One of the benefits of shopping online is bypassing the malls and crowds. The downside is you don't always have the same dialog with the merchant. This can be critical when trying to find answers about used electronics. One area you shouldn't overlook is batteries. While the device price may be great, you may not be getting a bargain. We've got two key items for you to ask.

Everyone loves bargains. You often hear tales of people getting spectacular buys on places such as eBay. But before you make that final commitment, do a little bit of research. Most portable electronics such as cell phones, cordless phones, digital cameras, notebooks and PDAs require some sort of battery power. Most of these devices use lithium ion batteries.

Although lithium ion batteries are better than earlier battery technology, where you had to reset the memory and do a full discharge, they don't last forever. Over time, these batteries degrade and hold less of a charge. One of my PDAs, which is 3 years old, only allows me to listen to audio for 90 minutes before it dies and needs recharging.

The first question to research about your device is whether the battery can be replaced. Some devices don't allow you to replace the battery. When the battery reaches the end of its cycle, the device is good for spare parts unless it also has AC power. This becomes important if you're buying an electronic device that is several years old.

The tougher part finding out how much power is left in the battery. Chances are the seller doesn't have the diagnostic equipment to tell you. But the seller should know from their own experience how long the device can be used before it needs a recharge. I would not be shy about asking this question to a seller.

If the battery is replaceable, you're in better shape. I would still check how much a new one costs and factor that into your purchase decision. You may be surprised at the cost of replacement batteries. When researching the cost, you may also discover how easy or difficult it is to find a battery supplier. Sometimes the vendors have stopped producing the device and accessories so need to find a third party supplier.

The point to remember is that even though you're buying a used device, you still want to get as much use out of it as possible. Don't fall in love with the low price without doing some research. You may decide after doing the research, a newer device is more economical.

Additional Resources

• How to prolong lithium-based batteries