Buying a mobile phone off ebay - What do I need to know ?

Sezzler

Afternoon,

Im looking to purchase a Nokia Lumia 800 mobile phone and Ive noticed that they are cheaper on ebay than the shops.

Now Im wondering what I need to look out/ steps I can take so that I dont end up purchasing a stolen phone, or a phone that later gets blocked by the seller at a later date etc etc

thank you

grumbler

Buy a new one from a reputable seller?

Buying phones off eBay
iPhone from eBay
Mobile Phone on eBay question
...

Forget about e-bay and consider a redemption deal instead to save the money?

Guys_Dad

Weigh up what you could save against how much you could lose if the item was stolen and was later blocked.

Consider how good the vendor's rating is and just how many sales they have made.

Buzby

But mostly - read the description, pay only with PayPal, and if in any doubt about the seller, do not complete the sale.

adamc260

Be careful buying a phone off ebay, I did before and it was brand new but because the seller opened the box and entered an unlock code my warranty was void, not because of the unlock code because I was considered the 'second owner' and its for the 'first owner' only generally. Also check on your phone insurance as they often ask for the original invoice to pay out on it if anything happens.. the paypal/ebay invoice is NOT enough.

pingu

i would not buy a phone of ebay unless its sealed!

sdduk

eBay is a great place if you use common sense

like said on here first thing i always do is check there feedback and how many they have also note how many bad feedback they have
if its more that 2 in a year for normal account may be stay clear but just read what the buyer as put and if the seller responded

Same with a business account holder read feedback most not all will have bad feedback and that's fine if they respond and also remember that a business account holder sells 1000s of items so they are not going to get it right all the time for some people.

Rusty!

sdduk wrote: »

eBay is a great place if you use common sense

Best advice possible really.

I've bought three phones from eBay and sold five, never had any problems with any of the transactions or handsets.