For the past decade a mobile phone has been a must-have for anyone: whether you’re a student, an office worker, a stay-at-home mom, or a farmer, a phone is an essential tool for staying in touch with your loved ones. Buying a new phone is very exciting yet costly event, so if your budget is too tight, a great alternative for you is to get a used phone. Today you’ll find out what to look for in a used mobile phone.
While shopping for a used phone, you need to take into account two major aspects: the price and the condition. Both of these requirements will be met if you look for your new phone on Jiji. Used Mobile phones on Jiji are represented in all price ranges and can be conveniently sorted by brand and other characteristics. Don’t miss out on the greatest shopping experience with Jiji!
Meet in person
This is one of the key rules for buying a used gadget safely. When you order delivery from another city, you normally have no way to check the condition of the device before handing over the money. That is why meeting the seller in person is a required condition for becoming a proud owner of your dream phone. Try to meet in a well-lit, busy location – not only it is safer, but in sufficient lighting you can also see the details of the phone more clearly.
Come prepared
Before you head out to the meeting with the seller, make sure you have the following objects with you:
- Laptop
- Charging cable
- Compatible SIM card
- Headphones
- Memory card
Every single one of these items can be very helpful when you inspect a used phone. A laptop and a charging cable will allow you to see if the phone charges properly and if it can be easily connected to a computer. A SIM card will let you make sure that the phone is unlocked and can operate with your SIM. Headphones are a perfect way to test the sound in the phone. Finally, a memory card will let you know if the phone’s memory can be enhanced with the help of a card, or if the built-in memory is all you get.
Inspect the device
A thorough check of a used phone includes several steps. Here they are:
- Physical inspection – see if the phone has any visible dents, scratches, and cracks in the screen. While scratches on the back of the phone can be an insignificant defect, a cracked screen usually costs a fortune to be fixed, which means this purchase won’t save you any money. You need to look for the signs of water damage especially careful: remove the battery or check the SIM card slot – usually water damage can be seen there.
- Check the ports and openings – make sure to take a look at everything that can be opened, as well as the various ports found in the device. Watch out for dirt, rust, and grease. This is also the step where you need to plug your headphones and charger in to see if they work properly.
- Insert your SIM card – first see if the phone is not locked and accepts your SIM card. Then try making a call, sending a text, and using the Internet with the help of a browser.
These are the essential features of any mobile phone, so unless they work perfectly, you have no reason to buy that particular device.
