Does anyone else buy their phones used?

[xxray]

I’ve always bought my phones brand new. I bought a 7 last December, but I was missing the battery and screen of my 6+. So I decided to buy a used 7+. After selling my 7, I got the 7+ for only a difference of $60. If I recall correctly, if I would’ve bought the 7+ rather than the 7, it would’ve been a $120 difference.

With the costs of phones drastically rising and the fact that phones are staying usable longer, the idea of buying used phones and just being a year behind on upgrades is becoming tempting. Why buy an iPhone X now when I could get it next year for a couple hundred dollars less? Has anyone been doing this, started doing this, or plan on doing this?

 

[Another Day]

Nope, don’t want to deal with bodily fluids/dead skin.

New is the only way to go, couple hundred dollar more for a new one isn’t a big deal.

 

[areyes163]

Nope. With all the things people do with their devices including taking them to the bathroom. I buy new only. I’ll sell my devices to to people but I won’t use someone else’s device. Plus buying used you never know if there is something wrong with the device that’s hidden or what.

 

[CharlesShaw]

MR members freak out when Apple replaces defective items with refurbished items fresh from the factory (where the ONLY way to tell it's not technically new is the model number).

Buying a refurb from Apple of last year's flagship is a good idea, though.

 

[xxray]

Nope, don’t want to deal with bodily fluids/dead skin.

New is the only way to go, couple hundred dollar more for a new one isn’t a big deal.

Nope. With all the things people do with their devices including taking them to the bathroom. I buy new only. I’ll sell my devices to to people but I won’t use someone else’s device. Plus buying used you never know if there is something wrong with the device that’s hidden or what.

The hidden problem is a fair reason, but a little soap and water isn’t worth a few hundred dollars to you? 😵

 

[44267547]

The only use device I would consider purchasing 'Used', would be a refurbished unit from Apple. Which still guarantees me a warranty, A New display, a battery and casing. Otherwise, I Purchase my iPhones brand new.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

The only use device I would consider purchasing 'Used', would be a refurbished unit from Apple. Which still guarantees me a warranty, A New display, a battery and casing. Otherwise, I Purchase my iPhones brand new.

This is the only way I’d consider a iPhone that wasn’t new also

 

[Turtle69Turtle]

I bought a moto droid (i forget the model) one time off eBay. Worked perfectly fine.

 

[eoblaed]

I’ve always bought my phones brand new. I bought a 7 last December, but I was missing the battery and screen of my 6+. So I decided to buy a used 7+. After selling my 7, I got the 7+ for only a difference of $60. If I recall correctly, if I would’ve bought the 7+ rather than the 7, it would’ve been a $120 difference.

With the costs of phones drastically rising and the fact that phones are staying usable longer, the idea of buying used phones and just being a year behind on upgrades is becoming tempting. Why buy an iPhone X now when I could get it next year for a couple hundred dollars less? Has anyone been doing this, started doing this, or plan on doing this?

Nope. Saving a couple of bucks is definitely not worth me sitting on old hardware forever (you’d always be at least a year behind) and having something in my hands that went through god-knows-what before.

 

[44267547]

I bought a moto droid (i forget the model) one time off eBay. Worked perfectly fine.

I used to consider eBay as an option for selling and purchasing iPhones, but with the amount of fraud that has grown exponentially over the years, I avoid eBay completely when it to comes to purchasing or selling iPhones. Too many risks and too many honest buyers/sellers becoming victimized over someone else's scheme.

 

[2984839]

I always buy used.

 

[KingslayerG5]

Been buying used since 2011. I also like the interactions between seller and buyer. Majority of my phones are new but once in awhile I go used for a phone I wanted back in the day. My second HTC One M7 is used and I got last March but is in better condition than the one I got that was new.

If it's used, I also don't baby it anymore and can toss it around. If I don't like it, I sell it for the same price I got it for that same week. If new, the price drops once you open it out of the box. Similar to new car purchases. Once you drive it out of the lot, the price drops.

My favorite used product right now is my Sony PS Vita slim. Only $100. My 64 GB card for it costs more at $140. I don't use cases for it or anything. I hate when you buy something new and then baby the thing.

Another tip if planning to get a car - Buy it used at Hertz Rental. They liquidate two-year old models for nearly 50% with less than 40K miles.

My 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage gets 40 MPG and only have to pay $155 monthly on it. Had 28K miles on it. Car practically paid for itself thanks to Postmates and DoorDash. It's a $7K car that originally was priced at 13K and I'm not complaining.

Don't mind it being used and a couple years old. People who buy NEW NEW NEW is wasting money to fulfill an ego.

 

[Hieveryone]

Nope, don’t want to deal with bodily fluids/dead skin.

New is the only way to go, couple hundred dollar more for a new one isn’t a big deal.

Or if someone drops it in the bathroom. Nobody would even know unless they told them bc of water resistance. Yuck!

 

[cbreze]

I've bought many used phones. Never had any issue. There are various levels of ways to sanitize them if that is a concern. These days tho I generally buy new and keep for a 2 year minimum time frame.

 

[IowaLynn]

Slim to none Apple Store Refurbished section. I would if I could. I did buy 6S+ But have not seen any 7’s listed so I went with an 8. Just think 6S won’t cut it with iOS 11.

Have thought of buying Essential One for the fun of it now that it’s less than $500.

 

[Moonjumper]

The surfaces of an iPhone are much easier to clean than the surfaces of a car, and I buy second-hand cars, so that isn't an issue for me.

I've bought new and second-hand iPhones, the same for iPads. I made a massive saving on a second-hand 2017 model iPad Pro 12.9, getting it for less than a 10.5 is new. I am happy to do it, although only if it is a big saving, and not all sellers are realistic with how much they ask for.

 

[Turtle69Turtle]

I used to consider eBay as an option for selling and purchasing iPhones, but with the amount of fraud that has grown exponentially over the years, I avoid eBay completely when it to comes to purchasing or selling iPhones. Too many risks and too many honest buyers/sellers becoming victimized over someone else's scheme.

Just gotta know who to buy from. I was apprehensive at first as well. I told myself that I wouldn’t buy a phone off of there if the seller didn’t have at least a 4.5+ rating and a few hundred good reviews

 

[ideal.dreams]

I always sell my used iPhones but personally I only buy new. I never liked the thought of using someone else's things, especially something so personal as a phone, which is with you every where you go.

 

[zfarooq]

I've bought used iPhones, Mac's etc. Just got to be smart about checking thoroughly - most times they are in warranty and also have AppleCare+

 

[Racineur]

Wow! This is what I wanted you know cause I'm shopping for a used 7 Plus. Had enough of my 5s. Many I've come across come with Apple warranty but I have a doubt about the way they were handled or treated. So if I undertsand you well, better go for new even if the savings are in the 200-250 order. Too bad Apple.ca don't sell refurbished iPhones (only iPad, iMac, iPod, Apple TV). Is the hygien thing to be taken seriously? Really, Didn't think about that.

 

[KingslayerG5]

I have a Craigslist app on my iPhone and I would check for older phones once in awhile. I'm a buyer and seller with CL since 2010-2011. That's how I experienced webOS briefly. I got a Palm Pixi Plus for $60 before selling it a month later for $70.

If you buy used, don't want it, and sell it for nearly the same price or more, it becomes a FREE RENTAL for you. Nothing to lose. Just make sure it works properly before you buy it. And never buy headphones or microSD cards from CL. I got crappy Chinese FAKES from there.

I was checking on older iPhones just a month ago. I'm thinking of getting an iPhone 4s just fof kicks but told myself that 3.5" would be hard to get used to. I briefly used a 3Gs and hated typing on it after a day. Another advantage getting a used iPhone? Getting an older firmware you prefer! If I ever got a 4s, I would prefer it on iOS6. I buy used stuff all the time.

My Dad loved to go to pawn shops in Colorado Springs and goes to swap meets and flea markets. He once bought a Sega Dreamcast for $1 and it works. He watches Storage Wars and Pawn Stars all the time. That's why I don't mind buying used. I used to buy new or used VHS, CDs, and video games from pawn shops all the time.

I'm a bargain shopper myself. I browse on Slickdeals alot. I would go to a Goodwill to search for old retro consoles or rare games.

Remember this story?

$7.99 becomes $15,000
https://kotaku.com/holy-grail-of-rare-video-games-found-in-a-goodwill-fo-473730982


This sold for $41,000 on ebay

^ It's like treasure hunting.

 

[Reno Raines]

My first three iPhones were used but new after that. I think if you buy from a trusted source it is not too bad.

 

[KingslayerG5]

Let me repost this again..

Very educational. You will realize that those iPhone "shells" are cheap to get in China and the most important components for any gadget are the internals.

I used to go to different phone repair shops all the time and would see the circuitry board for each phone and the outer shells. You stop caring about exterior when it's the interior that matters. It's what makes it turn on and work.

The exterior shells of any phone are like egg shells without the egg. Buying used is no big deal if you are capable of making one on your own using spare parts like that guy above.

 

[joeblow7777]

Nope, don’t want to deal with bodily fluids/dead skin.

New is the only way to go, couple hundred dollar more for a new one isn’t a big deal.

Nope. With all the things people do with their devices including taking them to the bathroom. I buy new only. I’ll sell my devices to to people but I won’t use someone else’s device. Plus buying used you never know if there is something wrong with the device that’s hidden or what.

That’s what your immune system is for. You’re exposed to all those things pretty much any time you touch anything in public. Do yourself a favour and never Google what’s found on typical movies theatre seats.

 

[Zune55]

I’ve always bought my phones brand new. I bought a 7 last December, but I was missing the battery and screen of my 6+. So I decided to buy a used 7+. After selling my 7, I got the 7+ for only a difference of $60. If I recall correctly, if I would’ve bought the 7+ rather than the 7, it would’ve been a $120 difference.

With the costs of phones drastically rising and the fact that phones are staying usable longer, the idea of buying used phones and just being a year behind on upgrades is becoming tempting. Why buy an iPhone X now when I could get it next year for a couple hundred dollars less? Has anyone been doing this, started doing this, or plan on doing this?

Nothing wrong buying used phones, btw i never buy used phones not because of the hygiene issue but its just i want new phone. Ppl here are saying about the hygiene/skin oil etc. the solution for it that you take rubbing alcohol and use it on paper towel and clean your phone. I guess it will clean germs etc. When buying used phones just make sure its not iCloud locked and also check inside the sim tray to see whether iphone is liquid damage or not. If liquid damaged you will see red strip but if not then white strip.