Galaxy Note 7 refurbished deals aren’t all that hard to come across. As more and more flagships come out, the pricing of older smartphones like the Galaxy Note 7 will keep on going down – especially on the used market.
However, buying a used or refurbished smartphone isn’t the same thing as getting a brand-new one. There are a few associated risks with used electronics. Things like scams, lack of warranty, bad packaging, extra fees that may escape you, and more.
That’s why we decided to write this article. Without any further ado, let’s get right into it!
Galaxy Note 7 Refurbished VS Used: Why Should I Care?
When looking for phones into the used market, the very first thing that you’ll come across is the term “Used” or “Refurbished”. It may seem like they are the same thing – but there’s a bit more to it than what meets the eye.
A used phone could be anything. Is it used for a day? A month? A year? And how about cracks, scratches, and the overall working condition? As far as used smartphones are concerned, there is a huge gamma of picks to choose from. That’s why we use grades to classify the overall condition of a used device – more on that later.
Refurbished devices, on the other hand, need to be, well, refurbished! A refurbished smartphone is a phone that has been restored to a brand-new like state either by in-store technicians or even by the manufacturer.
So, generally speaking, a refurbished phone is almost always in a better condition compared to a used phone. The repairs on a refurbished device could be anything from cosmetic clean-ups to even screen and battery replacements (Refer to your seller’s info page for that).
Phones typically only receive cleaning treatment or maybe a battery replacement at best. But, other electronics, such as laptops or desktops can also be found with replaced hard drives and keyboards!
TL;DR: A used phone can be in any state from a brand-new device to something that’s only suitable for parts. Refurbished phones, on the other hand, should be restored by technicians to at the very least a decent state where you won’t have any major issues.
Reasons to Get a Refurbished or Used Smartphone
As we mentioned in the beginning, getting a used or refurbished device is absolutely more risky than buying a new one. You may end up getting scammed, getting something that’s in a worse condition than promised, and more. So, why even bother?
Well, the first obvious advantage is that used devices are much cheaper. It’s not unusual to find a used phone at half of its original price. Sometimes even lower than that – especially on older models.
Other than that, there’s also the fact that older phones are usually much easier to find used rather than brand-new. And that’s especially true with “Controversial/Problematic” cases like with the Note 7 with the explosions and everything.
Not to mention that used/refurbished phones make for great backup devices. After all, you usually don’t have to give an arm and a leg in order to afford them. And that’s especially useful for pros who absolutely need a backup device to always be on standby.
Last, but not least, when buying a used device, there’s always the option of getting it unlocked. This can save you money in the long run if you decide to change carrier as unlocking a phone costs money.
Refurbished Note 7 Buying Guide
Buying a used device can be a bit risky. So, here are a few things that you need to look out for before leaving your order:
- Seller background
- Overall condition of the phone
- Carrier-locked devices
- Hidden fees and charges
1: Seller Background
Buying from 3rd party sellers means that you are putting yourself at a higher risk of getting scammed, receiving a faulty product, or anything like that. After all, who’d you consider to be more reliable? Verizon? Or a random stranger on the Internet?
So, the very first thing that you need to do is restrict the buying options down to specific platforms. Platforms with a great reputation and a long history of great customer satisfaction. Some of the best online ones at the moment are:
- Swappa
- Amazon (Link leads to the S7 since the Note 7 isn’t available at the moment – but make your own research when you are ready to buy just in case)
- Samsung
These are the best platforms for getting refurbished devices. However, since the Note 7 is a rather special case, chances are that you won’t be able to find there. So, if you don’t, try hitting eBay instead. It’s a bit riskier since the sellers have more freedom (More on that later). But if it’s your only choice, you’ll have to make do with it.
Under other circumstances, Swappa or Amazon are your best bet. Especially Swappa as it’s particularly made for selling and buying used or refurbished electronics.
Samsung is quite possibly the best since it’s the original manufacturer. However, the truth is that the availability of refurbished phones there is often non-existent.
Apart from platforms, do also keep an eye out for individual seller ratings. Platforms such as Swappa, Amazon, and eBay, rely on 3rd party sellers and some of them aren’t exactly trustworthy!
2: Overall Condition of the Phone
When getting a used refurbished phone, the first thing that you need to look out for is its condition. Keep an eye out for cosmetic, or, even worse, functional damages in areas like the display, battery, speakers, etc.
Individual platforms and sellers have their own descriptions to define the condition of used phones. But, here’s what you can generally expect:
- Refurbished/Brand-new/Grade A: Means that the device is in a very good condition
- Mint, Grade B/Grade C: A phone that suffers from cosmetical damages – but nothing that would affect usability and performance
- Only for repairs, Grade D: Damaged or not working at all (Broken display, bricked, faulty speaker or battery, etc)
Again, different platforms and sellers have their own descriptions. So, make sure to check their own description before buying. It would be for the best if you can also get your hands on actual pictures of the phone.
3: Carrier Locked Devices
Carriers tend to lock phones so that if you buy it from them, you’ll only be able to use it with their own SIM card or e-SIM. The US and Canada are currently the two regions that suffer the most from this.
Ideally, your Refurbished Note 7 should be unlocked so that you’ll be able to use it with any carrier. If you happen to find one that’s locked down to your carrier, then that’s fine as well. Just make sure that you’re not intending on changing carriers in the near future.
That being said, some unlocked devices may refuse to work with a specific carrier. That’s because carriers don’t like it when you unlock their devices and in some cases, they do indeed prevent you from using their services after they realize that you unlocked it.
4: Hidden Fees and/or Taxes
One big trap that a lot of inexperienced shoppers tend to fall far is the pit of hidden fees and taxes. The most common one is the import fees.
See, when you buy something from outside of your country or region, you’re automatically being treated as an importer. This means that you’ll have to pay any taxes or fees that are associated with importing goods to the country.
The exact regulations and laws differ from region to region. So, make your own research before buying.
Some sellers use various tricks to get around these fees – such as printing a fake/lower price. But don’t get your hopes up.
Refurbished Note 7 Buying Guide: Wrapping Up
That’s all for now. If that’s too much information to take in at once, here’s everything that we talked about in this article as fast and simply as possible:
- Best and safest refurbished Note 7 deals: Swappa, Amazon, and Samsung are the best places to get a used or refurbished Samsung devices. But, due to the situation at hand, you’ll probably have to resort to eBay just this once
- Refurbished VS used: Refurbished devices are generally restored to a decent condition by technicians while used phones could be anything from brand-new to unbootable
- Reasons to opt for a refurbished/used device: Cheaper, free carrier unlock, and generally offers more market options
- Things to look out for: Platform and seller reputation, carrier restrictions, hidden charges, and the phone’s condition
That’s all for now. If you’ve got any other questions, feel free to reach out to us in the comments section and the WTLS team will get back to you!
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