Buying a Used TracFone ( Tracphone ) From Ebay

I often get asked if I think that a particular TracFone selling on ebay is a good deal or not, so I decided to put this page together to help people who are considering a used TracFone.

The biggest drawback of buying a used TracFone is, well, that it is used!  Some phones have been used more gently than others, but most used TracFones are going to have a few scratches and nicks.  Depending on how many times it has been dropped, it might also have some connections starting to come loose on the inside.  That's why used TracFones are cheaper!

With that in mind, it's important that you buy a used TracFone from a trusted source who will offer to give your money back if the phone is a dud.  Some ebay sellers will do this, and others won't, so you'll need to make sure before you bid. 

Another thing to watch out for is that many items on ebay get bid up during the last few minutes of the auction.  So the TracFones that look like great deals while you are browsing the listings usually end up selling for quite a bit more money in the end.

Also, since TracFone uses different cellular providers in different parts of the country, you may have trouble activating an ebay TracFone for use in your area.  If that happens, you'll have to send it in to TracFone and have them reprogram it, which is a hassle.

OK, now that I've told you all of the bad news, let me tell you some good news!  You can avoid all of the headaches above by buying a reconditioned TracFone from the TracFone online store.

Buying a reconditioned TracFone from the TracFone online store has the following advantages:

So why doesn't everyone buy reconditioned TracFones instead of new TracFones?  Primarily because reconditioned TracFones are still used and still have a greater chance of having problems than new phones.  It's hard to know how much greater that chance is, but if you buy a reconditioned TracFone, you will definitely want to test it out thoroughly during the 90-day warranty period.

Another reason for buying a new TracFone is that the reconditioned phones are usually the older models.  So if you're wanting the latest and newest phones with the most features, you're probably going to have to buy new instead of reconditioned. 

In the end, the decision to buy new or used or reconditioned just comes down to how much risk you are willing take.  Personally, I rather pay a little more for a new phone just to have a greater chance of avoiding the headache and hassle of dealing with a broken phone.

If you really want or need to get the best price possible on a TracFone, then the reconditioned phones are a great way to save some cash while taking on a bit more risk.

With ebay TracFones, you definitely take the most risk, and it's hard to say how much money you will actually save, because last-minute bidding often drives the prices up.

Anyway, that's my opinion on the new vs. used vs. reconditioned debate.  I hope this page helps you find the best deal for your situation!

If you are ready to buy a new or reconditioned TracFone now, you can click here to see the current deals at the TracFone online store.