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The Pros And Cons Of Buying A Used Cell Phone From A Retailer

4 April 2017

Mathew Hunter

If you have broken your existing cell phone or are looking for a cheaper alternative than buying new, you may be looking to purchase a used cell phone. When you are looking to do this, you have two options. You can either purchase a used cell phone from a retailer that sells used phones or purchase a used phone from an individual who is selling off their old phone. There are pros and cons to both methods. Learning about these pros and cons can help you decide who to buy your used cell phone from. Here are a couple of the pros and cons of buying a used cell phone from a retailer.

Cons of Buying a Used Cell Phone From a Retailer

The Price of the Cell Phone

The biggest disadvantage to buying a used cell phone from a retailer is the cost. Most retailers tend to sell their used phones for more than a regular person selling off their phone would. This is because they have overhead expenses, such as building rent, utilities, and employee salary that a regular person may not. If budget is the only factor you are considering when purchasing a used phone, buying from an individual may be the best bet for you.

They May Not Have What You Want

The other downside to buying from a retailer is that they may not have the phone you want when you need it. If you broke your phone, you may want to replace it immediately. For example, if you are set on an iPhone 7 in the color pink, and the retailer doesn't have any in stock, you may have to select something different or wait. On the other hand, if you are buying from individuals, you can hop on Internet classified or selling sites, such as Craigslist or eBay, and find all the sellers who have exactly what you want.

Pros of Buying a Used Cell Phone From a Retailer

You Don't Have to Worry About Stolen Phones

One of the upsides to buying a used cell phone from a retailer is that you don't have to worry about buying a stolen phone. If you buy a stolen phone from an individual unknowingly, that phone can be shut off by the carrier once it is reported stolen. This means you have a worthless phone that can't do anything and you are out the money. Retailers run checks for stolen phones. And should they miss something or it be reported stolen later, you can get your money back or exchange it for a different phone.

You Can Ensure the Phone Will Work on Your Network

The last advantage to buying a used cell phone from a retailer is that they can help you find a phone that will work on your network. Some phones are only programed to work with certain networks. If you buy a phone that is programmed like this, and does not work with your network, you're out of luck. Unless you are tech savvy, you likely don't know which phones work with which network. An retailer can help you determine this, ensuring the used phone you select works on your existing network.  

For more information and options, contact a retailer that offers used cell phone sales. 

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