A listing shows a phone DZD 15,000 below comparable offers. The seller replies quickly, sends a photo of the box and asks for a deposit to “hold the stock”. The scenario is familiar, and that is exactly when to slow down.
A serious shop does not need a luxurious window. It must be able to prove who it is, what it sells and what happens after payment. Here are five checks to run before the money leaves your hand, whether you are in Algiers, Oran, Constantine or behind a screen.
1. A real address
Ask for the full address and the commercial register number. Find the shop on a map, confirm that a physical location exists and call the advertised number. A Facebook page can help, but it is not a substitute for an address.
If the seller refuses to give a name or a register number, do not send a deposit. A mobile number and an Instagram account do not identify a company. For a remote purchase, also ask for the responsible person’s name and the return address.
2. A sealed product with a matching IMEI
The box should be closed, with no sign of tape being reapplied. The IMEI printed on the box must match the phone. Dial *#06# on the device or read the number in the settings.
A mismatch can point to a stolen phone, a refurbished unit or a replacement box. Check the version and configuration too: 128 GB or 256 GB, single or dual SIM, imported or officially distributed. These details change the value and sometimes network compatibility. Our IMEI guide explains the process.
3. A complete invoice
An invoice is not a piece of paper with an amount on it. It should show the seller’s name and address, commercial register, date, exact phone model, IMEI, price and warranty duration.
Refuse the “no invoice, but you know me” arrangement. Without a document, you have no proof of purchase for a warranty claim, a resale or a complaint. If the seller offers a simplified invoice, ask for the IMEI and warranty period to be included anyway.
4. A warranty certificate filled in on the spot
A new product carries a legal warranty of at least six months. A used product sold commercially has a three-month floor. These rules come from Decree 13-327, and the certificate must be handed over with the product.
Do not leave with a blank certificate and promise to fill it later. The seller must write the date, serial number, duration and their details. Ask what is excluded: drops, water, repairs by a third party. Exclusions should be written before the purchase, not discovered at the service desk. Read our guide to the phone warranty in Algeria for the remedies.
5. Test, then pay
Switch the phone on before paying. Test the screen, speakers, microphone, Wi-Fi, SIM, camera and charging. Plug in the charger and check that charging starts; ask whether the supplied charger matches the model.
Pay after the test and ask for a receipt. Ask for the total price, including accessories and warranty, before paying. For cash on delivery, open the parcel in front of the courier and refuse it if the product does not match. An instant transfer to a personal account without an invoice makes a refund much harder.
Apple iPhone 13
4GB RAM · 128GB · 6.1 · Super Retina XDR OLED
Signals that should stop you
- The price is far below the market and the seller refuses to explain why.
- A deposit is required before any verification.
- There is no address, register number or invoice.
- The box is open or the IMEI does not match.
- The warranty is only verbal.
- The seller pushes you to pay quickly because “stock is running out”.
One signal does not prove fraud. Several together justify walking away. A good deal can wait an hour; a deposit sent to a stranger does not come back as easily.
What Mobilidz does and does not do
Mobilidz lists dozens of shops and compares their offers. A listing helps you spot a price and call the seller. It is not a quality label and does not replace your checks.
The platform does not hold the stock, collect the payment or sign the warranty. If an offer is wrong, report it: that helps correct the catalogue, not recover your money. For payment and after-sales service, the seller remains your contact.
The one-minute checklist
- Address and commercial register verified.
- Sealed box and matching IMEI.
- Complete invoice with IMEI and price.
- Warranty certificate filled in and signed.
- Phone tested before payment.
- Return and warranty conditions in writing.
Compare offers on Mobilidz, then ask two or three shops for the same information. A DZD 5,000 difference deserves a question; a DZD 30,000 difference deserves a stricter check.
