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Buying refurbished is the easiest way to save money on tech. The catch is that refurbished products usually come with a history. To ensure you’re getting the best value for your money, here’s a quick rundown of things you should check before you make a purchase.
1Assess the Product’s Condition
When you purchase something new, you know it’s brand new. However, “refurbished” can mean many things. It could mean the product was returned without being used, used briefly, repaired/restored, or belonged to a discontinued line.
Given the ambiguity regarding what “refurbished” truly means in the tech world, it’s in your best interest to do some digging to understand the exact condition of the product being sold. When you’re browsing, look forrefurbishment grades, like Grade A and Grade B, and labels like “gently used,” “like new,” and “certified refurbished.” Different sites might use variations of these labels; however, check them since they can indicate a product’s level of wear.
2Verify Refurbisher and Check Reputation
If you’re going the refurbished route, you must check who was responsible for the refurbishment. Your best bet is to buy a product refurbished by the manufacturer directly. you may buy manufacturer-refurbished devices through the company’s official website or authorizedthird-party websites.
On the other hand, purchasing a third-party refurbished product can offer great savings but requires a lot of caution. While you might strike gold with one, another might disappoint. If you decide to purchase a third-party refurbished product, check the seller’s reputation by reading reviews left by previous customers. If you see more negative reviews than positive, it’s best to reconsider.
Online reviews can be faked, so familiarize yourself with the differentways to spot fake and useless reviews.
3Ensure All Accessories Are Included
When you purchase a brand-new device, you don’t have to worry about missing accessories; everything you’ll need to operate the device is usually packed in the box. However, with refurbished items, it’s possible for essential accessories like cables or chargers to be missing. Alternatively, original accessories might be replaced with similar, generic versions that you’re essentially just taking a bet on.
Of course, this isn’t likely to happen if you opt for a refurbished item sold by the manufacturer, but it’s a risk with third-party refurbished products. To avoid any issues, read the product description carefully so you know what’s included in the box. When you receive the product, quickly check to ensure all the accessories are included and in working condition.
4Review the Warranty Terms
In your excitement over finding a solid deal on a refurbished product, it’s easy to overlook the warranty terms. However, the warranty can come in handy if something goes wrong after you make your purchase. Given this, I recommend not purchasing products marked “as-is” since you won’t have a safety net in case potential issues arise.
If you don’t see this label, look for the warranty information provided by the manufacturer or the third-party seller. At minimum, the product should have a 90-day warranty. Check what the warranty covers and how long these protections last. Often, warranties will only cover certain damages. For instance, several repairs, like water damage and DIY repair damage, are not covered by thefree warranty you receive for a phone. It helps to know these limitations so you can make an informed decision.
5Confirm the Return Window and Policy
There’s a chance you’ll open the box and find that the refurbished item doesn’t function or look as expected. In such cases, having the option to return the product to the manufacturer or third-party seller can help. Some retailers offer a 14-day or 30-day return window, usually plenty of time to tinker with the product and determine if it meets your expectations.
However, if you see that the seller has a very short return window, charges a return fee, or has any other terms listed on their site that suggest the return process might be overly complicated, it’s best to look elsewhere.
6Compare Prices of Similar Products
People usually buy refurbished tech in the hopes of saving money. So, before you make a purchase, be sure to check the prices of similar products, both refurbished and new, to ensure you’re actually getting a good deal.
Sometimes, especially during big sales, the price difference between a new and refurbished item might be minimal. In such a case, it’s best just to pay the difference and purchase a brand-new product, given that you’re pretty much guaranteed that the product will work as claimed, look unused, and have all the accessories included in the box.
If the price of a new and refurbished item is substantially different, compare prices for the same product on different platforms. Some websites might be running promotions or discounts to help you buy the product at an additional discount.
7Check Compatibility With Current Tech and Your Needs
If you’re purchasing an older refurbished device, check if it’s compatible with your existing devices and software. For instance, if you’re purchasing an older, refurbished laptop that you intend to game on, you’ll want to ensure the device has sufficient RAM andSSD storagefor smooth gameplay and fast load times. If you ignore these requirements and purchase a refurbished laptop with4GB of RAM, for instance, you’ll be disappointed with its performance.
Similarly, in the case of a phone, if you purchase an old, refurbished smartphone at a good price only to find that it does not support the latest apps or receive software updates, you’re unlikely to get much value from the purchase.
