• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Is it not possible to buy a certified phone from vendors?

Actually, you can. Verizon has a Certified Pre-Owned program for you to buy a "Certified Like-New" device... and it even comes with a warranty AND insurance, if you want it. It's greatly discounted because it's technically "used", but all that means is that someone got the phone (usually through the mail from the website) and didnt like it for some reason and returned it in echange for another phone. It's not because it was defective in any way because those are listed as DOA and dont get refurbed.... so you know it works. It's not a bad deal... call customer service and ask about it. :)
 
Upvote 0
Actually, you can. Verizon has a Certified Pre-Owned program for you to buy a "Certified Like-New" device... and it even comes with a warranty AND insurance, if you want it. It's greatly discounted because it's technically "used", but all that means is that someone got the phone (usually through the mail from the website) and didnt like it for some reason and returned it in echange for another phone. It's not because it was defective in any way because those are listed as DOA and dont get refurbed.... so you know it works. It's not a bad deal... call customer service and ask about it. :)

Right. So how are people getting away with these prices? How much does a certified phone cost?
 
Upvote 0
I have NO idea why people pay that much.... maybe because they dont know that VZW that program, and they feel like they're backed into a corner? Or... maybe they are buying them to resell at an even bigger profit.... Who knows. I agree that it's ludicris tho. I think that's why VZW came up with the program.... it was very much needed!

Also, the price for the pre-owned devices depends on the device.... Anything in particular?
 
Upvote 0
I have NO idea why people pay that much.... maybe because they dont know that VZW that program, and they feel like they're backed into a corner? Or... maybe they are buying them to resell at an even bigger profit.... Who knows. I agree that it's ludicris tho. I think that's why VZW came up with the program.... it was very much needed!

Also, the price for the pre-owned devices depends on the device.... Anything in particular?

I want a MOTO Droid to hold me down for a while. The pricing is not listed on their site, which means I have go through HELL to get information.
 
Upvote 0
A 'like new' Moto Droid is 289. through Verizon, they don't have them in stores, you have to call. I called a few weeks ago and that is the price I was given, my sister was considering it (and still is).
I got prices for a few different phones and they all seemed to be half of the listed retail from the site. They are warrantied for a year, I asked about that specifically.
 
Upvote 0
They sell them for half price, just like I am selling my HTC Hero for ($200 plus shipping which is actually less than the 50% that the retailer is going to charge IF they happen to have one that someone brought back). I, and many like me decided to upgrade to a phone that they have been waiting for and are just trying to get part of the money originally paid. In my case I bought a new HTC EVO 4G because 4G is now in my market.

Is that such a bad thing?
 
Upvote 0
Right. So how are people getting away with these prices?
People pay those prices. Economics 101. Just because you find something to be overpriced doesn't mean that the majority does as well.

And people are paying boo-koo bucks for them on eBay.
That's a trend for any product on ebay. Just becuase it's on ebay doesn't mean that it's a deal.

maybe because they dont know that VZW that program
There also seems to be a general aversion to recertified devices.
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones