Buying a new mobile phone nowadays will cost you a bundle. With top of the range models going for over five hundred pounds, and even a decent mid-range smart phone costing a couple of hundred, a new phone is a hefty investment for most people. But if you’re looking to get a discount on your new mobile device, there are some ways that you might be able to save a little cash. Today we’re giving you the best buying tips for getting a cheap mobile…
Get a Cheap Android Phone…
When you’re buying a phone you’re going to have a choice of operating systems, and if you’re looking for a cheap phone then your best shot is to go for a cheap Android phone. iOS phones are only made by Apple, meaning that you’re going to have to go for an iPhone, which, in general, don’t come cheap. Its the same with the Blackberry RIM system, since it’s only found on Blackberrys. Windows phones tend to be higher end models, with few discount Windows phones available. So you’re best bet is going to be a cheap Android phone. You’ll simply have more choice and better prices if you’re willing to go Android.
Go Refurbished…
The best tip for getting the best price on a phone is to go refurbished. A refurbished model is one that’s been sold and returned, nearly always simply because the customer has changed his or her mind. But companies don’t just automatically sell these phones on. They’re returned to the manufacturer, where they’re cleaned, rebooted and inspected before being certified for resale. A refurbished phone will be indistinguishable in function and appearance from a brand new model, and it will also come with at least a ninety day guarantee, so you don’t need to worry about something going wrong with it. There is a chance that the phone won’t be in its original packaging, or that it will come with a generic charger or reprinted manual, but these things don’t affect the phone’s performance at all. The best place to look for a refurbished phone is directly on the manufacturer’s web site; even the Apple web site sells refurbished iPhones. Some mobile phone service operators also do refurbished models, like with Vodafone’s Nearly New packages. You stand to get significant savings on refurbished models when compared to brand new models, even though you get practically the same device.
Go for a Trade In…
If you’ve got an older phone that you don’t need any more, then you can use that to get some cash to put towards buying your new phone. Several companies offer you this option. With Apple, for example, you can trade in an older iPhone model, and will then get store credit that you can use to purchase a new one. It is store credit though, not cash, so you’ll have to get a new iPhone and you’ll have to buy it direct from Apple. Vodafone also has a buy-back programme, though this time they give you cash, up to two hundred pounds for your old mobile. The money you get from these trade-in programmes does depend on the age and condition of your phone, so it’s better if you have a newer model in good working order so that you can get the highest price for your phone that you can.
Get a Reconditioned Phone…
There is a difference between a refurbished and a reconditioned phone. A reconditioned phone is one that has been used, usually extensively. These tend to be phones that have been leased by a company to be used as business phones, and have then been returned at the end of their lease period. A reconditioned phone will go back to the manufacturer, just as a refurbished phone will be. However, since these phones have been heavily used, it’s common that parts will be replaced. And the inspections for reconditioned phones are not quite as stringent as they are for refurbished models. Reconditioned phones may or may not come with a warranty, depending on where you buy them from. Finally, it’s common that there are surface defects on reconditioned phones, like scratches or dents on the phone cover. However, you will get a software update where applicable, and you do stand to make some big savings if you go reconditioned. Reconditioned phones are even cheaper than refurbished models. Again, you can go direct to a manufacturer’s web site to look for a reconditioned model, including Apple. Some mobile phone operators will also offer reconditioned devices, but you’ll have to ask.
Second Hand Buying…
Buying a second hand phone is a bit of a risky endeavour. Most second hand phones are sold over the internet, suing sites like eBay, Craig’s List or Amazon. The problem with this is that you can’t actually look at what you’re buying before you buy it. Second hand phones are generally not going to come with a warranty, and may have some serious faults, and if you can’t check out the model before buying there’s a substantial risk that you could get a phone that’s not in good working order. Should you find second hand mobiles in retail stores though, the risk is slightly lower. A close examination of the model that you want to buy should be enough to lessen the risk that you’re going to purchase a bad model. You’ll need to look at the outside of the phone first, examine the case for dents and scrapes and the screen for scratches or dead pixels. Then switch the phone on and test all its functions. It’s a good idea to take your SIM card with you so you can make a call, send a text and connect to the internet to make sure that everything’s working the way it should be. Buying a second hand phone can get you some incredibly savings, but you must be incredibly careful when buying. Remember that you’re probably going to have little recourse if things go wrong.
Sam Jones was looking for a cheap android phone so decided to browse the online price comparison sites. uSwitch and other similar sites helped him to get a really affordable deal on a great handset
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