| Some suggest that a refurbished Bell cell phone is | | | | Bell will not activate it and you've now got an |
| like a used toothbrush. But the truth is that buying | | | | expensive paper weight. It’s very difficult to |
| a refurbished Bell Mobility cell phone can be a wise | | | | get your money returned when you buy a stolen |
| move. It all depends on where the refurbished | | | | phone. Thieves don’t offer a refund. |
| phone is purchased. | | | | Activating your refurbished Bell phone should be |
| Most people get new cell phones every couple of | | | | as easy as walking into a Bell World store and |
| years, while some upgrade even more frequently. | | | | asking the rep to change phones, as long as you |
| A Bell cell phone, if not thrown away, is often | | | | remember this point: when buying any Bell phone, |
| returned to the manufacturer for refurbishing. | | | | (new, used, or refurbished), check to make sure |
| Also consider what is done with a cell phone when | | | | that is was originally a Bell phone. |
| it is sent back within Bell Mobility's specified 15 day | | | | Some sellers of refurbished Bell phones actually |
| 15 min warranty period that comes with new cell | | | | are selling phones from Sprint™ or Verizon™ |
| phones. These cell phones cannot be sold as new | | | | in the U.S. You can run into heaps of problems |
| even if they were in the hands of a consumer | | | | activating these types of phones, as Bell only |
| for a mere couple of days. | | | | activates phones that they purchased directly |
| If you are in the market to buy a refurbished Bell | | | | from the manufacturer. |
| phone, make sure to follow the steps below and | | | | Bell keeps track of every ESN, (electronic serial |
| you will keep from getting a refurbished phone | | | | number), which are unique 11–18 digit |
| that has the quality of a used toothbrush. | | | | identifying numbers. If a site is selling a refurbished |
| When buying a refurbished phone consider the | | | | Bell phone and claims it to be part of the Bell |
| price. While you should never pay top dollar for a | | | | Mobility network, they should give you the ESN if |
| refurbished phone, you often get what you pay | | | | they’re legit. You can then call Bell Mobility |
| for. A deal too good to be true often is. | | | | customer service at 1-800-677-0123 and they can |
| Unscrupulous dealers sell beaten used cell phones | | | | look up the ESN to verify. You can then take |
| and claim them as refurbished hoping to trick | | | | your Bell cell phone into a Bell store for activation |
| consumers who haven’t read this guide. | | | | or you can do it online. If done in store there's |
| Beware – buying super cheap cell phones may | | | | typically a programming fee that costs about $15 |
| seem frugal, but your opinion will quickly change if | | | | to $25. |
| the cell phone stops working soon after you | | | | Be aware of places that refer you to a strange |
| purchase it. | | | | number or claim that the phone is already |
| This brings in another good point: be sure to get a | | | | activated. It may in fact be activated, just on |
| warranty from the seller. You get extended | | | | some poor chap’s account. |
| warranties for used cars; the same goes for | | | | There are plenty of online stores that offer |
| refurbished Bell phones. If the seller doesn't offer | | | | refurbished phones. If you are interested in |
| a warranty or refund program, forget it because | | | | purchasing a refurbished Bell Mobility cell phone |
| there are many other sellers who do. | | | | you should make sure the store selling the |
| Another reason you should watch out for | | | | refurbished phone is certified through Bell Mobility. |
| non-established sellers is that cell phones are often | | | | Following these guidelines will ensure that you get |
| stolen and then sold as second-hand phones for a | | | | a quality phone at a great discounted price, a |
| price that's too good to be true. If you purchase | | | | welcomed outcome for anyone on a budget. |
| a stolen phone and it has been reported stolen, | | | | |