Request the IMEI previously to check if it is on a blacklist or is a forgery and buys only from reliable sellers.

The high prices of the smartphones of the main mobile manufacturers, the current difficult economic situation, and the invasion of the Internet in our lives are causing the second hand market to increase considerably.

In the Network we find many offers and alternatives. Although not all are positive, since fraud is the order of the day. We give you some tips to avoid the risks when buying a used iPhone:

  • Check the actual status of the phone. One of the most important points is to check that the product fits the advertised. And not only have to notice that physically matches the description that is indicated, but also contains all the features and accessories cited.
  • Try using secure payment methods. Evaluate the alternatives offered to pay for the purchase. It is advisable to pay cash on delivery or through a PayPal account, which has a fraud protection program. Avoid paying by transfer or other means that require payment in advance unless the seller is reliable.
  • Look at the seller’s reputation. Some platforms have a vendor ratings system. Discards, to the extent possible, new entrants, those who have made few sales or veterans who have a negative reputation.

Order the IMEI before buying a used smartphone

  • Reject it if it is on a blacklist. Just as people have a unique identification system through their DNI, all phones, even the most basic, have a unique number: the IMEI. If it has been reported as lost or stolen, it is very possible that it is registered in a database (known as blacklistsor black lists) and operators do not allow using certain essential options such as making calls or surfing the Internet. How to avoid it? Currently there are some websites like DoctorSIM that have a tool to help us certify if the smartphone has been reported, for example, for theft. Even so, if possible, stay in person with the seller to check it in situ before paying.
  • Make sure it is authentic. The IMEI also serves to check if the mobile that is for sale is original or is a forgery, which are increasingly more perfected. It can be checked by entering the number in info, where all the technical and physical characteristics of the specific device are specified. If it’s a clone, this page will show you the tab of a different model to what it appears to be.
  • Do not trust the bargains. Check that the prices they offer are consistent and conform to market demand. A second-hand or new mobile belonging to a private individual can even reduce 50% of its value in the new market, but if the amount is too low, it may hide some trap.
  • Rate the use of the battery. You must take into account the time of use of the device. Most smartphones come with the integrated battery, which means that if the mobile phone has a long time of use, its autonomy will be limited and it will be necessary to go to a technical service to replace it.
  • Ask if you have a guarantee. Find out about the warranty offered by the product, either the manufacturer’s own (for which the first purchase invoice is necessary) or the one offered by some second-hand stores, which must be at least 12 months. Avoid buying phones without it.
  • Find out if you can update it. In all smartphones comes a time when your software can no longer be updated. Find out about the latest version that can be downloaded. Some applications can no longer be used with older versions of the operating system.