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If you need a way to get the phone you've always wanted and save some money while you're at it, purchasing used or refurbished cell phones is definitely the way to go. As an added bonus, a good percentage of these phones are unlocked, meaning they can be activated on one of many networks. However, you'll likely run in to or will be concerned about some issues, regardless of whether you get an unlocked cell phone or not. Keep in mind that a number of mobile service providers make a good deal of money on the phones that they sell, so they won't be terribly excited when you show up at the store with a phone of your own that you want to activate on their network. That is not to say that they'll turn you away, of course, but they'll also recognize that they're leaving some money on the table and know that they won't be able to lock you in to a contract. So long as you're aware of these facts, you should have no problem getting your phone activated.

It isn't especially hard to get a used cell phone activated on your service provider's network, you just need to know what to do as they'll likely try to talk you in to buying one of their new phones instead. A number of phones use what is called a SIM card as the foundation of the network connection. If you operate on a network that uses SIM cards (typically found behind the battery), activating your new phone is as simple as taking the SIM card out of your old phone and putting it in your new one. This transition should be seamless, unless your new phone requires additional services to work properly or enable all the extra bells and whistles (such as web browsing or email on used Blackberry cell phones).

If you use a network that does not used SIM cards, the process is a bit more involved and not quite as simple, but certainly worth it given how much you can save by purchasing a used phone. Start by calling your carrier's customer service line and explain to them that you want to switch your current service to a different phone. They will know what you mean and should be able to walk you through the process pretty easily. However, be aware of a couple things: First, they'll likely try to talk you in to buying one of their phones and agreeing to a new contract. You do not have to do this. If they push too much, hang up the phone and take your unlocked cell phone to a different carrier that has better customer service. If you are locked in to a contract, make the case that by refusing to activate your phone they are violating the contract and therefore you should either be freed from the contract at no cost or they should activate the phone. Either way, know your "rights." Second, they may require you to give them some numbers that are found under the battery of both your old phone and new phone. If you plan to make the call on the phone you are replacing, make sure that you write these numbers down before placing the call.

About the Author:
David Kraft is a freelance author who writes about a number of topics. For more information about refurbished cell phones, please visit his site with used cell phones for sale.