Buying a secondhand phone online might seem like a bargain, but what are the risks? Read how buying refurbished from a store protects you.
Door Jalil Barati
Gepubliceerd: 2026-08-05
You're scrolling online, spot an iPhone 13 for €280 and think: that's a great deal. But before you hit "send message", it's worth pausing to consider what you're actually buying — and what you don't know. Buying a secondhand phone can work out perfectly, but it can also go badly wrong. We'll give you an honest breakdown of the risks involved and when a refurbished phone from a certified store is the smarter choice.
Quick summary: A secondhand phone bought privately comes with no warranty, no quality check and no recourse if things go wrong. A refurbished phone from a certified store gives you a full technical inspection, a minimum battery capacity of 85%, a 2-year warranty and 30 days to return it — often at a very similar price.
Secondhand simply means: previously used, now being sold again. That's the broad definition. A secondhand phone could be from yesterday — or from three years ago, with a cracked housing and a battery that barely lasts a day. The word "secondhand" tells you nothing about the condition of the device.
Refurbished goes a step further. A refurbished phone has been professionally inspected, repaired where necessary and certified before being resold. That difference might sound small, but in practice you'll notice it right away.
We see it regularly at our workshop in Nijverdal: someone comes in with a phone they bought privately, and within a few weeks there's already a problem. Sound familiar? You're definitely not alone.
At The Phone Shopper, every device goes through an extensive technical inspection of more than 50 checkpoints before it reaches our store or webshop. No assumptions, no taking a previous owner's word for it — just measuring and testing.
The big question: is a secondhand phone bought privately actually cheaper? Honestly: sometimes by a small margin, but not always as much as you'd think. And once you factor in the risks, the balance tips quickly in the other direction.
| Model | Average private sale price | Refurbished at The Phone Shopper | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 (128 GB) | €270 – €320 | From €289 | 2 years |
| iPhone 14 (128 GB) | €380 – €460 | From €399 | 2 years |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 (128 GB) | €300 – €370 | From €319 | 2 years |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | €180 – €240 | From €199 | 2 years |
The price difference is often €20 to €50. But add to that the cost of a battery replacement (€39 to €79 depending on the model), or a screen repair if the phone turns out to have hidden damage. Suddenly that bargain doesn't look quite so attractive. Browse our full range of refurbished iPhones and smartphones to make the comparison yourself.
We want to be honest, even if that works against our own sales. Buying privately isn't automatically a bad idea. It can be a good choice if:
But for most people, the reality is: you don't have the expertise to spot every pitfall. And that's completely understandable — it's also exactly why we exist.
Last week, a customer came into our Nijverdal store with an iPhone they'd bought privately. The battery turned out to be at just 61% and the charging port was full of dust and corrosion. Within an hour, we had the phone repaired and running like new.
Already have a secondhand phone and unsure about its condition? Feel free to come in for a free check. Our technicians will take a quick look. See all on our website, or go straight to or if you already know what you need.
Want to trade in your current phone for something more reliable? Through our trade-in page you can get an instant valuation and receive your money within 24 hours. A hassle-free way to switch to a certified refurbished device.
Still on the fence? Here's exactly what the process looks like with us:
Browse our full range of refurbished devices, from iPhones to Samsung Galaxy phones and even iPads and MacBooks.
That depends entirely on the seller and how thoroughly you can inspect the device. There's no warranty, no quality check and no legal protection like you'd have with a store purchase. Always check the IMEI number, test the battery and ask about the activation lock status before you pay.
Secondhand simply means previously used and resold. Refurbished means the device has been professionally inspected, repaired where necessary and certified for resale. At The Phone Shopper, every refurbished phone has a minimum battery capacity of 85% and comes with a 2-year warranty.
Based on what we see daily in our workshop, the most frequent issues are: a poor battery that wasn't honestly disclosed, hidden water damage, an iCloud or Google lock that hasn't been removed, and a damaged charging port. None of these problems are visible from the outside.
Go to the device's settings and check under Apple ID whether an account is signed in. When buying, the seller must sign out of iCloud on the spot. If they won't or can't do that, don't buy the phone. You can also check the IMEI number for activation status via the Apple website.
Usually only marginally: the difference is typically €20 to €50. When that gets you a 2-year warranty, a properly functioning battery and 30 days to return the device, refurbished is quickly the smarter choice — especially when you consider that a standalone battery replacement already costs €39 to €79.
Absolutely. You're always welcome at our store at Willem Alexanderstraat 11 in Nijverdal, even if you didn't buy the phone from us. Call us on 0548-549536 for a quick estimate, or simply walk in. Many repairs are completed while you wait.
Refurbished iPhones met 2 jaar garantie. Elk toestel doorloopt ons 50-punts inspectieproces en wordt geleverd met 2 jaar garantie.
Every refurbished phone is sold in one of four conditions:
The Phone Shopper
Willem Alexanderstraat 11
7442 MA Nijverdal, Overijssel
Tel: +31 548 549 536
E-mail: [email protected]
Chamber of Commerce (KvK): 75693623 | VAT: NL002427182B29
Opening hours: Mon 13:00-18:00 | Tue-Wed & Fri 10:00-18:00 | Thu 10:00-20:00 | Sat 10:00-17:00 | Sun closed
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