Some time ago, I published an article titled "Why I Prefer Buying Second Hand Mobile Phones" as I shared my experience in buying them. I talked about the main reason why I buy second-hand mobile phones instead of buying a new one directly from the mall or physical store, and that is to save myself a reasonable amount of money.
And this time, I am going to share with you the common questions I usually ask the seller of the mobile phone before I proceed with buying the item.
These questions are just simple but should be asked to make sure that you are going to make a good purchase and not just waste your money on a defective item or mobile phone.
1. Last Price?
Well, because one of the main reasons why you're buying a second-hand mobile phone is to save an amount of money, it is just right to ask the seller first about the "Last Price" of the product he's selling. It's also the perfect time to make a counteroffer or ask for a discount since you really want to save money or buy the product at a reasonable price.
2. Hidden Issues?
Even if you're just going to buy a second-hand phone to save money, you still wouldn't want to purchase a product that is defective or has hidden issues so it is good to ask the seller upfront about the hidden issues of the phone he is selling. This is the perfect time to ask if the phone is still working like a brand new one, if it doesn't have any history of repair, and if the battery is working fine.
Usually, the main minor issue of second-hand mobile phones being sold in the market is that it has some scratches or dents on the back of the phone because of the hard case or the owner accidentally dropped the phone that left marks on it.
3. Complete Package?
This is also a useful question to ask the seller because you might be buying a second-hand phone that is as if you actually bought it in the mall where the box, case, charger, and even earphones are still available and provided, which solidifies that you are buying the product at such a cheap price. However, there are instances that you will only be getting the unit and a case, and you will not get the charger and even the box. So if you confirmed that you'll only be paying for the unit and case, you should make a follow-up question asking for another lower price or discount.
4. When was it purchased?
Asking when was the product purchased should also be considered because it will help you in your purchasing decision. If the seller bought the product about 5 to 7 months ago and has been using it since then, you may think that it's still a good buy because it's not that used up yet. But if the product has been actively used for more than a year already but the price is still not reasonable, then it's now time to move forward to the next option.
5. Is it Original?
Most second-hand mobile phones being sold in the market are original. However, if you have trust issues like me, and you want to be assured that you are buying an authentic product and not just a copy or clone one, then you should still ask this question to the seller.
Obviously, you can easily determine if the phone is just a copy or clone if it is being sold at such a very cheap price.
Another way to examine if the product you are going to buy is to check the International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI number of the phone by dialing *#06#, which I usually do.
6. Phone Specifications
When sellers post about the product or mobile phone they are selling in the market, they usually include in the description about the brand and unit of the product, as well as the quick specifications of the unit. They would also post about the price too. But if you want to be assured that you are buying the exact thing being advertised, then you should still ask this question.
Well, these are the six common questions that I usually ask the seller whenever I buy a second-hand mobile phone, and they have always come in handy because I haven't had any bad experience with it.
So if you are considering buying a second-hand mobile phone in the future, you should put these questions in mind to avoid your money being wasted.
Be wise and don't get fooled!
Mukang marami rami ka na ding alam sa phone. No doubt bakit pinush mo pala dati ung mga second hand phone.. Akong naman mas okay sakin na honest ung seller sa issues tapos negotiate na lang ang price para mag meet halfway din pati expectations.