Mobile phone resellers might wonder why they should take the time to run a device test on a used phone. Many resellers can check many of the phone’s operations on their own without a device test, so it can be tempting not to bother with one, or to only run them on phones in bulk.The truth is, however, that a device test can be the difference between a satisfied buyer and a bad sale. Every phone should get the benefit of a device test, especially because there are things a reseller cannot find without one.
Stolen mobile phones are common resales, especially in markets where the buyer doesn’t have the time or tools to check the phone. Even some phones resold legitimately were stolen and just not flagged by their previous owners. When an owner does flag their phone as stolen, the phone’s service provider often locks the phone. This prevents it from being used at all by invalidating the IMEI or ESN number that identifies the phone on the network. Since all phones have a unique IMEI or ESN, a phone with this code flagged will never be usable. Without a device test, a reseller has to contact each provider one by one to see if it is stolen; a good device test will check the number against all providers.
The IMEI or ECN might be locked for another reason - the previous owner might owe money to the provider or have some other flag that needs to be resolved before the phone can be free for resale. Since this is more specific than a phone being flagged as stolen, it is harder to find without a device test. Many phones can only operate on the network of the provider that sold it, so if a provider has flagged a phone that is locked to them, it will not be usable and can’t be changed to another provider. Device test software can find these flags before they become a problem.
Just because a phone is in working order when acquired by a reseller doesn’t mean it will stay that way. Sometimes a mobile phone’s deterioration is more slow and subtle than a cracked screen or faulty battery will let on. Water damage, for example, may deteriorate a phone so slowly that it doesn’t get noticed by a reseller. A device test will analyze all parts of the hardware and software and test the connections of the electronics inside the phone to make sure everything's running smoothly.
A device test often comes with some kind of report or certification that the phone passed inspection. This gives potential buyers a visual report of the phone’s condition to examine and evaluate in their decision to buy the phone. This seal of the device test’s approval gives buyers confidence in the integrity of the phone both inside and out, and guarantees that the seller is selling a quality product that works to a certain standard.
Nothing is better for a reseller of mobile phones than to have a good reputation for selling quality previously-owned phones. This is why smart resellers invest in device test software and guarantee that every phone they sell is ready for its next owner to use right away. Selling previously owned phones is a market that can be profitable, but is wrought with scams and bad merchandise. Establishing a good reputation is a significant way to ensure a lot of business, because customers know they can count on honesty.In the market of reselling mobile phones, trust is essential. Trust in a seller is established when customers can trust a buyer’s product. Device tests reassure potential buyers that a product can be trusted. They are the fastest, easiest route to establishing one’s own integrity as a reseller, by proving that one’s phones are worthy of resale.
