The return window starts the moment your device is delivered — not when you first notice something wrong two weeks later. Go through this checklist within the first 48 hours. If you find any issue, contact the vendor immediately while you're still protected.
⏱️ You have 30 days (usually)Back Market, Apple Certified, and most reputable vendors give you 30 days to return. Gazelle gives only 30 days too but check your specific vendor. Don't unbox the device and set it aside — test it the same day.
📦 Step 1 — Before You Even Power On
Check the box and packagingWas the box opened, re-sealed, or damaged in transit? Document any damage with photos before proceeding.
Confirm all accessories are includedCheck the listing for what should be in the box (cable, SIM tool, etc.). Missing accessories need to be flagged now.
Check for liquid contact indicators (iPhones)On iPhone, open the SIM tray — a white or silver square indicator means no water damage. If it's red or pink, contact the vendor immediately.
Inspect the physical condition against the listingDoes the cosmetic condition match the described grade? Grade A/Excellent should have no visible scratches. Grade B/Good may have minor marks.
🔋 Step 2 — Battery Health (Do This First)
iPhone: Settings → Battery → Battery Health & ChargingShould show 85%+ for Grade A. Under 80% on a premium listing is grounds for a return.
Android (Samsung/Pixel): Use *#*#4636#*#* dial codeGo to "Battery Information". You can also use free apps like AccuBattery or CPU-Z to check battery health and cycle count.
MacBook: Apple menu → About → System Report → PowerCheck "Cycle Count" and "Condition". Condition should show "Normal". Under 500 cycles is ideal for a refurb Mac.
📱 Step 3 — Screen and Display
Check for dead pixelsOpen a solid white image and a solid black image in full screen. Dead pixels show up as black dots on white; stuck pixels as bright dots on black.
Check for screen burn or ghostingOn OLED screens (most iPhones from X onwards), display a solid grey screen. Faint outlines of past content indicate burn-in.
Test touch responsiveness across the whole screenTap, swipe, and pinch-zoom in every corner, especially edges. Corner dead zones indicate a damaged digitizer.
Check brightness uniformityAt max brightness, look for uneven "blotches" or darker edges that indicate backlight issues (more common on LCD screens).
🔊 Step 4 — Cameras, Speakers & Microphone
Test all camerasFront and rear. Check focus, flash, and video recording. On multi-lens phones, switch between telephoto, ultrawide, and main.
Test speakers (all of them)Play audio from YouTube or Spotify. On iPhones, the earpiece (top speaker) and main speaker are separate — test both by playing a call and then music.
Test the microphoneRecord a voice memo or voice message and play it back. Muffled, crackling, or absent audio indicates a faulty mic.
🔒 Step 5 — Biometrics, Connectivity & Ports
Set up Face ID or fingerprint sensorThese are the most commonly replaced parts in refurb iPhones. If Face ID or Touch ID fails to set up or works intermittently, that's a hardware problem.
Test Wi-Fi and BluetoothConnect to your network and a Bluetooth device. Check that signal strength is consistent across the room, not just when the router is nearby.
Insert your SIM and test cellular connectionMake a test call, check LTE/5G indicator, and confirm the IMEI is not blacklisted (Settings → General → About on iPhone, or check on IMEI.info).
Test all portsPlug in the charging cable — does it connect snugly and charge? Test any headphone jack, USB-C, or SD card slot present on the device.
Check all physical buttonsVolume up, volume down, power/side button, mute switch (iPhone). All should click cleanly without sticking or feeling loose.
🍎 Step 6 — iPhone Specific: Genuine Parts Check
Settings → General → About: check for "Unknown Part" warningsiOS 15.2+ reports if the screen, battery, or camera is non-genuine. These aren't necessarily bad — third-party OEM parts can work fine — but you should know.
Confirm iCloud Activation Lock is offGo through initial setup and confirm the device activates with your Apple ID — not someone else's. A stuck activation screen means the previous owner didn't sign out.
🚩 Red flags: contact the vendor immediately if you see theseBattery health below 80% on a Grade A listing · Dead pixels or screen burn · Face ID / Touch ID won't set up · "Unknown Part" warnings on premium listing · Liquid contact indicator is red · iCloud Activation Lock from previous owner · Device won't connect to cellular even with valid SIM
✅ Found an issue? Act fastEmail or message the vendor today. Include photos and video. Reference your order number and the specific issue. Do this even if you're unsure whether it's covered — getting the issue on record before the return window closes protects you.