Second-hand electronics can save a lot of money, but they are also the items most likely to be faulty, locked or stolen. A few minutes of checking at the meeting is worth it.
Ask before you meet
- Ask the exact model, the age, whether it has ever been repaired, and whether the original box, charger and receipt are available.
- Ask for the serial number or the IMEI (for phones) so you can check it is not blocked or reported lost.
- Compare the price with similar listings to see if it makes sense for the age and condition.
Test it in person
- Turn it on and check the screen for dead pixels, cracks, burn-in and uneven brightness.
- For a phone, check the touch screen across all areas, the cameras, speakers, microphone, charging port, buttons and the Wi-Fi and SIM connection.
- For a laptop, check the keyboard, trackpad, ports, battery health, fan noise and heat, and run it for a few minutes.
- Check the battery level drops at a normal rate while you are testing.
Make sure it is not locked
A device that is still linked to the previous owner’s account may be unusable. Ask the seller to sign out of their accounts and reset the device in front of you, and make sure it reaches the set-up screen without asking for their login.
Avoid stolen goods
Be wary of a very low price, a seller who will not meet at their home or work, or one who cannot show a box, receipt or the device’s account details. Buying stolen property can cause you to lose both the device and your money.
Payment and receipt
Pay only after you have tested the device and are happy. Ask for a short written note of the date, price, model and serial number, signed by the seller, in case a problem comes up later.