Risk to buying refurbished mobiles?

TVM_2

Hi all,

Need to get a new phone within £150. Was considering this refurbished E71 from 3 (would need to unlock it to use with O2) - can't post the link as am new > threestore.three.co.uk/payg/dealsummary.aspx?offercode=DSL0PP293&id=1183
I realise these handsets are cheaper because they've been returned - have many on here had experiences with buying refurbished sets without any problems?

Also, if I unlock it from 3 to O2, will I still be able to use all the features of the phone (bar skype and messenger) on O2?

Thanks!

TVM_2

And final question - are phones from phones4u unlocked? I know CPW phones are.

boliston

I would have thought that if you buy a "sim free" phone it would not be locked as you are paying full price with no network subsidy. I would check though to be certain!

PNPSUKNET

does 3 phones work on other networks..

frankie1star

I didnt thank you could unlock 3 phones

bubblesmoney

i had bought refurbished phones direct from three network in the past. there are different grades of refurbished, best to enquire what the fault is, if it is just a scratch or returned opened box then there shouldnt be issues. the phones come with guarantees too but the duration might differ. sometimes the refurbished ones might not be much cheaper than new ones, so watch out and do your research.

the ones i bought from three are fine and after a while i gave them away to others and they are still using the phone without problems after more than 4 years now. it was a couple of nokias, i forgot the model numbers.

you can unlock three network phones, i unlocked the phone before i gave it away.

TVM_2

Thanks for the info. Did it cost much to unlock them?

john-306

I had a Nokia 5800 refurbished from 3 recently, couldn't tell it from a new one to be honest, still had all the plastic film over it and 12 months warranty, only downside is the box it came in wasn't the original Nokia one, it had "refurbished" printed on it.

Depends what phone you get as to how easy it is to unlock, some can be done free off the internet, others you need to pay to get them unlocked

bubblesmoney

TVM wrote: »

Thanks for the info. Did it cost much to unlock them?

think it might have been 15£, dont remember the exact amount.

5867dude

bubblesmoney wrote: »

think it might have been 15£, dont remember the exact amount.

It is £15, last time I asked.

TVM_2

Another question - the appeal of these nokia phones or blackberrys would be the instant email.

However the HTC Wildfire on PAYG seems to be a good price and perhaps offers a lot more in terms of other features.

With that in mind would it be better for me to go for the wildfire (I take it I can just use the Gmail app for email?)

Thanks for your responses!