The Apple iPhone Blog

With today’s rising prices, it is only natural to be more careful with every dollar spent. This is especially true for purchases that aren’t a priority, like accessories for your new iPhone. Now that you have an iPhone and must have already spent hundreds for it, it is wise to spend less on iPhone’s accessories.

eBay is an online auction site that is open for anyone who has access to the World Wide Web and one of the cheapest places to find and buy iPhone accessories. Here are some tips to remember when buying iPhone accessories on eBay.

Know The Market Price
Before you bid on eBay auctions, first check the market prices of the accessory that you are planning to buy. It would be pointless to buy at an auction if the price you are going to pay is higher than the cost of just purchasing the accessory at your local store.

Check Seller’s Background
Always check the background of the seller before making a deal. There are numerous unscrupulous individuals on the Internet who will not think twice of ripping you off. Look at the seller’s ratings and the feedback given by previous customers. If there are many negative feedbacks left about the seller, skip to the next.

Check For Authenticity
When buying an iPhone charger, USB adapter, cables, docks and other accessories that will affect the mobile phone’s performance, always check if they are indeed authentic or genuine Apple iPhone gadgets. Some sellers don’t specify if what they are selling is original, they could be reproductions.

Be sure to remember and follow the tips above for safe and hassle free shopping of iPhone accessories on eBay.

In a previous post, we gave you some guides on purchasing an iPhone, in this post we will give you important tips on how to buy a used iPhone.

Apple Inc’s newly launched iPhone is one of the hottest commodities on the mobile phone market today. Even months before the versatile mobile phone was launched, it had created so much buzz. However, only a few can afford a brand new iPhone because they are very expensive.

If you really want this new gadget but don’t have the money to buy a new one, you could settle for a used iPhone. There are quite a number of used iPhones available on auction sites on the Internet. But before you spend a cent for a used iPhone , you have the read the guide on buying a used iPhone below.

Buy from the seller you know

It is always best to buy used items, particularly an Apple iPhone, from the people you know and trust. If you buy from your close friends and family, at least you can ask them for discounts and they will be more than willing to entertain your questions about the condition of the phone. If you are buying from an auction site, however, it is best to check the seller’s ratings and the feedback from his or her previous customers.

Don’t be afraid to inquire

The first thing you need to ask the seller is his or her reason for selling the phone. Ask if the phone is still under warranty. You should also know whether the phone has scratches or has been dropped. If you are buying from an auction site, you should be more careful because you don’t have the phone physically for inspection. Thus, you need to really ask the seller for information about the phone.

Ask for a return policy

You need to have a return policy arrangement with the seller because you won’t be able to check if the phone works if you are just dealing through the Internet or if your friend just showed it to you for just a few minutes.

Check for damages

When you have the phone, be sure to check for water damage. You should also check for dents, scratches and other damages. You don’t want to pay for something that is damaged, unless the seller specifically told you the truth and you accepted it.

Determine arrangement with the service provider

Since Apple’s iPhone is locked to AT&T until 2008, you need to make prior arrangements with the exclusive service provider, especially if you have a plan from other phone companies. You may also want to discuss this issue with the seller. Furthermore, check if you have options to unlock the SIM.

Purchasing an iPhone can be one of the most important investment decisions you will ever make, and to help you make an informed decision and assist you in deliberating pros and cons, here are 3 simple iPhone Buying Guides, to ensure you do not go wrong with your iPhone purchase.

iPhone Buying Guide 1 - Where to shop
With the iPhone popularity at its peak, many people find it hard to buy an iPhone. Some say they have to line up at Apple stores and wait too long for their turn. If you can’t beat the heat and stress of lining up just to get buy an iPhone, you can dash to the nearest AT&T/Cingular store. This could be a good chance for you since not so many people are aware that this particular store will be selling iPhone units too.

If you think that there is no way for you to get through the long line in Apple store or in AT&T store or if you are just too lazy to get out and stand in the crowd just to get the coolest thing in town, you can still settle for online shopping and enjoy the privileges that your credit card is giving you.

However, considering convenience and all, it is still practical to buy your iPhone at Apple stores because the staff can readily give you an alternative store if ever their stocks run at out. Moreover, Apple stores provide detailed workshops that will teach you how to make the most out of your iPhone.

iPhone Buying Guide 2 - Check Your Budget
When buying an iPhone, try not to overspend. Or if you really don’t have the budget to buy such a device, then postponing it for a while won’t hurt that much, right? So before buying an iPhone, look at your budget first and stick to it. If you think you can squeeze in an extra $499 for a 4GB iPhone, dash to the nearest Apple store immediately. If not, stay cool, keep calm, and hold on to your resources. You may never know it might be worth waiting for the right time.

iPhone Buying Guide 3 - Know What You’re Getting
Some critics say that the iPhone might have been over hyped and buying without knowing everything about this gadget might only send you tons of disappointments. So before making a mad dash out there, try to research for more information.

Good luck with your iPhone purchase.