Buying a used Bell cell phone can be a bit tricky and might leave you, the buyer, feeling cheated and short-changed. Although there are some really good deals in the used cell phone market, you’ve got to watch out for lemons. Here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for a good used cell phone for Bell Mobility.
First things first… What is a used phone?
A used Bell phone is different than a refurbished one. A refurbished phone is a pre-owned device that a company refurbishes, or repairs, normally to a like-new condition. It will most likely come with a new battery and be reset to the original factory settings. A used phone is a pre-owned phone that has not been refurbished. It is sold in the same condition as the last owner left it.
What Phone is Right for You?
Before you even go looking for a used cell phone you should consider what sort of features you’ll need. It is also wise to establish a spending limit. Do you like to text? Do you like games or videos? Would you really access the Internet enough to make the purchase of a Smartphone worth it? Do you check your email frequently? The whole point of considering a discount phone is not only to get great savings but to also keep yourself from spending more than you ought to.
What You See (or Don’t See) is What You Get:
When you find an ad for a used Bell phone, be sure you see an actual picture of the phone. Some ads may try to trick potential buyers with pictures of phones downloaded straight from the manufacturer’s site. Of course those phones are going to look great ? they’re promotional. If actual photos of the Bell Mobility phone are not provided, ask the seller to provide you with some. Everyone has a digital camera these days, so getting a real photo should not be a problem.
Watch Out for Water Damage:
Are you familiar with that little sticker underneath the battery on most Bell phones? That sticker is often called the moisture indicator sticker and it checks for water exposure. The colour that indicates water damage differs from brand to brand. For most used Bell cell phones pink-red is the colour used to indicate water damage. White indicates no exposure to water. The safest bet is to call the manufacturer directly. It would be wise to see the actual phone before you buy or, at the very least, a picture of that sticker.
Check the Phone With Bell Mobility:
Bell Mobility, in their infinite business wisdom will only activate cell phones that originally come from Bell. To confirm the phone is a Bell phone, you will have to get the ESN, or electronic serial number that is typically 11 numbers in length, from the seller. Next, call Bell customer service at 1-800-667-0123 and ask them to confirm the ESN. Bell tracks the ESN of every phone they have ever sold. Not only will the Bell representative tell you if the ESN is theirs, but also if the phone is stolen or still activated.
* Compare Prices:
Veteran bargain hunters know about comparing prices. It’s obvious that you don’t go for the first price that sounds good. Don’t be fooled by the tantalizing word, “Sale.” You should always shop around. Comparing prices isn’t limited to looking at the comparable prices of used cell phones. You should also compare the prices of your desired model with those of a refurbished Bell phone, both fully refurbished and partially refurbished, as well as with the contract-free price of the same cell phone in new condition. The order of price from highest to lowest should go: new, fully refurbished, partially refurbished, and then used. Getting comparison prices for used Bell phones may not always be easy, but it is a worthwhile search. If the used price is close to a new price, perhaps you should consider going new.
Whether you buy from a reputable site, like you should, or from some guy on the street with hundreds of other cell phones in his trench coat, keeping wise and alert will keep you from being scammed. There are very few Bell Certified sites that offer great savings on used Bell cell phones.
Buying a used or refurbished Bell cell phone often beats having the latest and most advanced cell phone. Refurbished and used cell phone options come out relatively quickly after the first release of a new model. Following these short tips should ensure you find a sweet deal, while avoiding the lemons on the way to getting an inexpensive Bell cell phone.
And if you liked this article you can find more articles and videos for Bell Mobility users at http://cellarama.com/articles/ - At http://cellarama.com you’ll also find great contract-free cell phones for Bell Mobility. Written by A. Thompson