The purpose of this guide it to better explain buying. Many people turn to ebay to find cheap used phones (as many others do) to avoid paying high prices inside retail stores and avoid the anoying rebates options

There are a couple of things you need to know before purchasing a cell phone on ebay

1. Ask for the ESN  if the phone is not brand new.

  Many sellers especially those with little or no feedback will say "I can't display or tell you the phone for security reasons" Thats nonsense you need the ESN  to make sure the phone is not stolen or lost and found (which many of them are) Phones that are stolen or reported as lost have the same effect they can't be activated that ESN is dead. If they (seller) refuse to give you the ESN  then dont bid or buy if you've already bid retract your bid or politely ask the seller to cancel your bid and that you will not be able to pay if you win the auction. If you do obtain the ESN call the cell phone company where the cell phone was used and ask them to check on an ESN for you or take the number into a store (verizon, cingular, nextel etc.)

2.       Make sure you know why the seller is  selling the phone

This is self-explanatory almost anything you buy off ebay its important to know why its being sold.

3.       Make sure the seller puts the condition of the phone in the auction

  Be weary of phones that have only been used for a little while but are sold "AS-IS" if the phone works why are you selling the phone "AS-IS" Because what will happen is a buyer email the seller after he has received his phone and say "Hey my phone doesn't work but you said it was only used for two weeks I want my money back" and the seller will simply say "The phone was sold AS-IS" and there is nothing you can do about that and thats with any auction (computers, cameras etc.)

Thank you and I hope you found this guide helpful