Buying refurbished tech is great, but always check these 7 things
Key things
- Refurbished products vary in quality, so check the grades of refurb, check if it’s certified by the manufacturer, and check the reputation of the refurbisher.
- Make sure all necessary accessories are included. Also check the warranty terms and return policy.
- To get the best value, compare the prices of similar products – new and refurbished – and confirm that the equipment meets your technical requirements.
Buying refurbished is the easiest way to save money on appliances. The catch is that refurbished products usually come with a history. To make sure you’re getting the best value for your money, here’s a quick rundown of things to check before you buy.
1 Rate the product status
When you buy something new, you know it’s brand new. However, “refurbished” can mean many things. This could mean that the product has been returned unused, used briefly, repaired/refurbished or discontinued.
Given the confusion about what “refurbished” really means in the tech world, it’s in your best interest to understand the exact condition of the product being sold. As you browse, look for grades of refurb like grade A and grade B, and labels like “gently used,” “like new,” and “certified refurbished.” Different sites may use variations of these tags; however, check them as they may indicate the level of wear and tear on the product.
2 Verify the Refurbisher and check the reputation
If you go the renovated route, you need to check who was responsible for the renovation. The best solution is to buy a product refurbished directly by the manufacturer. You can purchase refurbished devices from the manufacturer through the company’s official website or authorized third-party websites.
On the other hand, buying a third-party refurbished product can offer big savings, but requires a lot of caution. While you may strike gold with one, the other may disappoint. If you decide to buy a third-party refurbished product, verify the seller’s reputation by reading reviews from previous customers. If you see more negative reviews than positive, it’s best to reconsider.
3 Make sure all accessories are included
When you buy a brand new device, you don’t have to worry about missing accessories; everything you will need to operate the device is usually packed in the box. However, refurbished items may lack essential accessories such as cables or chargers. Alternatively, the original accessories can be replaced with similar, generic versions that you basically just bet on.
Of course, this won’t happen if you opt for a refurbished item sold by the manufacturer, but it is a risk with third-party refurbished products. To avoid problems, read the product description carefully to know what is included in the package. After receiving the product, quickly check that all accessories are included and that they are functional.
4 Read the Warranty Terms
In your excitement to find a solid deal on a refurbished product, it’s easy to overlook warranty terms. However, a warranty can come in handy if something goes wrong after purchase. That being said, I recommend not buying products labeled “as is” because you won’t have a safety net in case there are potential problems.
If you don’t see this label, look for warranty information provided by the manufacturer or third-party retailer. At a minimum, the product should have a 90-day warranty. Check what the warranty covers and how long these protections last. Often, warranties only cover certain damages. For example, the free warranty you get on your phone doesn’t cover a few repairs like water damage and manual damage. It helps to know these limitations so you can make an informed decision.
5 Confirm return window and policy
You may open the box and find that the refurbished item does not work or look as expected. In such cases, being able to return the product to the manufacturer or third-party seller can help. Some sellers offer a 14-day or 30-day return period, which is usually enough time to play with the product and see if it meets your expectations.
However, if you find that the seller has a very short return period, charges a return fee, or has any other terms on their website that indicate the return process may be too complicated, it’s best to look elsewhere.
6 Compare prices of similar products
People usually buy refurbished technology in hopes of saving money. So before you buy, be sure to check the prices of similar products, both refurbished and new, to make sure you’re really getting a good deal.
Sometimes, especially during big sales, the price difference between new and refurbished items can be minimal. In this case, it is best to pay the difference and buy a brand new product, as you are almost guaranteed that the product will work as declared, look unused and have all the accessories included.
If the price of a new and refurbished item is significantly different, compare the prices of the same product on different platforms. Some websites may run promotions or discounts to help you purchase a product at an additional discount.
7 Check compatibility with current technology and your needs
If you are buying an older refurbished device, check that it is compatible with your existing devices and software. For example, if you’re buying an older, refurbished laptop to play on, you’ll want to make sure the device has enough RAM and SSD storage for smooth gaming and fast loading. If you ignore these requirements and buy a refurbished laptop with, for example, 4GB of RAM, you will be disappointed with its performance.
Similarly, with a phone, if you buy an old, refurbished smartphone at a good price, only to find out that it doesn’t support the latest apps or receive software updates, you’re unlikely to get much value from your purchase.