Many Blackberry users constantly upgrade their devices to keep up with the newest technologies. Buying a used Blackberry phone from eBay can save you quite a bit of money. However, safety precautionary measures should be taken to avoid any possible scams. Here are some tips to ensure that you have a rewarding and safe experience buying a Blackberry device from eBay.
Before you bid on a specific Blackberry:
- Check the seller's feedback - stick to sellers above 99; 98 with caution. Also, the higher the feedback score, the more experience and success they have as a seller.
- Ask the seller possible further questions:
- Condition: Is the device used or brand new in unopened box?
- Is it locked or unlocked?
- What is the IMEI? (International Mobile Equipment Identity)
- Are there additional images of the phone you can look at? (eg. if they claim its unlocked...request photo proof of it, or if the picture looks generic or ripped off from someone else)
- Is there an IT policy?
- Are the water sensors intact?
- Is there are refund guarantee if you receive it dead on arrival?
- With the requested IMEI, you can call the company the device is branded to in order to ensure that it is not a lost or stolen device. See if the PIN and IMEI have been released.
After receiving your Blackberry:
- Make sure that it is unlocked.
- Make sure there is an IT policy on it. To check: go to Options -> Security -> General Settings. Under services, find the IT policy; If you see any references to it, you will need to remove it.
- It is recommended that you wipe the device for a fresh start.
- If it is locked, you can get it unlocked.
If the received device was not properly described (and you are not satisfied):
- Immediately contact the seller and demand a full refund.
- If they refuse:
- Contact credit card company and file for fraud protection.
- File a dispute with PayPal and eBay
- Report fraud at local police department
- Leave negative feedback for the seller.
Other tips:
- Limit payments to credit card since many cards offer fraud protection. PayPal is safe, but uses a dispute system where you may only be able to recover a small portion of your loss from the seller.
- Save all correspondence with the seller for dispute records
- Use feedback before and after each transaction.
- Obtain tracking information from FedEx or UPS etc..
- Research here for market place price ranges since "retail" prices are not accurate. Relying on actual sold prices as opposed to speculated prices will inevitably help gauge what you ideally should be paying for your Blackberry.
