Getting the best smartphone deals is especially important in age of $700+ phones. Recently Statista.com found that since 2013 smartphone prices have been increasing with the average smartphone price-tag reaching $567 in 2017. Who the honestly wants to spend $567 on a smartphone??
The following tips below will highlight some of the more effective ways to get the best smartphone deals and ultimately save yourself more money.
Avoid buying phones on credit or ‘plans’
Most phone service companies like to offer contracts that are packaged as X amount a month to get the latest phone. The problem with that contract is that by the time the phone is paid off it ends up costing hundreds more. I’ve seen firsthand where a phone that would cost $400 out of contract ends up costing $600 on contract.
Buy refurbished phones
Most manufacturers offer refurbished phones for a fraction of the price. Most refurb units are phones that were returned to the manufacturer for varying reasons and then the manufacturer refurbished the unit to original condition. The best part about manufacturer refurbished phones are that most come with a manufacturer warranty!
Start using Swappa.com
Swappa.com is one of the premiere website for selling new and used smartphones. Often you can find phones that are traditionally $500 for as low as $200. The best part is that you can negotiate with the seller on the price and request more information or photos. One of the last phones I bought was through Swappa and the transaction went about as seamless as buying it from a store.
Used phones are also a great option
Surprisingly, some people take care of their phones! In this case they often sell their old phone once they upgrade. While many used phones are not the newest model you can score a year or so old model for very little cost. Craigslist is still one of the best local options for you to find used phones nearby. As always make sure you test the phone out before buying it and stay safe when you do it.
Amazon gives deep discounts on featured phones
Both Amazon and Ebay are still two of the more prominent smartphone resources. Amazon in recent years has done an excellent job showcasing affordable Amazon Prime exclusive smartphones that don’t sacrifice quality. Blu and Moto G series are two of the more heavily featured phones on Amazon and both are offered for a reduced rate if bought through amazon.
Check upgrade promotions
Many carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint offer upgrade deals on purchased phones. For example, not long-ago Verizon offered a promotion that gave you $200 off a new phone if you traded in an old blackberry phone. This is a perfect way to recycle your old phone and get a deeply discounted item.
Consider going with a more affordable carrier
There are plenty of cheaper carrier services out there that cost $15-$25 a month. This way you can use the money you save each month towards a newer phone. Services like Ting, Freedom Pop, and Republic Wireless are just a few.
Promo codes are always handy
The last time I bought a phone on Ebay I checked retailmenot.com for Ebay promos and found they had a $20 off code on any smartphone over $200. Likewise, Amazon also frequently runs promotions for Amazon Warehouse items, some where you can get 20% off a purchase. It just takes a moment and it’s often something people forget to check. Why not, it only takes a second!
If buying from a store don’t forget to negotiate the price
Many phone resellers are willing to wiggle on the price, especially if you’re buying the phone off outright. Some will even throw in perks, such as accessories, extended warranty coverage, and even higher data caps. Remember, if they are unwilling to negotiate just simply find another reseller who will. It’s their loss!
Lastly, don’t be afraid to wait for a deal
This may seem anticlimactic but often the best way to get a great deal on anything is simply waiting for one to show itself. With smartphones that is especially the case. About a year or so ago I remember being in a cellphone upgrade conundrum where I had slim pickings on phones in my budget. After about a month or so of waiting eventually I found a deal that netted me a top tier phone and without destroying my budget.
Final Word: 9 Ways to Get the Best Smartphone Deals
I always use the last phone I bought on ebay as a prime example of how to get the best smartphone deals. After waiting for the right listing I managed to get a newer model manufacturer refurbished phone for $190 after also using a $20 promotion and getting 10% back in ebay bucks. Otherwise the phone would have been almost $250, still an amazing deal without all the discounts.
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