When you’re short on money but need a laptop or a smartphone, buying refurbished electronics is the way to go. But is it always better to opt for this less costly alternative? More importantly, is it safe to get refurbished electronics at all?
What Are Refurbished Electronics?
When you say “refurbished electronics,” some people think of massively broken items with horrible defects. However, most items labeled as “refurbished” are only missing one piece of had a portion of the screen cracked. Even better, many come from buyers who simply feel bored with their current phone and want an upgrade. That can result in a barely used phone ending up in a brand new box with a “refurbished” sticker on it. In the end, these items can save a customer hundreds of dollars!
Other refurbished electronics are indeed heavily damaged, but not as severely as people like to believe. Instead of a laptop snapped cleanly in two, as some imagine, the product may have scratches, dents, and screen imperfections. Usually, it’s damaged during shipping and transportation, which leads to a return. Once again, a technician checks the item and puts it in a refurbished box.
But how do you shop for the refurbished items in safety and get a good deal?
How To Shop Safely
Of course, shopping for refurbished electronics can result in purchasing a dud. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to avoid this! First and foremost, look into the most trusted shops and retailers. Just like buying a new item, or any object for that matter, popular and trusted brands often put a lot of hard work into their products, resulting in electronics that can be recycled without a loss of quality. Meanwhile, also make sure to buy directly from the source. It is far safer to buy a refurbished MacBook directly from Apple, than from an account with no reviews on eBay.
You should always consider what model you are looking for when shopping. Looking for an old version? Then prepare for an item with a lot more wear and tear. It went through a lot, and you won’t know if it’s in good condition. Also, get the return policy and a warranty with the product when buying it. If not available, skip the dealer and find another shop. The return policy will guarantee the possibility of returning an item if it doesn’t work correctly in the first week. Meanwhile, the warranty should cover one for at least one month, if not 90 days.
If you find a vendor without reviews, returns, or warranties, stay away. Unfortunately, the world of refurbished electronics is full of scams from sellers trying to get rid of unwanted or unusable products. Always make sure to do your research and go with a trusted vendor. However, if you do that, buying refurbished can save you hundreds, if not thousands, over your lifetime!
Sources: Finance101, LifeHacker