The PlayStation 3 is one of the hottest-selling products in the used-console market. This Techspirited article lists some of the things to look for before buying a used PS3.
According to sales figures released by Sony, by the end of 2013, more than 80 million PS3s were sold worldwide.
Sony PlayStation, once again, staked claim to the title of the ultimate gaming console, with the release of their latest variant, the PS4, in November 2013. The PlayStation 4 has since gone on to create waves in the gaming world, selling more than 4.2 million units by the end of the year. The ultramodern console, however, will set you back by a hand and a leg. Not all is lost though, if you haven’t inherited your family’s fortune or don’t want to overspend on a gaming console. The PS4, as technologically advanced as it may be, is not exactly light years ahead of its predecessor, the PlayStation 3. In fact, with the release of the next-gen gaming console, the price of the extremely popular PS3 has plummeted. This has brought about a wave of happiness amongst wannabe gamers the world over, who can finally get a PlayStation, and get transported to an entirely different gaming dimension.
The best bargains though, await those who opt for a used PlayStation 3. With the current market situation, you can get away with an absolute steal on a used or refurbished PS3. So, if you too are an avid game enthusiast and the idea of picking up a used PS3 sounds alluring to you, then look no further. This Techspirited article provides with some very handy tips for buying a used PS3.
Absolutely! Provided, of course, you keep a few basic things in mind.
Buy from a trusted source
As basic as this may seem, this is a factor that most people often tend to overlook. There are plenty of fraudsters out there, but then again, there are plenty of great bargains that go a-begging as well. Recently, there was an instance of a guy from Nottingham, U.K., who got fooled into buying a photo of the Xbox One for £450 (740 USD). To make sure that you don’t get conned too, always remember to read (and re-read) the description and other details of the advert carefully. Some of the best sites to buy a used PS3 are eBay, Amazon, OLX, etc. Craigslist too has some real good deals, but it is a lot harder to verify the authenticity of the source on this site.
If you intend to pick up the console in person, stick with someone you come across through a reference. Also, insist on the original bill receipt and warranty of the machine.
Test the Console
When buying a used PS3 in person, always test it and make sure it is functioning fine. Start the console, and try a game on it. Ensure that the controller responds well, and all the button clicks are detected. Also, test the thumbsticks to see if they are working fine, as these tend to wear out faster than the other buttons. Another thing to look out for is the vibration feedback of the controller. The vibration motors often die out; while this might not be a deal breaker, it certainly is a point you can use while bargaining. Check the peripherals and connecting wires of the console, and ensure that nothing comes out loose.
While making a purchase online, ask as many questions as you need, to verify the condition of the console. Check for the seller’s return policy, and whether the console is covered under warranty.
Check the model
Since it first released, various models of the PS3 have hit the market. The original model was big and bulky, and was backward compatible with PS2 games. Its on board storage options too were limited (20/60 GB). The successive models brought in better changes, and the console itself shed a lot of weight. It would be a good idea to opt for the Slim version of the PS3 as it offers a lot more storage space, a better controller, and supports more games. The new version also supports the PlayStation Move controller, which often comes bundled with it. The PS3 Slim is easy to identify from the older model as it sports a much thinner waistline. Apart from this, you can also look at the back of the console for its serial number. You can refer to the table below to know the model of the PS3.
Code | Model | Storage (in GB) |
CECHA | Fat | 60 |
CECHB | Fat | 20 |
CECHC | Fat | 60 |
CECHE | Fat | 80 |
CECHG | Fat | 40 |
CECHH | Fat | 40 |
CECHJ | Fat | 40 |
CECHK | Fat | 80 |
CECHL | Fat | 80 |
CECHM | Fat | 80 |
CECHP | Fat | 160 |
CECHQ | Fat | 160 |
CECH-20 | Slim | 120/250 |
CECH-21 | Slim | 120/250 |
CECH-25 | Slim | 160/320 |
CECH-30 | Slim | 160/320 |
CECH-40 | Super Slim | 12/250/500 |
CECH-42 | Super Slim | 12/250/500 |
Look for other freebies
Once you’ve verified and ensured that the console is in good working condition, you could turn your attention to the freebies on offer. The PlayStation 3 ships with one controller. Most gamers buy an additional controller to play multiplayer games. When bargaining for your console, look to get an additional controller thrown in for the same price. The PlayStation Move controller is also a good addition to the PS3, and it uses motion sensing to make game play even more interesting. Most recent PlayStation 3s were shipped with this controller bundled along. Apart from these, game CDs too can make the deal sweeter for you.
If you have a choice between a used and refurbished PS3, we would suggest you go in for the latter. This is because, more often than not, refurbished consoles come with a warranty. Make sure though, that it is refurbished by Sony, or some other reputed dealer, and not by the seller himself. Refurbished consoles also give you the as-good-as-new feel as they usually are kept in a good condition.
A discerning eye, the right source, and a little bit of luck can get you a fantastic deal on what is one of the most popular gaming consoles of all time. So, grab one now, and let the games begin! Cheers.