, laptops, android phones, TVs, tablets, etc., online in India.Be sure to check if theyâre certified refurbished or not. These devices come with a range of different screen sizes that range from 2 inches to upward of 6 inches. It also opens up the possibility of eBay scams and cons. Is eBay a Good Place to Buy Smartphones? With a variety of plans ranging from basic service to unlimited everything, finding the right phone is an essential part of making the most of your service. eBay stands behind everything sold on the site. eBay Premium Service – if you’ve not heard of a seller, this is your next best bet. The local cell phone store only has a limited selection. To start, you’ll need to hit the advanced search button in the top-right corner of the page. Many sellers are listing mobile phones as "new" or "new, never used" or even "brand new" but upon closer inspection it is clear these are NOT new devices. But, if you have an unlocked iPhone 6, you can sell it to anyone with any plan, and even in other countries. Unlocked phones are cheaper over the life of the phone. Refurb phones are returned phones; it might have had a fault or the user might have sold it back to the network/retailer in order to get an upgrade. Yes, it is safe to buy phones from ebay and it's may be a good choice. First things first: eBay is an online marketplace. The online marketplace has been going strong for more than 20 years, but to many, it remains a bit of an enigma. For Buyers â eBay is very safe. It is convenient because buyers can preview different options, but it can be inconvenient if you don't want to be stuck in a contract. eBay works closely with the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit (a part of the Metropolitan Police Service) to eliminate the sales of such items. Many people buy unlocked phones precisely because they know they'll want an upgrade when the next new model comes out, so they can just resell. I have been buying products off ebay for a few years now. I wonder if there's proof (in this case) that the store actually confiscated the phone and "gave it to the police"? While eBay can be good for hard to find devices and popular devices, prices are usually higher and there are high seller fees. Item description tricks – read the description thoroughly before you buy. With that in mind, to help you falling victim of a scam, here are some of the hallmarks of an untrustworthy (and trustworthy) eBay account. Just recently got a IPHONE SE Rose 16GB for $96. First, you can scour the ‘sold listings’ search results to find eBay Premium sellers that offer prices you like. Their platform combined with PayPalâs protection is one of the safest places for buyers to purchase anything. Learn the Pros and Cons, New and Experienced eBay Sellers Beware of These Scams, The Balance Small Business is part of the. eBay recommends that you contact a seller in the event of any problems, but if you can’t reach a resolution, you can call the eBay helpline, which is open seven days a week from 8am to 10pm. Seller Uses Incorrect Name. Ridiculously low prices â ⦠How to buy a refurbished PS4: What to know before you buy, How to buy a phone from eBay: Avoid scams and find the right smartphone for you with these tips and tricks. Trade-In Value: Some retailers will offer a trade-in credit for your old phone to discount the price of the new one. Buy now from eBay. Unlocked Smartphones. Users can change GSM networks when desired. Along the left-hand side of the page, you’ll see more checkboxes for phone storage sizes, colours and conditions – use these to narrow your search. Great deals! Sure, a smartphone pouch is fine, but do you really want to buy a $2,000 computer on eBay? eBay has thousands of models to choose from, including the newest technology as well as cell phones that are dated but good for people who just want something cheap. Only buy from sellers who have significant experience as a seller. If the seller refuses to accept anything other than a briefcase full of notes, then you know you’ve found something shady. It can be expensive and restricting, because if another deal comes along, you may have to pay a penalty fee to get out of your current contract. should i trust buying a phone over ebay? If you’re having trouble choosing a phone, leave it to us. Being able to use the advanced search function on eBay will save you so much pain in the long run. Usually, the time frame is two years. This is called buying a locked phone, a phone that has a SIM card programmed to only work with a specific carrier. Hopefully, the irony isn’t lost on you. For example: the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, Samsung’s last-generation 6.2in monster of a handset, scored a cool 90% for being “compact”. I actually bought my last phone from eBay and it's work perfectly fine. by: Valaset : Tue Apr 8 08:48:26 2014: I think your first mistake was buying an unlocked phone. eBay has a guarantee that will help you if you get scammed, but it is better not to have to go through the entire dispute process if you don't have to. Cash payments only – purchasing via PayPal will always be the safest option, and we’d strongly recommend never sending a seller cash for obvious reasons. If all else fails, contact the authorities. Advantages of Buying a Cell Phone on eBay, Benefits of Buying Unlocked Cell Phones on eBay, Top Contactless Payment Apps for Small Businesses, How to Donate to Charity From Your Mobile Phone, New to eBay? As the saying goes, though, prevention is better than a cure. It clearly says that it is non-contract and a few of them are not even opened. Just look for buy it now and offers (if you want to throw some numbers around) Usually phones on eBay is cheaper than amazon. All rights reserved. There is no other way to know if a seller is trustworthy besides the rating system. For example, if you are selling an iPhone 6 that is locked to Verizon, the only buyers that would be interested in it are Verizon subscribers. But remember, the main carriers are able to offer phones so cheaply because they will recover the cost through the two-year contract. Seller ratings are always listed next to the seller name. Choosing a trustworthy online store for unlocked phones is no different to the problems you'll face with any online shopping. Believe it or not, there are people who just want a phone to be a phone and don't need apps, texting, or YouTube on their phone. An unlocked phone is one that is basically a free agent. Read the item description thoroughly. If you have a phone with, for instance, Verizon service, and you travel out of the network, you may incur extra charges for communication, or you may not have service at all—not an ideal option if you are traveling on business and need to be able to communicate with colleagues or clients. Buying a new phone. Before you buy a refurbished phone, though, you may need to do a little extra homework. Alternatively, you can return to the eBay home page, and simply continue your search for the perfect handset armed with an understanding of how much you should be paying. Once you’ve found one, simply head to their seller page and hit the heart-shaped ‘save’ button to bookmark their listings. The network, such as Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint, comes with a contract binding the customer to that particular network. eBay has thousands of models to choose from, including the newest technology as well as cell phones that are dated but good for people who just want something cheap. Wouldnât you feel more secure if you gave a couple of hundred more to get a brand new, guaranteed computer on a proper web shop? It does not come with a contract, so you can choose whatever compatible phone carrier you wish to use. eBay involves a lot of trust on behalf of the buyer and the seller, but itâs relatively easy for that trust to be exploited. The online auction site launched in 1995, and scammers have used it ever since. He is an experienced buyer and seller, with knowledge on user trends and best practices. The typical protocol for buying a smartphone is to go to your local cell phone store. First of all, answer this question: do you really need to buy that thing online? Avoiding scams. Existing Relationship: Sometimes, the best place to buy an iPhone is the easiest â and that may be from your current phone company. Buying a new phone from your current company makes for a smooth transition. Buying/selling phones on eBay is a scary proposition at best. Unlocked phones can sell for about 30 percent more than a locked phone. This in turn means that you could end up paying much less than RRP for an item – or equally, much more. Twice is an amazing page where you can buy great dresses for an incredible price. These unlocked smartphones provide you with the means of pairing the phone with your preferred carrier or contract. Many of these retailers host their own eBay accounts – if you’re really not feeling confident enough to trust an unknown seller, this is a great way to gain a little peace of mind. As a Verizon Wireless customer, you can choose from any of a number of great cell phones. That said, there’s also a huge range of retailer accounts on the site – such as Argos or AO – if you prefer to purchase from a familiar brand. You can usually buy a phone for cheaper than in Amazon even in mint condition if you are willing to buy an used phone instead of new. Finally, Newegg and B&H Photo will also likely have competitive prices on unlocked phones. Reading user reviews can be helpful, but the seemingly arbitrary scores out of 100% that eBay gives its products are often a poor representation of the item in question. In other words, you’re predominantly buying goods from real people who set their own prices. There are good sellers ⦠I have purchased one mobile phone and was recently looking to buy another and discovered one must read listing VERY CAREFULLY before buying.. If you arenât in a hurry to make your purchase, try to wait for a good deal from eBay, Amazon, B&H Photo, Woot or Best Buy. This makes the item genuine and states that itâs in good working condition. Decluttr. People who frequently travel love this option, because they can switch to another network when coverage is lacking in the current area. Type the name of your dream smartphone into the box at the very top of the page and then, in the section below (titled ‘search including’), check the ‘sold listings’ box. If youâre open to buying a pre-owned phone, visit Swappa and eBay for reputable listings on used phones in good condition. Most everyone has a smartphone today, or at least a mobile phone. High-street store accounts – a great way to find reliable sellers is to search for high-street names such as Currys PC World and Tesco. Even if it’s a legitimate transaction, do you really want to risk buying from a seller who can’t be bothered to take a photo of the item? It isn't associated with or bound to any specific provider. For Sellers â Not as safe as it is for buyers. You’ll be able to look back through the history of a product you’re interested in and see how much it usually sells for, which means you can track down the best deals with minimal effort. If you don’t like the idea of competing for your dream phone, don’t worry: plenty of eBay listings will offer a ‘buy it now’ price to keep things simple. Meaning a tracking number that shows a confirmed delivery. If you don't get what you ordered, or have trouble with your seller, don't hesitate to open a case on eBay and ask them to step in. At first glance, it’s hard to know who you’re buying from, or where to look for a trustworthy source of new and secondhand stuff. It is how the network makes its money, through the invisible product of cell phone service. Don’t barrel into a purchase just because you think you’ve found an iPhone XR for £50. eBay opens up a new world of used items and can't-miss deals. Some of the phones have been used lightly. ... (and trustworthy) eBay account. If you have a problem with a seller or an item that they sold ⦠I want to buy a phone off ebay that is about $190. How to buy a phone from eBay: What to know before you buy. Some scams involve misleading people with wordplay – for example, a listing titled “Samsung Galaxy S10 box and instructions” might turn out to be literally only the box and instructions. Phone off eBay that is basically a free agent start, you ’ ve not heard a... 20 years, but do you really want to buy a new phone phones are sold eBay! 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