Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Where to buy a second hand phone?

24 replies

Givemestrengthorvodka · 08/10/2023 22:01

I'm looking to get my son his first phone. Would like a second hand iPhone but wary of buying off Facebook marketplace or ebay etc. Does anyone have experience of a reputable place to buy second hand phones? Thanks!

OP posts:
SabrinaThwaite · 08/10/2023 22:05

We’ve used Music Magpie a couple of times - happy with the service.

BananaSlug · 08/10/2023 22:06

ebay Is good as any issues and you will get a refund, I definitely wouldn’t buy off Facebook.

Rocknrollstar · 08/10/2023 22:06

We have used Music Magpie and also Tesco who sell reconditioned iPhones. Both were good.

Ratfinkstinkypink · 08/10/2023 22:07

Back Market

stringbean · 08/10/2023 22:07

I've bought from Backmarket and found their products very good. Dh and I each bought iPhones from there and dd bought an iPad

Dessertinthedesert · 08/10/2023 22:08

Apple sell reconditioned phones.

Dessertinthedesert · 08/10/2023 22:09

Although I’ve just checked the current prices of reconditioned apple phone and nearly had a heart attack!

AiryFairy1 · 08/10/2023 22:09

Giff gaff also do reconditioned phones

hexsnidgett · 08/10/2023 22:12

CEX are my go to for anything like this. My last phone was only about 6 months old and in A1 condition, but I saved loads (can't remember).
Their website is really good at filtering too, unloke most!Hmm

NicAndNick · 08/10/2023 23:04

I second CEX. You can order online or go in and look at it. They will guarantee for 12ish months.

lassiedog · 08/10/2023 23:17

Amazon Renewed (on Amazon). They're refurbished and are a decent price plus come with a 1 year warranty.

Any issues, I've always found Amazon's returns policy to be 10 out of 10.

Moogoopixie · 09/10/2023 00:05

Ebay if theirs a issue it'll be sorted wouldn't trust marketplace on Facebook

FlemishHorse · 09/10/2023 00:07

Another vote for CEX.

RubyRubyRubyRubay · 09/10/2023 00:16

Backmarket are brilliant. Recommended by whatsisname Martin Lewis

Babymamamama · 09/10/2023 00:21

Cex or back market. Of the two I would choose cex. But both are fine.

Iamlikesorry · 09/10/2023 00:21

Always used music magpie- been very happy.

zen1 · 09/10/2023 00:27

Cash Converters online. Cheaper than CEX and come with a warranty. Also, if you browse the website and see one you like, you can often phone the store where it’s held and negotiate on price. I’ve only ever bought second hand iPhones (quite a few over the last 10 years). I’ve found Cash Converters excellent and eBay good too (only ever buy from sellers with a lot of excellent feedback).

TaaLaa · 09/10/2023 08:05

Another vote for cex.

Needmorelego · 09/10/2023 08:07

I'm another that says CEX. Their staff are usually very knowledgeable about what they are selling and always helpful.

Cheesecake53 · 09/10/2023 09:26

Another vote for giffgaff. Their refurbished phones come with a guarantee. https://www.giffgaff.com/mobile-phones/refurbished

https://www.giffgaff.com/mobile-phones/refurbished

BodegaSushi · 09/10/2023 14:26

Giffgaff. I'm on my second refurbished one from them. They come unlocked and you put whatever sim you want in it.

BodegaSushi · 09/10/2023 14:30

I've just had a look at CEX for the exactly model/storage of the iPhone I recently bought from Giffgaff. It's £190 more!

Music Magpie is showing £60-£130 more.

Definitely shop around.

Givemestrengthorvodka · 09/10/2023 22:29

Thanks everyone! I've gone for one from Backmarket, price was good and hopefully their definition of 'excellent condition' will match mine!

OP posts:
loopylou76 · 09/10/2023 22:36

Re CEX, I just want to pop my experience in. It was very likely a one off but it happened none the less.

I bought a second hand iPhone from there, perfect condition and had no problems with it for about 3/4 months. One day, I was suddenly not able to use it to make calls / texts / use data but WiFi worked. Not a network issue, tried different SIMs.
It took a couple of days to come to the conclusion to try, but I did a background check on the phone and it came up that it was reported stolen and currently blocked. I contacted CEX who said it was out of their returns window but if I had a police crime number they 'might' refund me.
Long story short, the phone was seized by the police, I did eventually get a refund and I vowed to never buy from CEX again. Police believed that it was probably an insurance scam.

Since then I've bought all mobile phones brand new SIM free (giffgaff SIMs) as I don't want the hassle.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page