Short answer
About 1 in 4 returns (23.8%) were a change of mind, not a fault. The most common real complaint was the screen or touch (11.3%), then cosmetic condition (9%) and "not what I expected" (8.3%). Carrier problems were 6.3% and the battery only 4.2%.
From every phone sent back to us from October 2025 to September 2026, by the reason the buyer gave.
1 in 4returns weren't a fault at all. People just changed their mind.
What people sent back, and why
Tap a regret to see how to avoid it.
"I changed my mind"23.8%
Found a better deal, kept the old phone, or just didn't want it.
Avoid it: Buy where returning is easy. We give 30 days from delivery, no questions asked, no restocking fee.
See our returns →A screen or touch problem11.3%
Dead spots, flicker, burn-in, or a screen that just feels off.
Avoid it: Check Parts and Service History (shown below) and drag a finger over the whole screen on day one. Our Premium and Excellent phones have original screens.
How to spot a replaced screen →It looked worse than expected9%
Scratches or wear the buyer didn't expect.
Avoid it: Know what the grade means before you buy. If looks matter, choose Excellent or Premium.
Grades explained →"Not what I expected"8.3%
Wrong size, colour, storage or features.
Avoid it: Compare models side by side first: screen size, battery and storage.
iPhone 13 vs 14 vs 15 →A delivery problem8.1%
Arrived late, arrived damaged, or went back to the sender.
Avoid it: Buy from a US seller with tracked shipping and open it the day it arrives. We ship the same day on orders before 2pm Pacific.
Shop phones →It didn't work with their carrier6.3%
Locked, or wouldn't connect on Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile.
Avoid it: Buy unlocked and check eSIM. Every phone we sell is unlocked.
Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile? →The battery4.2%
Drains fast or doesn't hold a charge.
Avoid it: Ask for the exact battery percentage. Ours is on every listing, and Premium phones are 90% or more.
Shop Premium →Won't turn on or keeps restarting4%
Avoid it: Use it properly in week one while returns are easy. After 30 days, our 12-month warranty covers it.
Our warranty →Speaker or microphone3.3%
Avoid it: Make a call and record a voice memo on day one.
What to check when it arrives →Also: overheating 2%, camera 1.6%, Face ID or Touch ID 0.8%. 8.7% said "defective" without saying what.
Which regret are you most at risk of?
Do scratches bother you?
How long does it need to last on a charge?
Is it your main phone?
- Want it to last all day: Premium (90%+ battery).
- Want it to look new: Excellent or Premium.
- A spare or a kid's phone: Good or Fair saves the most.
Two screens to check before you keep it
These catch the screen and battery regrets.
Battery Health
Maximum Capacity is the battery's health. Premium phones are 90% or more.
Parts and Service History
"Unknown Part" means it isn't a genuine Apple part. If nothing was ever replaced, this section may not show at all.
Your day-one checklist
Common questions
What do people regret most about buying a used phone?
Changing their mind: 23.8% of the phones sent back to us were returned without a fault. The most common real complaint was the screen or touch (11.3%).
Is the battery a common reason to return a refurbished phone?
Less than people think: 4.2% of returns. Ask for the exact battery percentage before you buy.
How do I avoid buying the wrong used phone?
Buy unlocked from a seller with an easy return window, know what the cosmetic grade means, compare models first, and check battery health and Parts and Service History on day one.
How we counted: every return we received from October 2025 to September 2026, one record per return, grouped by the reason the buyer gave. Returns without a reason are left out. Updated monthly.