i phone - buying through ebay

[bunny0410]

Hi,

just want some advise on buying an i-phone through ebay.

Many i-phone for sale on here, is there any problems buying online?

Is there any thing I should be aware of?

Is there country specific models or they all the same?

The ones I've thought about buying from all seem to be good sellers with excellent feedback. New phone, so is the warranty valid?

Thanks

[patchoo78]

Seems profit is more important than product.

That is exactly why Apple make their phones with batteries that can't be replaced

[the3coopers]

That is exactly why Apple make their phones with batteries that can't be replaced

The battery on the iPhone 4 and 4S are replaceable just the same as any other phone. You just have to remove 2 screws to slide the back off.

The battery in the older iPhone 3 and 3GS are also replaceable, but since the body is "one piece" (there's no back) this must be done from the front, which is not able to be done by the consumer (but a repair shop can certainly do it)

[kc2807]

I recently brought an iPhone and found that the seller had mis-advertised the model. I'm in the process of getting a refund via Paypal as the seller was uncooperative. Based on this my advice is:-

- know your iPhones. Each model has something different so know what you arepaying for e.g. An iPhone 3G doesn't have video capture but a 3 GS does.

- ask the seller to confirm the model no. I have found many sellers to advertise iPhone 3 as iPhone 3GS. You can check model numbers on thee Apple website.

- don't buy any from oversees as they cold be fakes.

- buy from sellers who allow returns, as it's a sign of a genuine seller.

- get pictures of the iPhone to assess wear. Many sellers understate the level of wear.

- check the sellers rating and don't buy from anyone with negative feedback.

Good luck!

[lane-ends]

second hand iphones can have been treated roughly and baged around. I know my kids just chuck them down on the chair /floor/table. get sat on stood on. Even if they dont show physical damage / scratches, they can suddenly fail after this treatment.

Prices are falling and deals are getting better for new models so you are probably better off getting say a new nokia lumina 710 rather than a second hand iphone 3gs for example. In other words new budget models are as good or better than superceeded top end models.

[peternt2001]

couldnt agree with the last poster more, i got a brand new samsung galaxy ace GT unlocked for $185 and i absolutely love the phone and the android 2.3 that it runs .

[phorum_junkie*]

- don't buy any from oversees as they cold be fakes

Don't buy from overseas because even if they are not fake you cannot return them if there is a fault. You cannot post anything with lithium batteries overseas and you can only send them within Australia if they have a road only sticker so if you see a phone listed with Express Post or Click & Send you can be sure that at best the seller doesn't have a clue and at worst is a scammer.

[the_hawk*]

Just from bought a new iphone 4S from mpkcomputers on ebay, very happy and was as advertised. Quick delivery full warranty. Would recommend a look.

That will be great until you need warranty work done and it turns out they are not an authorised reseller or worse its a grey import