Buying smartphone off ebay?

[Red Squirrel]

I've been in the market for a smart phone, I just can't justify paying 600+ bucks for one, and if I buy at discounted price through my carrier I need to get a data plan, and at 100MB cap, I don't see the point of it. Data is one of those things I'll either use, or I wont, and if I do use it, chances are I'll want to do more than transfer a couple text files once in a while.

I'm finding quite a large selection on ebay, such as this one which looks promising:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/UNLOCKED-Sam...1012462899?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item416da5e533

Is there any catches I need to look out for when looking at the various phones? Some seem too cheap to be true for being new. Or is it because they're older models?

 

[Pylon]

Have you considered the new Nexus 4? Not sure how much it is in Canada, but down here in the US it's $299 unlocked for the 8 gig model.

 

[Red Squirrel]

If it's $300 in the US it will probably be closer to $600 here. Just how things work. It's not released here yet from what I've checked but I can wait and see. I'm more looking in the $200 range though, so I'm fine with older models or refurbished models.

 

[pinkiwong]

It would seem wise to determine how much data usage you are going to need. Your post seems to show that this would be a key point in your decision in buying a phone whether off of Ebay or otherwise.

 

[Ocellaris]

I'm finding quite a large selection on ebay, such as this one which looks promising:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/UNLOCKED-Sam...1012462899?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item416da5e533

Is there any catches I need to look out for when looking at the various phones? Some seem too cheap to be true for being new. Or is it because they're older models?

That phone looks HORRIBLE unless you need a rugged phone. Old processor, super low resolution 320x480 screen, and old version of Android. Spec-wise, that is pretty close to prepaid Android phones you can buy in the state for <$100 on sale.

 

[E^vol]

If it's $300 in the US it will probably be closer to $600 here. Just how things work. It's not released here yet from what I've checked but I can wait and see. I'm more looking in the $200 range though, so I'm fine with older models or refurbished models.

FYI, the Nexus 4 8gb is $309 and the 16gb model is $359 CAD and will be available as of next Tuesday (Nov 13th). They are unlocked. Can you guess what I'm buying?

Link: https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_16gb

 

[Emil Sinclair]

not sure if it's a great idea, i got one lately and i wasnt sure about the authenticity of it. it was a nokia n8 - checked out all the serial numbers and they're legitimate but something doesnt feel right about it.

 

[jmagelitz]

Why 100MB cap?

 

[Red Squirrel]

FYI, the Nexus 4 8gb is $309 and the 16gb model is $359 CAD and will be available as of next Tuesday (Nov 13th). They are unlocked. Can you guess what I'm buying?

Link: https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_16gb

At that price that's pretty good for a new phone. I think I will wait and get this. 8GB will probably be fine for me, I don't really plan to store anything on the phone. Do most new phones just show up as a mass storage device when I plug it in to a computer? I use Linux, so I don't want anything that requires any special Windows software.

As for 100MB cap, that's as high as it goes without getting into plans that are super expensive. They installed new towers, added 300mbps links to each one, yet they're capping it like it was 1980. Sucks, but nothing I can do. So I rather just buy a phone outright and stick with a voice only plan. The main reason I want a new phone is to have one that supports wifi and apps. My current blackberry does not.

 

[ClockerXP]

You will want to make sure the phone you are looking at has a clean ESN with the carrier. You can get the number from the seller ahead of time and check the ESN online with most carriers, I think. I know you can with Sprint & Verizon.