Scam or Not: 5 Things to Check When Buying Refurbished Gadgets

Trying to keep up with the latest electronics will surely burn a hole in a working man’s pocket. High-quality, brand-new gadgets are really expensive, especially mobile phones with face recognition feature. That is why buying refurbished electronics is a great option if you are a bit strapped for cash. 

Not only will you be able to save money because of deals that can go as high as 50% off or more, but you will also help the environment. By purchasing a refurbished smartphone, tablet, or desktop, you are rescuing these gadgets from an untimely trip to overflowing landfills or recycling centers. 

An IT director has been quoted saying that upfront costs are reduced to as little as 30% when buying refurbished mainstream networking hardware.

Purchasing refurbished electronics often gets a bad rap, so it is understandable if you are having some reservations about it. To help dispel those doubts, here are the top five things you should look out for if you are planning to buy refurbished gadgets. 

1. Do your research and look for a reputable seller

If you cannot buy directly from the manufacturer, make your purchase from a supplier that has good reviews in terms of product quality, purchase or return policies, and overall customer service. 

Some stores sell stolen electronics claiming that they are refurbished. You must check for testimonials, press coverage if applicable, and take note of the positive and negative reviews you come across online. Don’t just rely on their website or official company social media accounts, but check other relevant forums or pages, as well. 

2. Find out how your chosen store selects equipment from other sellers

It is also great if you have a way to get to know how your chosen store selects its suppliers. Prioritize sellers that work with refurbishers who pass set quality assurance processes whenever possible. This gives additional assurance that quality is consistently at par with existing standards. 

3. Be thorough in reviewing return policies and warranty guidelines 

Always read the fine print before finalizing your purchase, and assess their policy details. The store should have reasonable, user-friendly return policies and warranty guidelines in case you get a defective product. 

At a minimum, companies often offer a six-month warranty with a 30-day return policy. If you are buying directly from manufacturers, their refurbished selections usually come with a 1-year warranty, like their new products in the market. 

It will be great if they have live customer service or tech support that can help you with potential issues that may arise post-purchase.

4. Evaluate the gadget’s condition and appearance

Refurb sellers often have a rating system that indicates the state of the devices in their inventory. In general, there are no standard terms to reveal refurbished items’ conditions, so you have to read the descriptions and reviews very carefully when making a purchase online. 

5. Check the actual age of the gadget your buying

Check the gadget’s original release date and model number. For smartphones, it is recommended that you consider only those that are between 1 to 2 years old. Aside from shorter battery lives, older phones will most probably not have the capability to be updated to the latest version of your chosen operating system.

If you are planning to get a refurbished computer, doing a quick search of the CPU model will yield results to show you the processor’s release date.

Refurbished gadgets are not automatically lower quality electronics. Purchasing refurbs is an awesome way to save money if you do your homework. The key to getting the best possible deal is to make sure that you are purchasing from a trusted refurbished gadget seller

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