Hardware Is it a bad idea to buy a pre-owned Nintendo switch still?

[Awesomekid956000]

Before I go any further, sorry if this is in the wrong catagory. It's just the one I thought most matched my question. Long story short I've been saving up to buy a switch. I'm almost ready to buy one from GameStop, but I've been reading that people trying to mod their switches and got banned ended up selling these consoles to eBay, GameStop, etc. I would prefer to buy a pre-owned console since it's a little cheaper, but is this still a problem?

 

[KyleHyde]

Before I go any further, sorry if this is in the wrong catagory. It's just the one I thought most matched my question. Long story short I've been saving up to buy a switch. I'm almost ready to buy one from GameStop, but I've been reading that people trying to mod their switches and got banned ended up selling these consoles to eBay, GameStop, etc. I would prefer to buy a pre-owned console since it's a little cheaper, but is this still a problem?

It really depends on where you buy it from.

I got a used one from a seller on eBay who often stocks up on them (console/tablet only) and it's been working fine ever since. The system was clean and I've kept it that way, seeing as I have no intentions of hacking it due to online play. Unless GameStop does actually check whether a sold/preowned console is banned in the first place (which I doubt they do), it'd probably be a bit of a mixed bag buying one from them. You could also just wait until a new console happens to be on sale, though I'm not sure how often that happens nowadays.

 

[Agilato]

Usually used switches like 60-50$ cheaper than new one, i would spend extra 50$ because of the Nintendo warranty.

But if switch is gonna be in a good condition for a good price why not, you have to spent very good amount of time to make sure everything is working... there is so many possible faults with them...

So many problems with a power circuit you have to test it with USB power tester, to make sure it's draws right amount of power and charges from both sides equally, you have to test how does it work with a doc stations there ton of switches after port or P13 USB chip fixes that aren't docking.

 

[EmulateLife]

I think it's a great idea if you're sure you're getting an unpatched Switch.

 

[Awesomekid956000]

Is there a way I can check if my system is banned when I first bring it home without an online membership? GameStop gives a 7 day cash back or replacement warranty right? If I can figure it out before 7 days it should be fine

 

[Agilato]

Is there a way I can check if my system is banned when I first bring it home without an online membership? GameStop gives a 7 day cash back or replacement warranty right? If I can figure it out before 7 days it should be fine

I think you just need internet connection, and if system banned when you will open eShop that will show you the message.

 

[Awesomekid956000]

Oh, seems simple enough, I don't think I got much to be worried about then, thanks!

 

[Pleng]

Oh, seems simple enough, I don't think I got much to be worried about then, thanks!

From what I've read before, and I don't know if things have changed recently, but Nintendo bans come in waves. There's always a possibility that a pre-owned console is not banned but has been flagged for banning in the future.

 

[Awesomekid956000]

I guess I'll have to worry about that, but I hate that Nintendo does that instead of just flagging consoles then banning them immediately. Like duh

 

[zomborg]

I bought a pre-owned switch. Previous owner really abused it. I had to replace the back plate, joy-con shells and digitizer.

Now that I've got it looking nice again, my goal is to hack it and not use it for online play. (I have a clean switch for online)

Since I'm not ever going online with it, how do I determine if the previous owner ever hacked it?
Also how do I determine if it has been banned?

 

[Agilato]

I bought a pre-owned switch. Previous owner really abused it. I had to replace the back plate, joy-con shells and digitizer.

Now that I've got it looking nice again, my goal is to hack it and not use it for online play. (I have a clean switch for online)

Since I'm not ever going online with it, how do I determine if the previous owner ever hacked it?
Also how do I determine if it has been banned?

There is no way to tell if it was hacked before(only if version looks like hacked) but if you updated it there is no traces, usually all payload and soft located at SD card without actually modifying a console(at least that what i know about it)

You cat check if it was banned just by opening a store and if it will give you to do anything over there... Try to download a free game or something...

Like i mentioned before if it's banned you would't be able to even open it... ;-)

 

[Ericthegreat]

Before I go any further, sorry if this is in the wrong catagory. It's just the one I thought most matched my question. Long story short I've been saving up to buy a switch. I'm almost ready to buy one from GameStop, but I've been reading that people trying to mod their switches and got banned ended up selling these consoles to eBay, GameStop, etc. I would prefer to buy a pre-owned console since it's a little cheaper, but is this still a problem?

There is a chance it will get banned after you buy it, not much you can do about that, just wondering, you have no interest in finding an older firmware switch online to mod yourself?

 

[Deleted User]

Buying a used Switch is a gamble. It might be flagged for a ban, and you have no way of knowing when you buy it.

Given all the Switch Pro rumours and that retailers are selling Switches at reduced prices right now, it’s highly likely that by the end of the year the Switch Pro will be available.

Just wait a few months, if nothing is announced by Black Friday, buy a brand new Switch on special.

 

[Agilato]

Buying a used Switch is a gamble. It might be flagged for a ban, and you have no way of knowing when you buy it.

Given all the Switch Pro rumours and that retailers are selling Switches at reduced prices right now, it’s highly likely that by the end of the year the Switch Pro will be available.

Just wait a few months, if nothing is announced by Black Friday, buy a brand new Switch on special.

Based on information the way how ppl. got banned system works extremely fast, some switches got banned in hours...

But i totally agree on a "gamble" side...

 

[MohammedQ8]

Save more money to buy it new later, do not rush.

I bought a used system to use it for hacking only will not connect it to the internet.

 

[zomborg]

There is no way to tell if it was hacked before(only if version looks like hacked) but if you updated it there is no traces, usually all payload and soft located at SD card without actually modifying a console(at least that what i know about it)

You cat check if it was banned just by opening a store and if it will give you to do anything over there... Try to download a free game or something...

Like i mentioned before if it's banned you would't be able to even open it... ;-)

When I bought the switch, it was on version 8.01
I have not updated it. I did not want to take it online but I may have to in order to determine if it is banned.
My nintendo account is on my other switch. I don't want to link it with this hackable switch.
How do I access the Nintendo store without my account?

 

[Agilato]

When I bought the switch, it was on version 8.01
I have not updated it. I did not want to take it online but I may have to in order to determine if it is banned.
My nintendo account is on my other switch. I don't want to link it with this hackable switch.
How do I access the Nintendo store without my account?

You can easily create a fake one.... for those kind of things.

 

[zomborg]

You can easily create a fake one.... for those kind of things.

Hmmmm that's true. Good point. I shall look into that.

 

[Captain_N]

It depends. Its a damn mine field out there with the bans. But if its a banned console then its exploitable...The ban had to happen from cfw

 

[zomborg]

Just checked mine. It has not been banned. Yay!! Thanks for the help Agilato.