Smartphone prices have risen dramatically over the past few years. Smartphones are now selling for as high as $1,000, making it quite an investment to purchase a new phone. It's easy to get rid of the pain caused by rising prices thanks to the ever-growing market for used smartphones. If you are familiar with where to purchase used phones, the used phone market is a great place to save money on your next smartphone purchase. You can also sell your old phones to make it easier to purchase one of the top Android phones. Considerations before buying a used smartphone. We have already discussed how to trade in your Android phone for the best price. To determine if the phone you are buying is in good condition, you should go through the same checklist factory reset, SIM unlock status and original accessories. Also, look at sales history. It's a good idea to start with the basics.
Refurbished phones that have had a "touch up" from the manufacturer or partner (e.g. Verizon, Samsung Amazon Gazelle, Best Buy). Before you shop around, make sure you know what type of phone you are looking for. Although you may get the best deal if you buy directly from the manufacturer or a partner, there is a risk that the phone might have issues the naked eye cannot see. You will be able to buy a used phone directly from an online marketplace such as Swappa, eBay or Craiglist if you have a clear idea of what you are looking for and what you should look out for. Gazelle is a good option if you aren't willing to risk the quality of your phone but don't mind some wear and tear. These phones come with limited warranties and money-back guarantee, which offer buyers a lot more security than the typical "meet at 7-Eleven and hand over some cash" deal. A certified refurbished phone is safer than buying a new one, and it comes with the lowest price. Third-party sellers, retailers, and carriers all sell used phones with different levels of discount and inventory options. These phones may be used but have been checked for their condition before being passed on to you. Refurbished phones offer a certain level of security, but they also come at a higher cost. There are many options available when searching for the best places where to buy a refurbished smartphone. You should also consider your health. You might think twice about buying a used phone from someone else, given the current pandemic. You might be concerned about using a used phone right now. This is because viruses and germs can stick to phones if they are not properly cleaned and sanitized. Although it is understandable to be concerned about the possibility of getting a virus on a used phone, we are here to assure you that there is very little chance of that happening. If you want to reduce the chance of this happening, we suggest that you take some precautions. These are not the only places you can buy a used phone. There are many places where you can buy a used smartphone online. This list might not apply to you depending on where you live (though we tried our best to highlight international markets as much as possible). Gazelle
Source: Gazelle
Gazelle is one the oldest players in used smartphone gaming. Although it has stopped allowing people to trade in their used smartphones online, its business model has not changed. However, it still sells used devices through its online storefront. Gazelle is slower to sell older smartphones online, but the experience is great if you decide to purchase something. Gazelle allows you to choose the condition of your phone (Fair or Good), and Gazelle also inspects every device on its site for defects. You have a 30-day return policy if the phone is not right for you. Gazelle offers two options: you can purchase the phone and pay the entire price upfront, or you can choose to finance your phone with Affirm at 0% interest. Good: All phones come with a charger, are guaranteed to work and have a 30-day money-back guarantee. Bad: Not all phones are sold and may be more expensive than other person-to-person markets. Craigslist
Source: Craigslist
Craigslist relies upon in-person meetings to facilitate cash transactions. This can prove difficult depending on your ability to identify scams, which are numerous. Craigslist's main advantage is its size and global reach. It has communities in almost every major city. Craigslist will allow you to find a used phone. However, the problem lies in the task of going through thousands of listings and finding something that is worth your time. Good: Excellent prices, great availability, and lots of options. You can also buy local to verify condition. Bad: It is difficult to verify the sellers and the quality of the phones. eBay
Source: eBay
eBay is huge and continues to be a top place to buy a used phone. This site has the largest advantage over Craigslist, but it also has few drawbacks. It uses PayPal to make sure that any payments are recalled if there is a problem. eBay offers buyers a powerful filtering system that allows them to search for what they want. This includes filters by price, carrier, color, and even size. eBay is still an auction house. This is why some used phones are still being sold. However, more are sold at fixed prices. Sellers pay eBay to host their listings. All you have to do is locate the right listing and you are off to the races. The best thing about eBay is the Money-Back Guarantee. This, along with extensive seller profiles, allows you to make confident purchases. If there is a problem with your shipment or device, you can request to get your money back. Within reason, eBay will cancel your PayPal transaction or refund you if it has already been processed. You can also filter potential buyers based on seller profiles that are trusted sellers who have been around the block at least once, ten times, or ten thousand time. Good: Many options with verified sellers offering a money back guarantee and buyer protection. Shipping costs can be high and the device may not be visible before you buy. Swappa
Source: Swappa
Swappa was founded as an Android-based phone selling and buying community. It has since grown to include other mobile devices such as iPhones, tablets and Chromebooks. Swappa has a unique fee structure. The buyer pays the fee. The majority of users will pay $20 for the privilege. All payments are made via PayPal which is extremely convenient and secure. A buyer fee is better for sellers and buyers. It encourages sellers to list products on Swappa. This is a great way to increase inventory for a service that heavily relies on participation. Swappa doesn't physically inspect the devices but it does a few things in order to make sure the buyer gets what they paid for. All listings are checked by a human who verifies that the IMEI has validity and can be activated. All listings must have good-quality photos that clearly show any damage, and the quality (fair/good/excellent) should match the photos. Shipping costs are included in the listing price. This should help prevent price gouging after the sale. Swappa uses PayPal to protect all listings. Buyers can get their money back if the device does not arrive as described. Swappa's prices are generally lower than other curated services. Swappa also lists the sales history of similar phones so you can get an accurate price for the phone on the current market. Good: There are many listings that provide clear guidelines regarding quality and reasonable prices. Bad: The buyer pays the fee and there is no guarantee or accessories. Glyde
Source: Glyde
Glyde's business model is somewhere between Swappa or Gazelle. It's an e-commerce platform that allows users to communicate with each other. Gazelle is similar to it. It makes the seller use its shipping container, and does not release payment until the buyer has received it. It promises to reimburse any buyer who is disappointed within 72 hours. The site does not charge additional fees beyond the price shown, however the inventory is limited and only includes the latest generation of Samsung Galaxy and Pixel smartphones. The site offers a wide range of options and buyers can negotiate if they are unhappy with a sale. Poor: There is not as much selection on other sites. The phones are not checked before you buy, so you might not get what you see. UpTrade
Source: UpTrade
UpTrade is another great option if you want to make selling or buying a used phone as easy as possible. UpTrade allows buyers to search for the exact phone they are looking for and will display all available stock. Each listing contains hands-on photos of the exact phone being listed, as well as the UpTrade employee who inspected it and any notes they made. UpTrade Certified phones are those that have been subject to a rigorous 50-point inspection before they are shipped to you. UpTrade is a great place to sell a phone. Please indicate the model, configuration and condition of your phone. UpTrade will give you a price quote and you can get the full amount within 14 days or 1-2 days depending on how quickly you inspect the item. You may also get a 10% discount on your monthly payment. UpTrade will require you to ship the phone in your own box. However, you receive a shipping label at no cost. UpTrade will send your phone back at no additional cost if you change your mind about sending it. Good: The website is very user-friendly and streamlines the process for buyers and sellers. Bad: It can take some time to get paid. You will need to provide your own shipping box. Back Market
