Buy a Used Unlocked Cell Phone

There are many benefits to buying a used, unlocked cell phone; including not having to necessarily commit to a new contractual agreement with your wireless service provider, and not potentially having to pay a higher price for a new, unused cell phone. You can either buy a used, unlocked cell phone in person from a private seller or retail store, which gives you the opportunity to test and inspect the phone, or you can buy a cell phone from the Internet. Although buying a phone online may provide you with a higher number of selections, you will not have the opportunity to physically inspect the phone. When buying a used, unlocked cell phone, you will also need to ensure that the cell phone is compatible with the network of your current service provider.

Steps

General Guidelines

  1. Determine your network type. You will need to buy an unlocked cell phone that is compatible with your current wireless carrier. Cell phones will either reside on a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network.
    • Buy a GSM cell phone if the phones for your carrier require the use of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. Examples of service providers on GSM networks are T-Mobile and ATT.
    • Buy a CDMA cell phone if you use a carrier that does not require the use of SIM card and requires activation using an Electronic Serial Number (ESN). Verizon and Sprint are examples of service providers on CDMA networks.
  2. Determine the network frequency bands needed. Some cell phones may not work internationally, or may only function in certain regions of the world.
    • Choose a phone with the frequency bands of 1900 and 850 if you plan on using the phone primarily in North America.
    • Select a phone with the 1800 and 900 frequency bands if you plan on using the phone in Europe and other regions outside of North America.

Buying In Person

  1. Locate a venue from which to buy the phone. Used, unlocked cell phones can be purchased from local retail stores or shops that sell refurbished devices.
    • Find stores in your area by referring to your local phone directory or by performing an Internet search, using keywords such as "used unlocked cell phones" and the name of your local town or city.
    • Search for cell phones on websites that host local classified ads, such as Craigslist, which will require you to meet up with the seller in person.
  2. Inspect the cell phone for liquid damage. Although the cell phone may not have visible physical damage, the phone may not function properly if it has been exposed to liquid or water.
    • Remove the battery cover and battery from the cell phone.
    • Look for a small, white, round dot or square sticker located on the inside of the phone where the battery normally resides. If the sticker is colored red instead of white, this indicates that the phone has been exposed to liquid.
  3. Test every function on the cell phone before buying. This will allow you to determine if the cell phone functions properly; especially if the venue or seller will not honor a return, refund, exchange, or provide a warranty.
    • Power the cell phone on and test all physical parts of the phone; including the flip or slider features, the battery charger, and antennae, if applicable.
    • Make an outgoing call, send an outgoing text message, test the camera, and the Internet service, if possible. If the seller or a friend is willing to help, have them call you and text you to determine that the incoming services also work.
  4. Verify the seller's policies and warranty details. You may want to familiarize yourself with return and exchange policies in the event you have any problems with the cell phone after buying it.
    • If you are buying the phone from a private seller, ask the person why they are selling the phone to clarify any potential malfunctions or problems the phone may have.

Buying Online

  1. Decide on a website from which to buy the phone. You can buy a used, unlocked cell phone from a variety of online retail stores or buy from an auction website, such as eBay.
    • Perform an Internet search using keywords such as "used unlocked cell phone," then browse unlocked phones on the retail websites that appear in the search results.
  2. Buy from websites with warranties and return policies. Because you will not have the opportunity to inspect or test the phone in person, you may receive a phone that does not function properly.
    • Read and review the buying policies on every website to determine the procedure for returning or exchanging a phone in the event it doesn't function properly.
    • Before you buy a phone from eBay, review the seller's feedback ratings and comments to help you determine if the seller has a positive eBay reputation and if their other buyers have had positive experiences.

Tips

  • If you are buying a CDMA phone, call and activate the phone before paying the seller or leaving the store. Some carriers may not activate the phone if the ESN is faulty or if the previous owner of the phone has unpaid cell phone bills.

Warnings

  • Some unlocked cell phones that originate from other cell phone carriers may not have the correct settings and configurations needed to perform certain tasks; such as connecting to the Internet or sending picture messages. Contact your service provider before buying the phone to verify they can properly configure the settings in the event they do not work.

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Sources and Citations

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