How to Buy Samsung Returns

If you’re looking to purchase and resell mobile phones, Samsung returns are a top choice! When it comes to the secondary mobile market, there is a large amount of Samsung inventory available and Samsung mobile devices are in high demand from secondary end-users. Trading in phones for newer models is a common practice. Since plenty of people wait to upgrade until they find a good deal, this offers mobile buyers a fantastic opportunity! According to Gartner, global smartphones sales grew 26% in the first quarter of 2021. And as more people upgrade, more customers make returns.

Data shows that the number of people who traded up to a Galaxy S10 in 2019 created a record-breaking surplus of S8 and S9 models. Naturally, people will be upgrading from Samsung’s flagship phone of 2020, the Galaxy S20, to 2021’s release, the Galaxy S21. There’s even the nostalgic Galaxy Z Flip 3 available—which as the name implies, is Samsung’s version of a folding phone. So, if you’re thinking about getting into the Samsung mobile resale business or are looking for a steady stream of inventory, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this blog, we cover: 

• The value of Samsung returns 
• Global chip shortages 
• Where to buy used phones 
• Tips for buying Samsung returns 
• How to flip phones

What’s makes Samsung returns so valuable? 

Used phones, among Samsung returns, are turning into a hot commodity as supply chain constraints affect even the smartphone industry. The global chip shortage brought on by Covid lockdowns, factory closures, and supply constraints are impacting the number of available semiconductors. These are essential for manufacturers of cars, video game consoles, and also smartphones.

Consumers will be looking for upgrades at the price they’re used to—not inflated ones due to increasing supply competition. That’s where resellers like you can offer the latest Samsung returns that the average consumer may not have had access to.

Where To Buy Used Phones

Purchase Samsung returns directly from the source

With the high volume of Samsung returns and trade-ins, many wireless networks, retailers, and trade-in companies are using B2B sales channels – like the one B-Stock provides – to sell bulk quantities of Samsung devices directly to qualified business buyers. By purchasing directly from the retailer, you can assume that 1) there is no liquidator involvement 2) there are no price markups and 3) that the retailer wants to move the inventory as quickly as possible.

B-Stock currently operates the world’s largest network of online marketplaces for customer-returned, excess, or previously traded-in wireless inventory. These marketplaces provide buyers access to returned Samsung devices directly from top wireless retailers and trade-in companies; you are buying directly from them! 

Check eBay 

Unlocked cell phones are available on marketplace sites like eBay. Smaller lots, wholesale bulk lots, and individually used phones can be found here. If you’re looking to test the waters first to see how you do selling a few phones at a time, this can be a good starting point. However, you should ensure they are coming from a reliable seller by first checking their ratings.

Shop cell phones on B-Stock Supply

On B-Stock Supply, which is like eBay but for business-to-business transactions, you can find plenty of used phones! Devices in auctions with the Phonecheck Certified Badge are guaranteed to be in 100% working condition. In addition, each auction provides our buyers with the MSRP value of the lot, number of units, product condition, location zip code, and shipping arrangement.

You can purchase case packs, which is the standard shipping practice used for mobile phones, on B-Stock Supply. A case pack is a box with individual slots for wrapped mobile phones. These boxes usually range in size from 30 to 50-unit case packs.  

3 Tips To Help You Buy Samsung Returns

1. Ensure constant supply

It’s important to have enough Samsung inventory to satisfy the needs of your customers. Make sure the marketplaces you are sourcing from have a continuous supply of Samsung returns you need to keep your customers happy. Check out the following marketplaces that offer bulk quantities of Samsung devices across all models (even the newest iterations) and conditions (Grade A to salvage). 

• Select Mobile Auctions 
• Mobile Carrier Liquidations  
• ALLTECH Wholesale 
• Superior Wireless Auctions
• B-Stock Supply
• Wireless Network Marketplace
• GameStop Wholesale  
• Early Upgrade Auctions

2. Understand condition codes

You can’t purchase Samsung returns without first understanding mobile condition codes. There is a universal grading scale criteria for carriers and manufacturers to follow when selling their used inventory.

Grade A

• Like new condition
• Negligible scratches and blemishes.
• Tested and fully functional with clean ESN and no user locks (for example FMIP / iCloud locked).

Grade B

• Light wear and tear
• May have one or several light scratches that do not catch a fingernail or tool. No cracks present on the device or display.
• Tested and fully functional with clean ESN and no user locks (not FMIP / iCloud locked).

Grade C

• More aggressive wear and tear
• May have cracks on certain surface areas such as camera lens, rear lens but not on display cover lens (Glass panel and Digitizer).
• Tested and fully functional with clean ESN and no user locks (for example FMIP / iCloud locked).

Grade D

• Heavy cosmetic damage with cover lens cracks
• Will have excessive damage on multiple surface areas and cracks on the display cover lens but not on the LCD. In addition, there may be missing parts, liquid damage and screen burn present.
• Units are tested but may not be fully functional. Clean ESN but units may be user locked (for example FMIP / iCloud locked).

Grade E

• Heavy cosmetic damage with LCD damage
• Will have excessive damage on multiple surface areas including the display internal structure. Damage may range from but not limited to liquid damage, missing parts, screen burn etc.
• Units are tested but may not be fully functional. Clean ESN but units may be user locked (for example FMIP / iCloud locked).

For an even further breakdown on condition codes, check out ​Buying Used Phones? Meet the New Mobile Grades.

3. Purchase the right amount

Buying in bulk is the best way to ensure bigger margins. That said, make sure you are purchasing the right quantity of Samsung phones for your needs. It’s typical that larger lots of devices have a lower cost-per-item but you don’t want to purchase more than you can sell. 

How to Flip Phones

Flipping, or reselling, phones is one of the easier products to jump into when you consider how long you’ve owned a phone and the research you’ve done on your own purchases. The first step is purchasing used phones using one of the sources we’ve given you above. Let’s cover some more pointers below: 

Clean it up, wipe it down

In some cases, used phones may not be data wiped. When flipping phones, you want to ensure all personal data is gone. You should also wipe it down, removing any fingerprints or scuffs on the phone or screen.

Consider making repairs

Whether you’re a cell phone specialist or know a mobile repair guy, consider if it may be worth it to bid and buy cell phones in lower grades (and for a lower price) to fix up prior to reselling. That way, you save while sourcing cell phone inventory and then increase the selling price.

Sign up as a seller on common marketplaces 

Online marketplaces including Amazon, eBay, Craigslist all make great platforms to sell your Samsung returns. Be sure to take a close look at what your competition is selling and how much buyer demand exists. Learn all the ins and outs of selling on eBay.

Sell smart

Your own online store in the form of a customized eCommerce platform can help you stand out from the crowd; keep in mind you’ll need to use marketing strategies to drive buyer traffic to your site. You should also brush up on your SEO knowledge in order to grow the number of visitors to your site by ranking higher in organic searches. When you create listings using search-friendly terms, you reach more interested buyers typing the same query into Google.

Finally, there is a huge demand in emerging countries for used smartphones. If you sell overseas it’s best to offer large quantities (versus single units) to save time and money on shipping costs. For more exporting know-how, be sure to catch up on Export Education: An Introduction. 

Whether this is a side business or a full-time job, buying and selling Samsung returns can prove very profitable. To check out all Samsung models and conditions available, visit our Samsung mobile marketplaces today!