Tips When Buying Refurbished Technology
Refurbished technology products are great for when you need a new phone or similar, but you don’t have the means or the budget to buy something brand new. Whether you are looking to live more sustainably through investing in recycled assets or you just need a new bit of tech quickly, refurbished sales are the way to go. However, it is important to keep your wits about you because there are some less-than-legitimate products available on the common marketplace. Here are the top tips for buying refurbished technology.
Understand What Refurbished Really Means
This term is assigned to tech products that have already been owned or used by someone. It could be just the one time, or it might be over a longer period like a month or even a year. These products are returned when the owner upgrades to something different, and modifications are typically made to return them to an acceptable standard.
Get to Know the Condition Grading System
There are varying conditions of refurbished items which are all available to buy on certain platforms. Here is a breakdown of the main categories.
Like New
If you purchase something with a ‘like new’ label, then the product should be hard to differentiate from a brand-new version. It should look pristine, be fully functional, and be completely restored to factory settings in the case of things like phones.
Good
On the other hand, ‘good’ means the refurbished item could show some signs of wear and tear and might be a bit slow or not quite perfect. Good products are still a decent bargain and tend to be priced in the average range, which makes them more accessible financially.
Visible Signs of Use
The final category is naturally the cheapest option because there will be things like scratches or chips to factor in. There should only be aesthetic problems, though, so make sure you check the status before spending money. These products may be suitable for someone who needs a temporary phone or interim laptop to get them through a few weeks before an upgrade, for instance, but they might not be a great fix in the long term.
Be Wary of Scams
Scams are everywhere, and sadly it is possible to lose money to someone with bad intentions in the refurbished tech market. This is why it is always better to shop on a reputable site instead of someone who is selling products that look too good to be true. And remember these tips before buying refurbished technology and getting scammed.
Have the Option of Changing Your Mind
Sometimes, it is hard to return a refurbished item to the seller. It is important to check through the returns policy before you buy something in case you change your mind. Often, companies that specialize in this area will have a decent and lenient return timeframe that should suit your needs. For instance, it is common to be able to send a product back within the first 14 days of owning it.
Check the Accessories
Take a look at the entire product description before committing to purchase, because you may be surprised at just how little actually comes in the box. It is fairly typical to find refurbished laptops and so on that don’t come with a standard-issued charger. So, if you are going to use it, you will need to find your own.
Check the Warranty Options
If there is one thing that is non-negotiable, it is the warranty policy. Find a company like plug that has an attractive warranty cover of at least 12 months and you will have an immediately improved peace of mind moving forward. This just helps you stay protected if your device needs any repairs or develops a fault in the first year of owning it and means that all of the work you could need will probably be covered under the warranty details.
Verifying the Deal Appeal
Shop around for the best deal, because there are hundreds to pick from. You could find the perfect phone or headphones at a great price and be amazed that there is a better deal waiting around the corner. If you don’t look, then you won’t know. So, make sure you compare a decent range and get a sense of average costs before you dive in and buy something that you could end up regretting later.
Top Questions to Ask
It is only natural to have certain questions circling your brain, and the selection below are the top things to ask when you are looking to buy refurbished technology.
How Many Owners Has the Device Had?
This may or may not matter to you, but ascertaining how many previous owners the device held will give you a better idea of why it is being resold as refurbished and how much wear and tear there has been. This is really important for older models of certain phones and even more relevant for devices like televisions and computers.
What Repair Work Has Been Carried Out?
If the website you are looking at does not say much about the repair work, get in touch and ask. You have the right to know what has been done and why the device needed it.
Does It Come with a Charger?
This is a great question that often catches people out when they don’t ask it. If the device comes with a charger in the box, that’s great! If it doesn’t, you will have to factor that into your budget. It is impossible to own a piece of technology without a charger attached.
Is This the Best Deal?
Finally, make sure you have shopped around and explored all of the options. Just because something looks amazing in terms of price, doesn’t necessarily mean it is the absolute best deal out there.
Buying refurbished technology certainly has its place, and there are a lot of perks associated with this kind of purchase. However, it is essential that before you spend money on refurb models, you know where they come from and what your options are for both returns and warranty coverage. Find a great deal, and you could save lots of money with a great asset. Hope these tips will help you in buying refurbished technology.
