India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market, and it is still rising at a rate of nearly 30 percent per year. Smartphones can now be purchased for as little as Rs.5,000 and as much as Rs.90,000. The sheer number of options can also be perplexing. As a result, making a decision becomes an exercise in which hours are spent on the internet studying different features and offers. Smartphones have infiltrated almost every aspect of our technologically enhanced lives.

With flash sales and attractive discounts, an increasing number of people are purchasing phones online. Consumers today have several options for purchasing a pre-owned smartphone, ranging from online marketplaces to physical retail stores, all without breaking the bank. Cyber fraudsters posing as genuine buyers and sellers are attempting to capitalize on the insatiable market for smartphones.

The internet is unquestionably a vast unregulated marketplace with low entry barriers, which benefits customers while also inspiring cyber fraudsters to con citizens.  The many perks of online shopping have garnered a considerable consumer scope for various sellers. One such is the market for refurbished goods, especially mobile phones.

Websites like ozmobiles.com.au sell refurbished mobile phones with a guarantee as an added advantage. Websites like OLX allows users to post free classified ads and enables consumers to choose from a wider range. Thus, the market for an ordinary consumer is extended to a broader scope of both new and refurbished phones.

Purchasing a new phone is always a fun adventure that requires some time on your part. You will not only search for the phone that best fits your needs and tastes, but you will also need to locate a store that sells that type of product. Many people nowadays purchase their electronic gadgets, as well as clothes and cosmetics, online. Call it a generational shift, but this demonstrates how important online networks have become in our everyday lives. However, before you decide to buy a smartphone from an online retailer, you must conduct some research. When you’re sorting out your preferences, consider the following safety tips before purchasing a Mobile phone online:

1)  New is not always the only way

Although mobile phones have drastically become an integral part of our daily lives and become readily available, don’t hide away the price tags they come with. A refurbished phone can be just as effective and budget-friendly. Refurbishing has a hidden aspect of sustainability as well.

With the ever-increasing electric waste piling up, reusing mobile phones is pocket-friendly for the primary and secondary user and our planet as well. Various e-commerce websites have made it easier for the sellers to find consumers and vice versa.

2)  Policies for return

Read the fine print before purchasing while purchasing online. It is important that you know the terms and conditions of the sale and the return policy. This is just an additional security measure that will ensure that if the product does not work as expected within the next month, you will get your money back and not face any losses. If they don’t seem to have one, you should be suspicious. Openness to Policies for return and exchange is also a positive reputation predictor.

3)  The Phone’s Overall Condition

If you are searching for a new or refurbished Smartphone online, you must ensure that the handset is in good working order. Moreover, if the seller only has one or two pictures of the product on his website, you should be wary of him. Instead, look for a seller who has fully displayed the phone with several photos and a rundown of the quality and condition.

Make a purchase only when you are confident in the state of the device and its price range. The Risks are less for a new phone, but this has to be especially focused on while purchasing any product for reuse.

4)  Mobile Phones and Aging

When you are purchasing a mobile phone online, you need to pay attention to the age of the phone. Instead, if you want an older handset, ensure that its output has not suffered due to its age. Although there are other items to consider before purchasing, one of the first things to consider is the year the product was launched, whether it has been used, and whether it has been updated since then. With rapid development, new technology is being invented and innovated every day while the old keeps on getting obsolete.

5)  ​​Don’t Always Believe Reviews and Ratings

According to a survey, businesses thrive on their ability to provide fake ‘good reviews and ratings’ to potential buyers. In most cases, once a business lists a product, the seller himself as an individual goes and rates and reviews the product. Some of them even ask their family and friends to rate and review their product. Going a step ahead These reviews are also influenced by some brands trying to hide negative reviews or show paid reviews.

Apart from these, make sure you get the invoice or e-invoice for the purchase you have made; you must know the mobile phone details, never make a purchase based on the visible product image, and take the time to read about the product carefully and grasp it all.

You can shop online conveniently, find the best deals and have your packages delivered right at your door without having to leave your home comfort. Buying online is very easy, but the primary considerations that should be taken into account are privacy and protection. Do not get caught in supplying deceptive fraudsters with your precious personal information. Be mindful of websites that dress as online shops to collect personal data from you.

Finally, use common sense and trust your intuition. If an offer seems to be too good to be true, it most likely is. And, if anything seems odd, keep in mind that you are not required to make the purchase. Doing thorough research is an excellent key to be sage while making online purchases. Be ALERT and BE SMART!