Buying a phone off ebay?Good or Bad Idea?

1. 93

   peeplesposted 9 years ago

   Buying a phone off ebay?Good or Bad Idea?
   
   We are not a new technology family, but are wanting to make some changes. We use prepaid cell phones. I looked on Ebay and it appears there are many good (atleast it looks like it) cell phones for very reasonable prices. Are there positives or negatives buying cell phones on ebay?

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2. 72

   Sami Hansonposted 9 years ago

   Although I have never needed to buy a phone online, I don't think it is a bad idea. Ebay is a great way to score great deals. My advice is to make sure you are buying it in the condition that you want (auction, new, used, refurbished), and when you find something you like, check out the ratings for that specific seller so that you can be sure that they are reliable, and to ensure that you are getting what you're paying for.

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      peeplesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks. I've checked the seller who has sold a ton with a good rating. I guess just nervous about investing onto ebay for more than little stuff.

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3. 88

   MizBejabbersposted 9 years ago

   I have had great luck with the sellers I've used on Ebay. Do select the seller in the top ratings, not just the cheapest. I do have some advice though.
   Be careful to research the phone you want to purchase. I didn't buy from Ebay, but I bought two identical phones from Amazon. I bought the first Samsung phone for myself. It was new and I loved it. I thought Mr. B would like it because it had voice-recognition software, and he can't spell. By the time I bought his, only used and refurbished ones were available, which should have told me something. I paid $50 more for his used than I did for mine new. After one month, his wouldn't hold a charge, so he had to order a new battery. I think it was $40, but it may have been more. Then we discovered that since it was powered by Zune, there would be trouble with updates to the software. I haven't had time to check into this, but Mr. B says that the phones can't be updated. I think he is going to the wrong website, but I guess I will find out.
   The only real problem we have had so far is that we can't text photos, so we have to send them by email. I can't text out of some places and call out of others due to being able to hit a tower. I would say that's the carrier, but his used phone doesn't seem to have some of the problems that my "new" one does. I've checked the settings and they are the same as his.
   Anyway, as I say, research the phone because even with a reliable seller, you may be buying something too obsolete to be of value.

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      peeplesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you We are looking at getting 2 identical phones just different colors however after hearing your experience I may just get one and see how it goes.

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      MizBejabbersposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I've been doing some checking and I'm more convinced that my husband is wrong. Apparently there are two updates available and he doesn't know how to do it. He is a programmer, not an operator. Just buy from someone who allows returns, just in case.

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