No matter which generation you’re looking to buy, a brand-new iPhone outright is never the cheap option. Thankfully, there’s a market for used, refurbished and like-new iPhones. If you’re looking to grab an Apple iPhone for a bargain price, but don’t fancy getting stung with a second-hand paperweight, then let us run you through the things you need to know before making the plunge.
How to buy a second-hand, refurbished or used iPhone
Before buying a second-hand iPhone, it’s important to know the dangers associated with it. The most common scam is to buy a stolen phone. Not only is buying a stolen phone a crime, but it could also lead to the phone being locked later down the line. There are several ways to ensure that you’re making a safe investment:
1. Ask for an original receipt or a proof of purchase
Documentation is a good way to determine if the seller is genuine. Whether the seller bought the iPhone from Apple or a third-party seller, they should have the original receipt, even if it’s in an electronic format. Official documentation helps with warranty claims, but will also reassure you that the iPhone is genuine.
2. Check the IMEI number
An IMEI is a unique number that identifies any phone in the world. If it is stolen, the IMEI will be reported to the carrier, and be locked. This means that your SIM will not work with a locked phone, so you’ll want to double check the IMEI in iPhoneox.com to see if it has been reported as lost or stolen.
3. Check the seller’s return policy
Some sellers offer a return policy, which give extra peace of mind. These sellers are often big resellers who have an established brand or shop. You’ll not find private sellers offering a return policy, as there are no laws surrounding the sale of second-hand purchases.
4. Check for an iCloud account, reset and setup the iPhone
Before paying the seller, it is worth turning on the iPhone and making sure that it works. If the phone currently has a SIM inside, it might be a good idea to text and call the phone, to see if it can receive calls and texts. You’ll also want to ensure there is no iCloud account on the iPhone, as this can create a hassle to get it removed without a password and if the seller flat-out refuses to remove it, it would indicate that it is stolen.
5. Always meet in a public place that’s safe
If the seller is honest and isn’t trying to scam you, they won’t feel uncomfortable to meet in a safe and secure location – take a friend along with you to be on the safe side, too. At a coffee shop, a train station or even in front of an Apple store are great places to meet a private seller.
What are the best places to pick up a refurbished or second-hand iPhone?
1. Apple Refurbished Store
At the time of writing, the UK Apple refurbished store doesn’t stock the iPhone just yet, but it is worth keeping in mind, as the US Apple refurbished store does. This might suggest that Apple will some day release refurbished iPhones on its UK site.
2. Amazon, eBay and Gumtree
The safest, most used sites for refurbished or used tech would be Amazon’s marketplace, eBay and Gumtree. Still, you should be wary of buying through these sites, as there are lots of fakes and scams on these sites.
If you’re buying through Amazon or eBay, make sure to check their seller feedback and their join date. This will give you a good indication to see if they’re trustworthy and have had previous interactions with buyers.
When buying through Gumtree, you’ll want to check that the seller is willing to talk to you in person, or if you have to get it posted to you - that you pay through PayPal’s services, which will protect your purchase, giving you that extra bit of security.
3. Other retailers and friends
There are various other repair shops, either around the UK or online that sell refurbished or used iPhones. QuickMobileFix, envirofone, musicMagpie and iPhone Refurbs are among many that can provide you with the service.
However, there is a fourth option which you might have not considered: why not ask your friends, or post on social media such as Facebook to see if anyone has a spare iPhone around the house. Often, people have an old phone but don’t sell it out of laziness or the hassle of selling. If one of your trustworthy friends has an iPhone sitting in a drawer, then you might be able to pick up a real bargain while helping a friend ‘recycle’ their old iPhone.