are refurbished phones worth it?

[blacksocks33]

My iPhone is on its last legs and I need a new one!
I really don't want a phone contractor but the cost of a new phone is 🫨😵
Looking at the Apple refurbished phones. They have a brand new battery and shell, 1 year warranty etc etc.
has anyone bought refurbished before? Is it worth it?

Official apple route I think would be perfectly fine - what they are doing with regards to re usability and recycling is pretty impressive

Does anyone use their phone for a purpose that would mean it would somehow unsavoury for someone else to use it.

Would you buy a phone if you knew an old man had been wanking off to porn every day with the phone in one hand and his other hand down there? 😅

We've had various refurbished phones. Most have been fine, a couple haven't.
The couple that weren't:

1. When dd first got it we found it very crackly if she phoned from the beginning So about a fortnight after we bought it, we took it back. They literally looked at it (outside) and told us it was water damaged, and she must have dropped it in water (we knew she hadn't) and refused to refund. Since heard from other people they had the same issue with that shop.
2. The battery wasn't brilliant at holding charge at the beginning, but we just made sure it was always charged overnight, but after about 4 months it started freezing, needing a full reset about every couple of days. Contacted seller, who asked us to send it back, they let us know that they'd looked at it and it wasn't fit for purpose, so we could either take a refund or they'd provide us with a different similar refurbished phone. We chose the latter and they sent a definite upgrade which was a really good phone and had no problems.

So what I'd say is pick your seller carefully, and check reviews from them before you buy.

If you buy from CEX you get a two year warranty and they've always been super helpful.

We only buy refurbished phones - I honestly think there are enough smartphones in the world to go around. We’ve never had an issue and I don’t intend to ever buy a new phone.

I got an iPhone 12 from Backmarket for DD in November. They offer a 12 month warranty. After a couple of months the battery wouldn't charge, so they fixed it. Another battery problem happened a couple of weeks ago. I sent it back and asked for a refund as I didn't trust it not to break again. They refunded without hassle.

Not sure if I'd use that particular backmarket seller again, but I can't fault the customer service

I bought one from CEX. It's fabulous!

CEX was the one who claimed it was water damaged and refused to do anything for us. Their two year warranty means nothing because they can just turn round and claim it was water damaged/dropped so their "warranty" is invalid, which seems to be their default stance if anything is taken back at our local shops.

Don't touch them.

We get ours from giffgaff. Always go for the good condition ones not the best condition ones and every single one we've had has been immaculate, no issues

I got mine directly from apple. The first one did have a fault but after I went to the Genius Bar they replaced it there and then in the Apple Store and I’ve had no problems with the replacement.

I bought several from Backmarket and all were fine until the last one, I bought it as "excellent" but it was flickering from the start and then died after 2 months. I sent it back and got it fully refunded thought.

I would only buy refurbished if they have a good watertight guaranteed refund/ repair policy during at least 1 year since purchase.

I would add - its always risky but for me the price difference makes it totally worth the risk.

I’m writing this on a refurbished iPhone. Got it from Backmarket 6 months ago. All great so far!

Yes, us too. Never a problem. I'd never have a contract again - way too expensive. And unnecessary.