Whenever you are venturing out to purchase any sort of electronic device, you want to do the requisite due diligence before committing. That way, you will be able to score the best possible deal on it.

1. Timing Is Everything

When buying a used or new device, timing is everything. This is even more important for a used smartphone. While you could opt for the brand new model that just released, sometimes the price difference isn't worth it. Whereas, sometimes the newer model brings about major features that swing the favor in the way of a newer device.

Regardless, there will be different events that can have a major impact on the price of a used model. One of the big things that you should be considering would be a new phone or device announcement. Typically, when a new model has been announced but isn't released, there will be a slight drop in price on the older models, take a look at Surplus Network for a great range of smart phones.

However, once the new model is released, the price will drop even more because of the resulting decrease in demand for the older generation model. Therefore, you will want to consider timing your purchase for the release of the newer model if you want to maximize your savings potential.

2. Figure Out Of Your Phone Is Unlocked

A lot of phones that you purchase may be locked to a specific carrier that you bought them from. Because of this, it won't be able to be used on another network without being carrier unlocked first. While it is possible to get around this by asking either the carrier or someone else to unlock it, you will generally have to pay for this service. Therefore, you want to figure out what carrier the phone is locked to (if any) and factor that into your decision when buying one. After all, you want it to work with your carrier of choice. You can also visit mobile phone statistics

3. Know The Prices

Whenever you are buying any type of device that has been used, you want to have a good idea of the total price you can expect to pay before exchanging money. No matter if you are purchasing from a private seller or directly from a retailer, you will want to take a look at the eBay marketplace to see what people are willing to buy the phone for. That way, you can get a good idea of its market value. You will also want to consider the various things that may impact the overall selling price which can include the storage amount and even the color of the device.

4. Warranties and Returns

Unfortunately, you might not be able to spot potential faults with a device until you use it yourself. Because of this, you will want to be certain that you are buying from a seller that is willing to accept returns. Typically, you will get this from a retailer rather than a private seller. Because of this, you will get a lot more purchase protection by buying from a reputable seller.

5. Be Ruthless If Buying From a Private Seller

You will find used mobile devices like phones being an expensive commodity that can be relatively easy to sell. Because of this, if you are thinking about buying from a private seller, you will want to assess their reputation and how trustworthy they are.

If you are buying on an auction website or even a classified site, you might not have a lot to base your decision on. However, you can look at their feedback, how long they have been a seller, and whether or not they are a trusted seller to try to maximize your chances of having a successful transaction.

6. The Screen Can Tell You A Lot

You want to consider the condition of the screen of the phone. The screen can tell you a whole story of the device. A damaged screen is one of the red flags that you will want to look for because it can tell you whether the device has been dropped. It can also tell you whether or not the previous owner was careful with their phone or not. A device with a screen in pristine condition is much more likely to be in better overall shape than one that has a damaged and scuffed up screen.

7. Check The Accessories

You will likely find a lot of sellers that are offering accessories and the original box along with the purchase of the device. If not, you will want to get a discount on the price of the device. A lot of the mobile phones being sold come with their charger and even headphones. Because of this, you will want to consider whether or not it comes with these things when factoring in how much you would be willing to pay for it.