The Big Phone Store

The Big Phone Store, refurbished phones from Wolverhampton

The Big Phone Store is a British retailer specialising in refurbished mobile phones operating from its centre in Wolverhampton. The company, founded by Steve Athwal in 1999, has over 25 years of activity in the sector and presents itself as one of the companies that was working with mobile phones before the market became mainstream. Its activity covers the sale of refurbished devices, the purchase of used handsets from individuals and the trade-in of equipment, with refurbishment and customer service managed in-house.

Device and accessory catalogue

The store offers phones from brands such as Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola, Nokia, Honor, OnePlus, Nothing, Huawei, Sony Xperia, Xiaomi and Oppo, with different storage capacities and colours. The catalogue is organised by ranges and models — from iPhone and Galaxy S and A to Google Pixel — and allows filtering by price bands ranging from under £100 to over £500. In addition to phones, it sells refurbished tablets and smartwatches, and an accessories section that includes cases, screen protectors, charging cables and adapters, power banks, tablet accessories, official Apple accessories, earphones and headphones, SIM cards, empty boxes and gift cards.

Technical checks and warranty

According to the company's information, every device sold passes more than 90 functionality checks, as well as background and history checks. The minimum guaranteed battery health is 85%; any battery below that level is replaced before sale, and the customer can opt for a new battery at the time of purchase. All devices include a free 12-month warranty, extendable to two years, five years or lifetime, and the company offers one month of free insurance against accidental damage, loss and theft.

Shipping and stock availability

Standard shipping is free on orders over £30, and free express shipping (one to two days) applies to orders over £150. Next-day and next-day before 1pm deliveries are also offered. The company dispatches five days a week and provides a tracking number for each order. Regarding stock, it states that it only advertises products that are physically available and ready to ship the same day.

Buying and trading in used phones

The trade-in service allows you to value your old phone through a questionnaire with specific questions about its condition, send it with free packaging and shipping label, and receive the amount in your bank account, in most cases within 24 hours. The company states that it does not reduce the agreed price if the device matches the customer's description and that, if the offer is not satisfactory, it returns the phone free of charge.

Financing and gift cards

The store allows purchases to be split into up to 36 monthly payments through its FlexPay system, subject to credit approval and the corresponding terms and conditions. It also sells electronic gift cards worth up to £500.

Track record and business size

The company presents itself as a business that has grown from a local operation to a nationwide retailer, keeping quality control, refurbishment and customer service in-house. On its website, it cites a track record of over 200,000 satisfied customers, more than 400,000 devices sold and 87,074 reviews collected across various platforms. The founder, Steve Athwal, remains involved with the company and states that he personally handles customer communications that cannot be resolved through other channels.

Location and contact

Phone: 01902 256 300 · Email: info@thebigphonestore.co.uk · Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 09:00-17:30