Apple

Hey - We are going to take the plunge and get my daughter an iphone for xmas. I don't want to buy her a brand new one in fear she will lose it since it is her first one. I was thinking a refurbished one off Amazon. I've never bought a "used" phone before, and my understanding is I can buy any phone I want and then take it to any carrier I want and have them set it up with a sim card and a cell plan.

Is this correct? I know this is a dumb question.. but I've turned into a total luddite with technology...

Any advice on buying a used iphone would be welcomed. Thanks in advance!