Guide · Buying used tech

Used consoles and controllers: what to check

What to check when buying a second-hand game console or controller in Kenya: stick drift, disc drive, ports, cooling, accounts and accessories.

Consoles are sturdy, but wear shows up in controllers, disc drives and cooling. Check these before you confirm receipt.

What to look for in the listing

Which model it is, what storage it has, and which controllers, cables and accessories are included.
Photos of the ports, vents and any marks, and one with the console powered on.
Whether the console is free of any account lock from the previous owner.

Tests when it arrives

Controllers: check sticks for drift, that every button and trigger works, and the charging and connection.
Disc drive: insert a disc and check it reads and ejects without grinding noises.
Cooling: play for 20 minutes and listen for very loud fans or sudden shutdowns.
Ports and output: test the video output, USB ports and network port you use.
Accounts: set it up as your own and check there is no previous owner’s account left on it.

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.