Most of us enjoy getting a new gadget; the excitement that comes with purchasing something new is comparable to owning a sports car. But what happens when you buy a device that's already been used or even damaged? You might balk at the price difference, but for many people it's the best way to save money.
Over the years, refurbished mobile phones have grown increasingly in popularity. Many smartphone owners have or are considering purchasing pre-owned handsets as they are cheaper in price.
So whether you're looking for your next purchase or just browsing, here are some key points to keep in mind when shopping for refurbished tech:
1. Remember that it will not last as long
It can be tempting to buy something off of Amazon because they have low prices and fast shipping, but you should remember that refurbished items were previously used and might not last as long as their original counterparts. This can be good if you're trying to save money, but it also means that you won't have a device for as long which could be a problem if the device breaks after a month or two.
2. Be Aware of Past Issues
Some companies like Refurb-It have great customer service and are willing to work with customers that need help, but other companies do not offer customer service and will often release devices back into the wild. Before buying any refurbished tech, you should double check the company's product history for return policy concerns.
3. Warranty is important
Sometimes buying a refurbished product can give you the chance to get a warranty on it. If you plan to keep the device for a while, then this can be really useful because if anything goes wrong you'll have your issue taken care of. Just keep in mind that some refurbished products might not come with warranty even though it's listed on the website.
4. Look at reviews
There are many websites out there that allow users to leave their reviews on different products that they have bought before. This can be very useful when looking into buying refurbished tech as most people will list any issues or problems with a product and how well customer service helped them out when they needed it.
5. Be aware of shipping costs
When buying refurbished items, you will likely need to pay for shipping costs. This doesn't always have to be expensive, but there are a lot of companies that charge a lot more than others. You should make sure that you know exactly how much shipping will cost so that you don't end up paying too much for something in the long run.
6. Look at warranty (or lack thereof)
Some companies will offer device warranty when buying refurbished tech but many times this is not the case. This can be really annoying if your device breaks after buying it, and it does happen from time to time.
When buying refurbished tech, keep all these tips in mind so that you can find the perfect item for a great price!
Why buy refurbished tech?
Refurbished tech are items that have been restored after experiencing issues. They will either fix everything and resell it at a discount, or send it to another company for refurbishment. Sometimes there is no difference between a refurbished item and a new product. The only way to know for sure is to check the serial number on the packaging of the device, because if it agrees with when you are supposed to get your warranty, then you know that this is an original product.
Refurbished handsets can also be good for the environment. Buying refurbished smartphones will help to put an end to the vicious cycle that is buying brand new, decreasing the environmental impact of creating new handsets.
If you want to buy refurbished tech, remember that not all resellers are good (the prices might be too low) or they might deliver something damaged (or even worse). Be aware of warranty If you buy refurbished tech, make sure that you check the warranty before clicking “buy”. Some companies will offer a warranty for refurbished products, but many will not. It is important to look at this if the device you are thinking of buying is expensive (such as a TV, fridge or computer), because this can be an issue if anything goes wrong.
Check reviews If you want to buy refurbished tech, don't forget to check user reviews online about the product and company that you are thinking of buying from. Just reading about someone else's experience with a certain company and product can give you an idea about what you might get into.
