I think we can all agree that the one of the most amazing devices which has been developed over this past decade is undoubtedly the smartphone. iPhone and iPad have been with us now just over 10 years if you can believe it! It seems every year the device costs keeps going up and up. When the first iPhone was released it was $500 and now for the brand new iPhone XS Max you are looking at $1100 and this the smallest storage size before taxes!
Other than a few unneeded upgrades there really is not a reason to have the latest and greatest device. As of today you can get a used iPhone 7 that will run completely fine for around $300. If you too are one of those people who is planning to crack a good deal on used iPhone, make sure you don’t forget to consider these tips.
Make A Decision
First of all, you should start your search by finding the model which is best for your use. When talking to customers about the best bang for their buck I tell them to look into devices that are around two years or older. Why? Most new iPhones lose 25% of their value in the first year and around 15% the second year. Getting a used iPhone or iPad in my opinion is the be way.
Where to look?
Once you have decided on the model your next step should be finding out where to get the device. We mainly focus on repairs here at BrandNewAgain but will also sell iPhones and iPad from time to time. You can check with us by phone or text here: 612-444-6000. You can also try out Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. In my honest opinion I would go with Facebook, overall it is safer.
Check for Authorization
When purchasing a phone you should always check the IMEI of the device. The IMEI of a phone is kinda like a SSN for us. Carriers can blacklist the device. Basically this means they can shut the phone down on their network because its stolen, reported lost or the customer stopped payment on the device. There is a nice website out there that will actually check this number for free. The link is here: https://swappa.com/esn
Assuming you are purchasing an iPhone or iPad the last major thing to look out for is the sellers iCloud account. You will have a lot of issues if you do not remove it but it is fairly simple to remove. Simply have them go to their: Settings > [Their Name] > iCloud, then turn off Find my iPhone. If you don’t see anything in their iCloud settings that means they have already removed it and you are good to go!
If the information above seems like a bit much I also tell my customers they can always bring the device to their carrier and have them check on the IMEI and iCloud as well.
Device Check
Last but not least, you should go for a complete check of the device before giving your money to the seller. If it is from the recent range of models available in the market, you must check your iPhone or iPad for Face ID, fingerprint sensor, camera, settings, buttons, speakers, microphone and all other day to day tasks which you would perform with it. Also, you should check the device for network connectivity like data, wifi, etc to ensure that it is a perfect functioning condition.
Not looking to upgrade right now but need a repair done? Get in touch with us for most affordable repair services.