Trust in carrier pre-owned certified phones?

[JnEricsonx]

I'm just curious about this. Granted, I've had 4 smartphones in my life, only one wound up with a issue-and that was AFTER I got it's replacement, and I'd had it 2.5 years already. I currently use a Note 8, and am I thinking about going to a Note 10 or 10+, either would run me 10 or 11 bucks a month for 3 years, via Verizon. Now, I got my HTC Thunderbolt and Note 2 brand new back in the day, got my note 4 used but again, worked just fine for 2 and a half years, and am now on the 8, also gotten used. Am I just being over-worried or what?

 

[VidJunky]

Well IMO it depends on where you get it as to how much trouble you'll have with a device. It sounds like you're planning to get a referb from Verizon which I would say is probably a strong move. The device will likely come from Asurion and it will be tested to some degree before the sale and it is likely to come with some warranty. That will give you some time to get to know the device and feel it out for how it performs. They will likely repair or even replace it for no cost if problems arise and if you carry insurance you're really covered.

Where buying used gets shady is buying form unknowns online especially if they are deeply discounted prices. I'd say there are enough safeties built in to a carrier sale that you shouldn't have to overly worry. If you're really concerned check and see how the return policy works, what kind of warranty is offered and how big the replacement window is.

 

[Mooncatt]

Well IMO it depends on where you get it as to how much trouble you'll have with a device. It sounds like you're planning to get a referb from Verizon which I would say is probably a strong move. The device will likely come from Asurion and it will be tested to some degree before the sale and it is likely to come with some warranty. That will give you some time to get to know the device and feel it out for how it performs. They will likely repair or even replace it for no cost if problems arise and if you carry insurance you're really covered.

Any refurb I've had was through a Verizon warranty exchange, and I dubbed the term "refurb roulette" due to all the times I got a refurb with problems. I would never seek out a refurbished phone, even if from a carrier.

 

[gray2018]

Hmm... Idk about carriers, but buying certified pre-owned phones from Samsung directly for the most part has been a great experience for me. I bought a Note 10+ last year and have had zero issues with it. Runs like a champ. I was so impressed that I also bought one for my wife who also has zero issues with hers.

Buying a device from the manufacturer directly, if an option, must be a bit better than buying one from a carrier as like I said, I have had zero issues. It actually runs better than any phone I've ever used. Samsung also gives pretty good trade in deals, even with older devices.
I actually ordered an S20+ recently for around 440 dollars from Samsung with a trade in of my Note 10+. I wasn't sure whether I should get the S20 or the plus version as the S20 is a bit cheaper, but I went with the plus to try out.

Returns are also ridiculously easy through them. You don't have to speak to any customer service reps or anything like that, all done online.

 

[Chuck Finley69]

I’ve bought carrier pre-owned certified from AT&T, VZW and TMO in the past. Only issue was TMO felt like a substandard refurbished quality process, however it was a burner type prepaid lower tier model.

 

[VidJunky]

Any refurb I've had was through a Verizon warranty exchange, and I dubbed the term "refurb roulette" due to all the times I got a refurb with problems. I would never seek out a refurbished phone, even if from a carrier.

Hahaha. Very close to accurate I'm sure. I haven't specifically bought phones as used units. My experience with referbs is based on insurance claims and while I never considered it too seriously until you mentioned it, I have had at least one that needed to be replaced more than once and at least one that needed to be replaced once. Both were better than stories I've heard of multiple replacements and receiving units with the same issue as the issue prompting the replacement. But even so they were always replaced and usually without hassle.

Personally I'd rather get an older device new than try to get one used or hold off until I could get the one I wanted. But that depends on the circumstance.