Guide · Buying used tech
Buying used tech in Nairobi: the guide
How to buy pre-owned laptops, monitors, PC parts, consoles and cameras at auction in Kenya without getting a dud: what to look at, what to ask and how bidding protects you.
Second-hand tech can save you a lot, but only if you know what to check. These guides cover the items young techies in Nairobi buy most, and how the auction protects you while you do.
Before you bid on anything
- Read the whole description and look at every photo. Ask yourself what the photos do not show.
- Work out your top price first and bid up to it, not past it. Every bid is a multiple of KSh 50.
- Check the seller’s notes about what is included: charger, box, cables, remotes.
- Remember the 10% deposit: it is refunded if you do not win, and counts toward the price if you do.
How checking works on Bids Kenya
You cannot hold the item before you bid, so use what you can: the photos, the condition description and the seller’s answers. Once you win, you can ask the seller for extra photos or a short video before you pay the balance.
You pay the balance to Bids Kenya, not to the seller. After the item arrives, test it before you tap “I have received the item”. The seller is paid only after you confirm, and if something is wrong you can report a problem from your order first.
In this guide
Frequently asked questions
Can I test an item before I bid?
Not usually, because the item stays with the seller until you win and pay. Use the photos and description, and ask for extra photos or video after you win and before you pay the balance.
What if the item is not as described?
Do not confirm receipt. Report a problem from your order. An administrator reviews it and payment to the seller is held until it is decided.
Do you sell mobile phones?
No. Mobile phones in any condition are not allowed on Bids Kenya.
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Ready to find your next item?
Browse live auctions. Your deposit is refunded if you do not win.