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Original poster

Would you buy a refurbished phone?

23 replies

NigellaWannabe1 · 29/08/2018 13:58

Hi, my phone is really old and it has stopped working properly. I was thinking of getting a Samsung S8 plus, but they cost an absolute fortune. I have seen some sold through Amazon for approximately £350, but these are second hand, refurbished. Are they likely to be reliable and long-lasting (at least, as long-lasting as phones are these days!).

Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
NigellaWannabe1 · 29/08/2018 14:30

Anyone?

OP posts:
Pinkyyy · 29/08/2018 14:33

My phone contract sends you out a refurbished phone if you lose it and claim on the insurance, I've had quite a few now as I'm hopeless with phones and have never had a problem. I was told that they keep the inside, reboot it all and put a new outside on it. They've always been the same as a brand new phone to me

BobbyBanana · 29/08/2018 14:33

Yes I've got a refurbished Samsung, it's great. You wouldn't know.

ToothTrauma · 29/08/2018 14:34

I’ve had refurbished iPhones and they’ve been great.

Original poster
NigellaWannabe1 · 29/08/2018 14:37

That's fantastic! Can I ask where you have bought them? Thanks.

OP posts:
vampirethriller · 29/08/2018 14:53

I only have refurbished phones from CEX shops, I've only ever had one that wasn't much good and they repaired it for me free.

EthelThePiratesDaughter · 29/08/2018 15:20

I bought a refurbished iPhone on a contract with Three (through their website).

It was fine.

ToothTrauma · 29/08/2018 16:39

I like CEX too. I find them very trustworthy.

SoupDragon · 29/08/2018 16:42

I bought DD a refurbished iphone from Giffgaff. It looked like new and seems absolutely fine. The DSs have had refurbished ones before but I don’t know where from.

Figmentofimagination · 29/08/2018 16:42

My husband bought a refurbished iPhone from giff gaff. No issues so far

Happyhippy45 · 29/08/2018 16:51

I bought a refurbished iPhone about 3 years ago. Still going strong.
I wouldn't pay full price for the latest tech. Too bloody expensive.

HarrietSchulenberg · 29/08/2018 16:54

Yes, I have a refurbished Z5 from Mobilephonesdirect.co.uk. It's on a contract but was a) cheaper than direct with ee and better conditions and b) the phone was no longer available through usual channels (replaced with the shit X line of phones).
The power button stopped working 10 months into the contract and they fixed it free of charge via manufacturer's guarantee. No further issues and it's a great phone. I'd use them again, no problem.

reallyanotherone · 29/08/2018 16:55

I bought 2 refurbs from music magpie. First one broke within 6 months but warranty meant it was refunded.

2nd has been ok, but isn’t “good as new”. I don’t think it’s going to last much more than a year- it gets very warm when charging, and the screen/picture isn’t right. Works ok though.

I don’t think i’d buy refurbished again. We have a noticeboard at work where staff sell their old phones so i’m going to try that.

premiertav · 29/08/2018 17:01

I would but I wouldn't pay £350 for one.

Original poster
NigellaWannabe1 · 29/08/2018 17:36

Great, thank you very much for all this information. How much would you say I should be paying for a Samsung S8+ or equivalent?

Thanks again!

OP posts:
safariboot · 29/08/2018 18:54

I think "refurbished" is just a marketing term for second-hand. I doubt they normally do anything more than clean the outside and factory reset the OS.

I still might buy a second-hand phone, if the price was right, but my last two smartphones were new lower-mid-range models.

reallyanotherone · 30/08/2018 16:15

I think "refurbished" is just a marketing term for second-hand. I doubt they normally do anything more than clean the outside and factory reset the OS

As the two refurb models i bought both developed screen issues, i’m fairly sure refurb for many phones includes a screen replacement. There has to be many 2nd hand phones which work perfectly but have screen chips and cracks- worthless until you replace the screen, which can be done very cheaply.

I think i’d rather buy a 2nd hand with a cracked screen for next to nothing, and get it replaced by apple/samsung/manufacturer myself. I’ve had screens replaced by cheap alternatives and they never last. Manufacturer parts are guaranteed and no problems with display/touchscreen etc.

Meckity1 · 30/08/2018 17:59

If you buy a refurbished phone from Amazon, I suggest that you get one that's from a 'fulfilled by Amazon' seller.

If you buy from eBay then I suggest you have a look at the outlet stores on there. I got a laptop from Tesco Outlet with @ £300 off previous selling price because it was last year's model, but there are a few places that have refurbished stuff on.

PattiStanger · 30/08/2018 18:03

I have a refurbished phone, I had a new one that had a problem, I'd had it for a while but as a goodwill gesture I was sent a "new"one but I know it would actually be a refurbished one, it's been totally fine but obviously the only thing that's relevant to you is the actual phone that you end up getting - who can say what that one will be like

uncomfortablydumb53 · 30/08/2018 18:24

I recently bought a refurbished iPhone SE, still in box complete, to replace my 5s which lasted 4 years The SE was launched 18 months ago, and you wouldn't know

FreiasBathtub · 30/08/2018 19:07

I have a refurbished phone from CEX, very happy with it. They grade according to the quality, mine was pretty much box fresh. Really good value .

AuditAngel · 30/08/2018 21:59

DS has ha£ 2 redpfurbished phones. First was iPhone 4 which lasted a couple of years, paid £100 from Argos, second is a Samsung A3from CEX.

Currently looking for a refurb for DD1.

iPhon3 SE is more than 18 months old as I just Paid the final month of a 2 year contract on mine.

premiertav · 30/08/2018 22:57

The SE was launched 18 months ago,

Add another year on to that

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