If I buy a used Galaxy Nexus . . .

[Milo2]

If I buy a used Galaxy Nexus . . .

1) is there any way to tell how old the phone actually is? How long it has been in use?

2) is there anyway to tell if the phone has any typical problems? Obviously I can look over the phone for scratches, make sure the physical buttons work, and place a call, but what about other possible problems? Are there other things I should try before handing over my cash?

3) is getting the phone to its original state really just as simple as hitting 'factory restore'?

4) is the phone still under warranty (in the first year) if I buy used? Do I need a receipt to prove it's under warranty?

5) and would $100 bucks off the new price on Goggle Play be worth it to you? I know it's already great price new, but I need to find a bargain.

Thanks for any answers.

 

[Paul627g]

Hello

Purchasing a used device can difficult. Your putting trust in what the seller is telling you is correct.

Anyhow main thing to check with first is that the phone has no outstanding bills attached to it. Most phones this is known as a bad ESN. Before finalizing any transaction I would contact the carrier you plan on connecting it with and have the ESN or MEID numbers under the battery cover ran to verify its clean.

Second aside from obvious physical damage and hands on try out of the device to make sure basic functions work there really isn't much more to check.

Warranty speaking you should have 1 year factory warranty thru Samsung on the device. Not sure about the receipt deal. Should be 1 year from original date of sale to first owner.

As far as checking the actual life of the device I think there is a dialer code to get into a programming/diagnostic mode that can provide this info. I don't know it off the top of my head. Google search of dialer codes for galaxy nexus should pop up something.

Resetting the device back to factory stock is a easy task with the galaxy nexus. There are plenty of guides here at Android Central to do that if the phone has been rooted. If it's still stock then yes a simple factory reset will handle the job.

Cost, considering the average new price for high end phone today is $200 on contract with US carriers, $100 off would be a decent deal. Most phone's in working condition for the first year or two from original release hold a very good value on the market.


Hope this helps.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

 

[Milo2]

Anyhow main thing to check with first is that the phone has no outstanding bills attached to it. Most phones this is known as a bad ESN. Before finalizing any transaction I would contact the carrier you plan on connecting it with and have the ESN or MEID numbers under the battery cover ran to verify its clean.

Thanks for the information. I'm planning on buying a Tmobile model, so if I understand what ESN's are all about I think I'm fine, right? That is, since I'll be using my SIM am I right to think that there will be no problems with outstanding bills?

Bummer about the warranty policy.

 

[Paul627g]

Thanks for the information. I'm planning on buying a Tmobile model, so if I understand what ESN's are all about I think I'm fine, right? That is, since I'll be using my SIM am I right to think that there will be no problems with outstanding bills?

Bummer about the warranty policy.

You should be fine but it wouldn't hurt to check with T-Mobile before finalizing the deal. I would assume even SIM card using phones have their own ways they can be black listed by carriers for out standing bills by a previous owner.

Better safe than sorry

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

 

[patruns]

I am a little confused about the blacklisting for outstanding bills comment. Usually phones are blacklisted for being previously reported as stolen. On top of that, the GSM Nexus has never been sold here as part of a contract. Verizon and Sprint have versions under contract but AT&T and T-Mobile never sold them. Not being under contract, a cell company would have no legal right to place a lien on the phone. Nonetheless, the recommendation to check with the carrier is certainly a good idea.

 

[Paul627g]

I am a little confused about the blacklisting for outstanding bills comment. Usually phones are blacklisted for being previously reported as stolen. On top of that, the GSM Nexus has never been sold here as part of a contract. Verizon and Sprint have versions under contract but AT&T and T-Mobile never sold them. Not being under contract, a cell company would have no legal right to place a lien on the phone. Nonetheless, the recommendation to check with the carrier is certainly a good idea.

I understand what you're saying about the no contract for the GSM models. There has been some discussion about that in the past because you would think whichever carrier T-Mobile or AT&T would have some control over those who do skip out on their monthly bill. Not sure how it's handled with them exactly.

Anyhow all good advice for buyers to check as much as possible before buying used and getting into a stolen or blocked ESN phone.


Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums