Buying 2nd hand iPhone?
Discussion
littleredrooster said:
I bought two iPhones (13 Mini & 13 Pro) at Xmas from smartcellular.co.uk
Although delivery took longer than promised, when they arrived they were absolutely immaculate, both boxed and just as original. Prices were well below MusicMagpie (who I've used many times before), GiffGaff, CEX or Backmarket so I was able to excuse them for the delay.
Overall I'm quite chuffed!
Smartcellular : Their offer price to buy my old phone is high compared to everyone else (£160 vs £70) but I might give them a go and upgrade early.Although delivery took longer than promised, when they arrived they were absolutely immaculate, both boxed and just as original. Prices were well below MusicMagpie (who I've used many times before), GiffGaff, CEX or Backmarket so I was able to excuse them for the delay.
Overall I'm quite chuffed!
Anyone sold their phone to the above?
TIA
Edited by M11rph on Thursday 15th February 08:03
rdjohn said:
QJumper said:
I have always bought and sold used iPhones on ebay.
Maybe I'm lucky, but I've never had a problem.
I have just followed your advice ??Maybe I'm lucky, but I've never had a problem.
It makes my two earlier attempts at buying pre-owned look like very poor alternatives.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225550894394?mkevt=1&am...
My wife is delighted as it greatly exceeds her needs, but fits easily in her handbag.
I've used ebay before and had no issues.
Tried Smart Cellular recently and I'd not recommend them. The phone I received was optimistically described and hadn't even been cleaned.
Sent them my old one following their valuation (£160) revalued at £40 when they got it. Sent me some photos of what looked like a different phone covered in scratches, fortunately I had photographed mine carefully before dispatch. Still in dispute with them.
Tried Smart Cellular recently and I'd not recommend them. The phone I received was optimistically described and hadn't even been cleaned.
Sent them my old one following their valuation (£160) revalued at £40 when they got it. Sent me some photos of what looked like a different phone covered in scratches, fortunately I had photographed mine carefully before dispatch. Still in dispute with them.
M11rph said:
I've used ebay before and had no issues.
Tried Smart Cellular recently and I'd not recommend them. The phone I received was optimistically described and hadn't even been cleaned.
Sent them my old one following their valuation (£160) revalued at £40 when they got it. Sent me some photos of what looked like a different phone covered in scratches, fortunately I had photographed mine carefully before dispatch. Still in dispute with them.
I don't think there is a strong enough word for Smart Cellular Tried Smart Cellular recently and I'd not recommend them. The phone I received was optimistically described and hadn't even been cleaned.
Sent them my old one following their valuation (£160) revalued at £40 when they got it. Sent me some photos of what looked like a different phone covered in scratches, fortunately I had photographed mine carefully before dispatch. Still in dispute with them.
My other half foolishly sent her Iphone SE to them based on the online valuation. It was absolutely mint, not a scratch or blemish on it, although 82% battery life meant we couldn't class it as top condition.
A couple of days later we receive photos from them of a phone that looked like it had been used as a doorstop, with disgusting looking grime around the bezel , yet they insist this was the phone we sent them.
Now one week later and they refuse to send us the phone back unless we bank transfer the postage cost to them, god only knows what the state of the phone will be like ...
Skii said:
I don't think there is a strong enough word for Smart Cellular
My other half foolishly sent her Iphone SE to them based on the online valuation. It was absolutely mint, not a scratch or blemish on it, although 82% battery life meant we couldn't class it as top condition.
A couple of days later we receive photos from them of a phone that looked like it had been used as a doorstop, with disgusting looking grime around the bezel , yet they insist this was the phone we sent them.
Now one week later and they refuse to send us the phone back unless we bank transfer the postage cost to them, god only knows what the state of the phone will be like ...
Forgive my ignorance, but isn't there a serial number on the phone to prove which one you sent them?My other half foolishly sent her Iphone SE to them based on the online valuation. It was absolutely mint, not a scratch or blemish on it, although 82% battery life meant we couldn't class it as top condition.
A couple of days later we receive photos from them of a phone that looked like it had been used as a doorstop, with disgusting looking grime around the bezel , yet they insist this was the phone we sent them.
Now one week later and they refuse to send us the phone back unless we bank transfer the postage cost to them, god only knows what the state of the phone will be like ...
I wanted to upgrade from an iPhone X and decided I’d like an iPhone 13 pro max Having read mixed reviews of online resellers and refurbished I thought I’d try the local town centre phone repair shops. Finding very limited and overpriced stock there, I was on the point of giving up, when someone suggested I try…Cash Converters.
. Deeply sceptical I ventured into said salubrious emporium. Turned out to be not as dodgy as I feared and I actually knew one of the staff. So I’m now the proud owner of a iPhone 13 Pro Max, in very good condition with 90% battery life and a 12 month warranty.
Now for some man maths.
The phone was £499, which was on a par with online prices. As a bonus I actually got £100 trade in on my tired iPhone X.
I’ve just chiselled £10 month off my sim airtime contract, meaning that over 3 years I’ll save £360. If I keep the new phone that long, then it will only have cost me £40, which I’m bound to exceed on resale.
Result !
. Deeply sceptical I ventured into said salubrious emporium. Turned out to be not as dodgy as I feared and I actually knew one of the staff. So I’m now the proud owner of a iPhone 13 Pro Max, in very good condition with 90% battery life and a 12 month warranty.
Now for some man maths.
The phone was £499, which was on a par with online prices. As a bonus I actually got £100 trade in on my tired iPhone X.
I’ve just chiselled £10 month off my sim airtime contract, meaning that over 3 years I’ll save £360. If I keep the new phone that long, then it will only have cost me £40, which I’m bound to exceed on resale.
Result !
Alickadoo said:
Forgive my ignorance, but isn't there a serial number on the phone to prove which one you sent them?
Yes, absolutely - we have asked multiple times for them to prove this handset has the same IMEI number as the phone we sent them, something they appear very reluctant to provide!Bazsm said:
waynedear said:
Same expectations for the 128gb iPhone 12 i ordered 20 minutes ago.
Phone looked immaculate but battery health only at 87%, and I can’t install WhatsApp whatever I do!As for WhatsApp, that iOS is it running? Make sure it's on the latest and you should be fine to install it.
mikey_b said:
Bazsm said:
waynedear said:
Same expectations for the 128gb iPhone 12 i ordered 20 minutes ago.
Phone looked immaculate but battery health only at 87%, and I can’t install WhatsApp whatever I do!As for WhatsApp, that iOS is it running? Make sure it's on the latest and you should be fine to install it.
Wife put a transfer app on it and got pretty much everything over from my motorola, WhatsApp included.
Right now I f####ng hate it... Pretty much the same as when anything NEW comes into my life...
Hmmm, smart cellular… so, after ordering a phone and getting delivery date which came and went many, many times, I did some digging. Allegedly, one of the reasons they are cheap is that they sell phones they don’t currently own. They take lots of orders and agree to buy batches of phones from suppliers not knowing what will arrive, and then hopefully a phone matching your order arrives. If it doesn’t then you wait till it does.
To be fair, they aren’t the only ones to operate like this but I haven’t used the others.
To be fair, they aren’t the only ones to operate like this but I haven’t used the others.
Not a great experience so far with Backmarket - the phone arrived quicker than expected but on inspection there are scratches on the screen. I selected the "Good" condition which means the screen should be immaculate with no marks or visible scratches. It's getting returned.
It's worth noting that the phone itself wasn't wrapped in any packaging material and was just in a slot of the carboard packaging - not sure if anyone else had the same experience - seems a bit risky given the value of the contents and the condition they are guaranteeing!
It's worth noting that the phone itself wasn't wrapped in any packaging material and was just in a slot of the carboard packaging - not sure if anyone else had the same experience - seems a bit risky given the value of the contents and the condition they are guaranteeing!
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