How to buy 2nd hand mobile phones

Ever thought of buying a used phone lately?

Rule number 1, if you do not know the tips and tricks, stick to brand new phones. Simply because you might end up buying junk with internal problems or worst, battery was replaced with a "class a" material.

So what are the advantages and why should one go for used phone?

1. Price is lower. It should be at least 20% lower on the average depending on the model and release date.
2. Brand new phones tend to depreciate instantly from the time you step out from the phone store.
3. Unit already tested.

Now the tips...

1. Online research. Check your desired phone and compare it with your existing. Add and limit to a maximum of 3 new choices. You may go to my most common phone research site http://www.gsmarena.com Check the current market price new and used value in some online trading sites like ebay, souq, sulit or tipidcp before going to phone markets like Greenhills, St Francis Square or even in Makati Cinema Square.

2. Stay with fame. Consider the common brand so that after sales and repairs will not be an issue.

3. Always hunt for a complete package units. This will eliminate the probability that the phone was stolen or something. Make sure that the accessories are complete and genuine as seen from online reviews.

4. Check the serial. Or IMEI number on the box, back unit behind the battery and from the system itself. Let me know if you want to know the key numbers.

5. Check on the phone life of the unit. Send me a note should you require it.
In this function, you will see how many hours up to the last minute the phone was used. Depending on the model, it will also display its manufacturing date, dates of internal repairs made, if any.

6. Have that instinct on the seller. Never deal with bunch of people trying to pull you. In Greenhills, try to roam around first. and always remember the booth number or location for you might not be able to go back there again.

7. Be on a look out. For some people are also selling their phone to stall owners. This will be a jackpot.

8. Check on the physical appearance. Look for cracks on the corners. This will mean that the phone might have been dropped before or experienced a major collision (like a car).
check also the screen for scratches and unbalanced color displays (dead pixels).

9. Try all the keypads if working well. Remember your typing class? "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" will always be useful in this test.

10. Call a friend. Try to make a call to a friend or to the customer service toll free number of your network. Try to talk with them to see if the receiver and microphones are working.

11. Lastly, make and create suki. So that you know where to go first next time around.

These are the thing i learned from experiences. I was a victim before but now i consider myself an expert through the years that is why i am sharing this with you so you'll have more confindence and idea for smart phone shopping.

Good luck!