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Everything You Should Know Before You Buy Faulty Electronics

You may have a favourite broken phone that you are hoping you can repair, or perhaps you are a hobbyist at heart and love to pass the time restoring broken electronics. You will be happy to know that eBay's user-friendly website has an enormous selection of faulty phones for you to choose from and here is what you need to know before you make your purchase.

What types of faulty devices are available for purchase?

You can choose from myriad device types, including Android phones, iPhones, iPads, iPods, Blackberries, and Xbox 360 systems. You might even find some laptops, tablets, and televisions among the offerings. Electronics that are sold as faulty are often older models that have either stopped working or are no longer supported by the manufacturer. Newer items might have missing or non-functioning parts or might not power on. Faulty items can be an excellent source of much-needed spare parts for your favourite phone or gaming system, or they can simply provide you with countless hours of enjoyment.

What type of damage can faulty devices have?

Faulty devices can have one or more flaws. The following list summarises the most common types of damage you can expect to see:

  • Power source - The devices may be missing a power source or have one that is non-functional. Sometimes a device will not power on, even if it's plugged in.
  • Battery - The battery may be either missing, or it may no longer hold a charge.
  • Parts and accessories - Those that are most often missing include controllers, headsets, and SIM card trays.
  • Screen - The screens may have scratches, dents, or cracks. They may show opacity, or the touch screen may have become non-functional.
  • Locked device - A phone can have a carrier lock or, in the case of iPhones, an account lock. If a lock cannot be removed, the device can still be used for parts.
Are any of the faulty devices likely to be functional?

Devices are sometimes functional or can be easily restored to working order by making a minor change. Such items might only need a replacement charger, a compatible headset, or a good cleaning. You should read the listing carefully to determine if the device and its parts meet your specifications. A phone or tablet might be non-functional due to the presence of a carrier lock or an activation lock, both of which can sometimes be removed by contacting the existing carrier or the manufacturer. You should consider this if purchasing a locked phone that you hope to use, since most carriers will not provide the phone unlock key if the previous owner left an outstanding balance on the original contract. The item listing should specify whether a device is working and should also tell you if the phone is locked.