Are refurbished electronics worth buying?

Let’s say one is in the market to buy a new tablet. The tablet they’ve got their eye set on is Apple iPad Pro, but they can’t seem to find a new one for less than €1,099, which is a bit out of their price range. As they do their online research to find a better price, they come across an offer for a second-hand iPad Pro for as little as €350. This sounds like a good deal, but still, they hesitate. They probably suspect that if someone wants to get rid of this tablet, there must be something wrong with it. They might worry that the tablet won’t work at all, or it will perhaps break down within a month or two, leaving them out of your money with nothing to show for it.

However, there is a third option on the market. If one is eager to save some money on electronic devices, buying refurbished electronics is one of the best ways to get top value for money. The ultimate trick with refurbished electronics is to make sure that the product is genuinely refurbished and not only repackaged, cleaned up and repriced. And all that demands asking some questions and checking the refurbished electronics supplier’s credentials before settling on a deal. 

One can now buy a fully refurbished iPad Pro from a reputable site like Blue City and get their desired tablet in like-new condition for around €600. Those keen to find out more about Blue City will discover that their top quality refurbished electronics come with an impressive three-year guarantee, and they offer many other customer-friendly policies that make them key market players.

Refurbished electronic devices are perhaps the best of both worlds, with better prices than new items and lower risks than used – as long as one shops wisely and buy it from a trustworthy source. Keep reading to find out the full story behind refurbished electronic devices, and get a clear picture if they are worth buying.

What is a refurbished device? 

Even though the “refurbished” label puts many people off, it’s a blanket term that covers many potential scenarios, and all it means is that the product has been returned. The refurbished devices seller may have repaired a major or a minor fault. Maybe the device has been returned because there was “cosmetic damage” to the item, or the packaging was damaged. Last but not least, perhaps the original buyer had second thoughts and changed his or her mind for the product, so they returned it.

Whatever the reason for returning is, the refurbished goods seller will thoroughly test the product and make all repairs that are deemed necessary. Their job is to clean the product well, reset its software to factory conditions and repackage it. In most of the cases, you’ll get a device that is as good as new. It is also likely to last as long and work every bit as well as a brand new product.

What refurbished devices are worth buying? 

The best tablets, smartphones, laptops, personal computers, cameras, and TVs are all reportedly worth buying and can be discounted by up to 50% of their original price. One will most certainly see various suggestions that they should avoid buying certain refurbished products, but speaking realistically, refurbed items are always a minor gamble.

One might receive a device that has been returned unused. Such items can’t be resold as new, but those are brand new items for all intents and purposed. On the contrary, one might sometimes get a product that comes with a minor scratch. That’s why one should try to mitigate the risk in a couple of ways: buying only from highly-reliable legitimate businesses and protect one’s investment as much as possible.

How can one protect themself when buying a refurbished device? 

When one is on the market for refurbished electronics, it’s vital to research both the product and the seller. Here are the top five things one should check when buying a refurbished device to protect their investment:

• Check what’s included. One should always check the listing carefully to ensure that their refurbished item comes with all the extras they need to use it. For example, if one is buying a personal computer, they should check whether the mouse, keyboard and power cables are included. If they are not, they should review how much extra they will have to spend to buy new ones and make their final decision. 
• Warranty. Even though most of the refurbished items come with a warranty, it’s important to know that some dealers only cover their sold items for 30 to 90 days, which is not ideal. Even more, some sellers don’t include a warranty at all unless one specifically pays for it. One should always pay attention to how extended the item’s warranty is before they buy it, so they know how long they have got the item covered for if there’s any problem. One should stay away from products listed “as is” since they are usually used rather than refurbished.
• Read online reviews. It’s good to read some reviews of the product to learn about its weak and strong sides and make sure it has all the features that you need. One can even make a list of the problems other owners had with the product, and test their refurbished device as soon as it arrives if it has any of the same issues. One should do this as quickly as possible, so they can return it within the warranty period if something isn’t right.
• Check the price. Before purchasing a refurbished electronic device, one should check out how much the same product would cost new. If the difference between the two is rather small, then the refurbished item is not a bargain.
• Return policy. It’s wise to check how to return a device if one is not satisfied with it. The length of the return period is essential and depends on where one bought the item from. Also, one should check if the seller charges a “restocking fee” for returned items.

Is it worth buying a refurbished device?

The most significant advantage of buying a refurbished iPhone instead of a new one is the cost-saving aspect. One will probably end up getting the same smartphone, tablet, or laptop for less than the original cost.

If one is cash-constrained and needs a new device, refurbished devices are probably their best bet. As opposed to used or second-hand devices, refurbished devices come with all the extras that one will need. Besides, upon buying one, the customer also becomes an advocate for a sustainable environment as the devices are recycled, meaning one is helping to ensure that they stay out of landfills.

Final Thoughts 

The most important thing to remember is to do the homework first and always purchase refurbished items from a reputable source or check with Geeks Callout London for professional help and advice. The more one knows about the device and its seller, the better their chances of avoiding an unpleasant surprise and enjoying their refurbished iPhone or iPad.

The editorial unit