Last Updated on April 11, 2019 by Jay
A new iPad can be a big and hefty purchase. If you’re on a budget, you might want to consider purchasing a used iPad. If well-cared for, a used iPad can operate almost just as well as a new one.
If you decide to make this purchase, there are certain steps to take before during and after you’ve bought the iPad to make sure you’re buying a product that will last you a while.
What to Know When Buying a Used iPad?
Focus on some of these factors before you decide to purchase a used iPad.
Where to buy a used iPad
There are two main places you can purchase your used iPad from:
Refurbished From Apple
A common option that consists of little to no hassle is to buy an iPad at the Apple store. Not only are they cheaper when refurbished, the employees at Apple check them to make sure they are still functioning well.
Unlike purchasing a used iPad anywhere else, they’re first repaired to the point of being almost as good as new. They will also have a new battery installed.
Sometimes, Apple does so well with the refurbishment, people can’t even tell they’re used iPads.
Unfortunately, since these iPads are refurbished and repaired, they sometimes won’t be as cheap as buying them used from a different source.
Swappa.com
What sets Swappa apart from the from other online sources is that they specialize in selling used and refurbished iPads, as well as other tech and other devices. This is to the benefit of the buyers because straight away Swapps provides the peace of mind with a customer service team that knows their market and will stand by their device that is sold through their website.
Swappa offers competitive pricing across all iPads.. That is a really important option because sadly what you’ll find with less established selling platforms is that iPads.
By being able to search for unlocked iPad handsets, and for a network, Swappa makes it easier when shopping for a refurbished iPhone with the click of a button. When you add to that every iPad is checked for quality and functionality.
Pros
- Each handset is checked for quality and functionality
- Each handset is unlocked for use with any carrier
Amazon.com
Amazon will be the name that first comes to mind for many of us. You can buy anything and everything on there, including a used, refurbished iPhone at a competitive price. Because there are so many sellers on there, you may see prices that appear far below those on other platforms, but when you see these apparent deals of a lifetime, I would always suggest proceeding with caution. There are some great vendors that offer refurbished unlocked iPhones but check their seller ratings and comments.
One thing to consider when approaching Amazon is that because they offer many vendors who sell on Amazon. Your buying experience mostly be the same from seller to seller. While there many talented and professional sellers, there is always room for that small number of people who spoil the experience for the rest of us. As mentioned before, double check that they are certified phones, unlocked and comes with a some assurance. The nice thing is Amazon has a solid return policy which is typically 30 days (double check the return policy with with product).
Pros
- Lots of vendors to get competitive pricing
- Fast delivery with Amazon Prime
- Great refund policy with Amazon
Finding the Best Price for Used iPads
The price of your iPad is dependent on several different factors. If you are searching for a more high-quality and long-lasting iPad, then you’ll want to search for one that is refurbished and has been checked for good quality and durability.
If you just need an iPad that won’t be used to often, buying one on Craigslist, eBay or Amazon could be your best option.
You will be able to find iPad products on those sites for a way lower price than in an apple store. Once again, both decisions are dependent on whether the quality of the product is worth the extra dollar you’re spending.
Buying the Warranty
In addition to the purchase of the iPad itself, you’ll also want to look into getting a warranty for this device. This is especially important for a used iPad, as it has already been used and/or repaired before, so it has a greater chance of breaking. The best warranty to purchase is one from AppleCare Protection.
Their plan will extend your iPad’s plan for two years after the iPad is bought. A warranty isn’t cheap and is definitely an investment, but many people find it to be worth it so they don’t have to risk an excessive amount of money if their iPad breaks soon after it’s purchased.
Checking the iPad’s Condition
Whether your newly-purchased used Ipad is being bought in the apple store or on Craigslist, the first thing you’ll need to do before reaching for your wallet and purchasing is to make sure it’s in a good enough condition to take home and use long-term.
Screen and Body Damage
Find a spot with a lot of sunlight and see if there are any noticeable scratches on the screen of the iPad. One or two here and there can be understandable, but if you find too many, it could affect your user experience.
Also, be sure to look at the corners to see if it has ever been handled roughly or fallen on the ground. It should be alright as long as it hasn’t been dropped too many times and isn’t affecting how the device is operating overall.
Charger, Headphone Ports and Buttons
Sometimes when buying a used iPad, the buttons and ports could be broken, and the seller might still try to convince you to purchase it. Before buying, plug the respective charger into the iPad, making sure it fits properly. Then place the charger into any outlet. Check if it begins to charge quickly. Do the same thing with the headphones you’re planning to use with this iPad.
Once you’ve checked for charging and headphone performance, keep the headphones in and try to turn the volume up and down. Then, click the power button to make sure it works correctly by turning the iPad on and off successfully.
Activating your iCloud Account
Buying a used iPad can be cheap and convenient, but sometimes it can be a little risky. People can steal a phone with the intention of trying to resell to you.
With a new Apple feature, Activation Lock used on ios 7, the iPad can’t be wiped out and reused if the original owner activates “find my iPhone”. They won’t be able to do anything with the iPad until the original user unlocks it with their username and password. Learn more about how to unlock an iCloud activation unlock in our past article.
You’re also able to look up if it’s stolen by going online to icloud.com/activationlock and entering the iPad’s serial number, which is located in the Settings section. You will then be told whether or not the iPad has been stolen. Be sure to do this before purchasing the iPad from the seller.
Another alternative is to have the seller reset the iPad while you watch. It normally doesn’t take too long. All they will do is put in their iCloud info, then you should be set. If it were a stolen iPad, they wouldn’t have been able to put in any iCloud info. Once this happens, you can purchase the product with little to no worries.
Conclusion
Buying a used iPad can be a wise move that saves you hassle and money. You just need to be smart when making this purchase. Make sure you’re buying a quality product that works properly. Once you’ve determined this, you’ll be the proud owner of a used iPad.
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