Phone

“Adulting” is hard and expensive… that’s why people are always looking for ways to cut back on monthly expenses. When trying to cut back, it forces you to look at things and put them in the category “is this something you want?” “or is this something you need?” The answers to those questions are going to determine what you keep and what you get rid of.

There are definitely monthly expenses you need that you can’t do without because you need them to function in your daily life. Let’s take a look at a common scenario lots of people go through… the issue of cable.

Cable is a luxury that allows you to watch your favorite TV shows, watch sports-related programming, and keep up with the news and weather… but is cable something you actually need? No. Be honest with yourself… you don’t NEED cable. But you know one thing you do need? A cell phone.

With a cell phone, you can do everything you did with cable plus talk on the phone, send text messages, takes pictures, and a slew of other things, plus, it’s very essential for communication and emergencies! So having a cell phone is definitely more of a necessity than cable. So, in an effort to cut your monthly costs, you get rid of cable… that probably will save you over a hundred dollars.

But now you have the issue of buying a new phone. If only you knew how to track your lost or stolen phone, you wouldn’t be in the predicament you’re in but it’s so now it’s time to find a new one.

The sad part about that scenario is that phone theft happens more often than you would hope or think. According to NBC San Diego, cell phones are being stolen at an alarming rate. The San Diego Police Department reported 670 phones were stolen in 2019 and out of the 670 phones stolen, 170 of the devices were not only iPhones but they were the newest models of iPhones.

What a huge loss of investment. If you hadn’t noticed, cell phones are very expensive, and some of the newer model iPhones go up into the thousand dollar range! So for those needing a new phone but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg for it, your best option is to go for a premium pre-owned phone… not a used one… there is a difference.

You want to go with a premium pre-owned phone because it’s not only going to be at a lower rate but you also won’t have to worry about falling victim to purchasing a stolen phone either! But before you can enjoy the perks of purchasing a premium pre-owned phone, you must first know what to look for to avoid buying a stolen phone. A lot of the people who buy used phones don’t even know that they’re stolen phones. So, to give you peace of mind that you’re making the right purchase, follow these helpful tips to avoid purchasing a stolen phone.

Tip 1: Only Buy From a Reputable Seller

Just like buying anything else, you want to make sure you’re buying your cell phone from a reputable seller. In your mind, you’re thinking “Okay, all I need to do is find a reputable seller… how do I know they’re reputable?” Well, there are a few signs that will let you know they’re reputable.

  • They offer a moneyback guarantee after at least 14 days
  • They offer a warranty on their phones
  • They have more positive reviews than negative ones
  • They can show you the retail price of the product in comparison to theirs
  •  They make mention of the cosmetic and functionality inspections

Tip 2: Check the Stats

In checking the stats, you’re essentially looking for basic information about the phone. The seller should have detailed information like:

  • Color
  • Storage capacity
  • A stock photo of the phone and a picture of the actual phone being sold. The pictures should show the front, back, and sides of the phone
  • Detailed descriptions of the phone should be given “like-new condition” “a few scratches on the side” etc.
  • IMEI (International Mobile Station Equipment Identity)- you’ll want to ask the seller for this information and if they say that they can’t or aren’t will to give you this information, then you need to go to a different seller.

Tip 3: Have a Thorough Understanding of the Return Policy

Some would say that this is the most important aspect simply because if you don’t like the phone once you get it, you want to be able to send it back without any issues. This is also when looking for a warranty is going to be beneficial as well. It’s always a bit unnerving to buy online, let alone buy something used online so before you put that phone in the shopping cart search for their return policy. If it’s too hard to find, it’s probably because they don’t have one… and if they don’t, that’s a red flag for you as well.