It isn’t everyday that you buy a new laptop or a phone or for that matter need a brand new Xbox or PlayStation. This is especially the case if you need something good but don’t have the budget for a brand new item or simply don’t want to splurge $300 on a phone for your child. In such cases, refurbished devices work just as well and can provide huge cost savings. Most people, however, stay away from these refurbished electronics because they are unsure how well they work or simply don’t know where to get quality electronics for a discounted price.

Fear not, TechVise will tell you what you need to watch out for when buying used electronics and furthermore, where to get these.

Used Vs. Refurbished devices

Used devices are just that; used. They are being sold without warranty and may only cover returns if they are Dead on Arrival [DOA]. Never get used electronics. Used books are fine, but not electronics such as phones, laptops and gaming devices. Yes, memory cards and USB memory is fine when getting used.

On the other hand, refurbished devices have gone through the ringer and a pro has thoroughly checked out everything from Hard drive, ports, buttons and battery to screen / display.

What To Look Out For When Buying Refurbished Electronics

Whether you are buying from the manufacturer or, from a trusted site, there are some things to keep in mind when buying refurbished electronics online. First, confirm the warranty. You’ll want to know how long you have to exchange something if it doesn’t work. Secondly, see what the return policy is, if there is one at all. This will help you determine if you need to do any rigorous tests on the device to make sure it works. As a rule of thumb, refurbished electronics carry a 90 day to 1 year warranty period during which time any problems will be covered by them for free.

Also, check to see if the device is factory refurbished or not. Plenty of businesses fix electronics for re-sale, but a factory certification means it has been tried and tested by the manufacturer. If you want a guarantee on quality, make sure it is factory refurbished.

In the event you are looking to buy a refurbished device from an online store, then check how easy it is to claim warranty and understand what is covered and what isn’t during the warranty period. This is important since they will certify the device according to their standards and the claim will also be handled by their store or authorised outlet.

Always purchase keeping the worst case scenario in mind. It may seem like a lot of trouble but don’t forget the savings!

Where to Buy Refurbished Electronics

If you’re in the market for refurbished consumer electronics, make sure you get them from these services.

Original Equipment Manufacturer

Often manufacturers will sell refurbished electronics on their website. The most notable of these is Apple, who completely replace the battery and outer shell, as well as offer a one year warranty. Plus buyers can save up to 30%. Many manufacturers offer similar deals on their websites. Dell, HP, and Sony are some major ones, just to name a few. If you want to get a trustworthy refurbished electronics, the manufacturer is usually the best place to start with. They will have limited options, though, which is why we sometimes end up looking for reputable sellers.

Great Shops & Online Stores to Buy Refurbished Electronics From

CeX

The CeX store is all over the UK and has a fairly decent presence in Australia, US, Mexico, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Netherland, Poland and India as well. Online capabilities, prices and in-store facilities vary by each country so be sure to call into the store to enquire about a product before making the trek. They carry everything from refurbished phones, gaming consoles, TV screens, laptops and photography equipment, to games, DVDs and BluRay. Also, if you’re looking for unlocked handsets or have physically damaged your carrier locked phone then they are ideal for replacement. It was by far my favourite hangout in the UK.  For items such as flash memory and external storage, it is better to buy here than brand new. CeX also has in-store credit which gives an additional 15-25% of the items value when selling. So they are also a great place to Trade-In your electronics, games and DVDs.

Gazelle

Gazelle is both a refurbished electronics seller and a Trade-In electronics specialising in iPhones, Tablets and Samsung Galaxy phones. A Gazelle certified product is inspected on 30 points from speaker quality to wifi signals. With each device, you have a 30 day return period which is unfortunate since a warranty to should go beyond 30 or 60 days esp with refurbished products. They run campaigns now and then so its always good to check them out if you’re looking to buy any of the above-mentioned devices.

JemJem.com

JemJem is another refurbished electronics seller, though they mostly specialise in Apple products. You’ll find some great deals on Macs, Macbooks, iPads, iPhones and some accessories. They also have a category dedicated to Beats.  You will find some other items as well. However, they would be new or simply marked clearance; not JemJem Certified Refurbished or Clearance – Refurbished. Based out of the US, they ship only within the US and for FREE. If you want to get your devices delivered outside the US (and avoid large customs fees on new items) choose a package forwarding service that fits your needs. With a great support staff, you can be sure to get your queries answered on time. They also run Weekly deals so you should check them out before purchasing elsewhere.

NewEgg

NewEgg sells everything under the sun, and this includes a variety of Refurbished electronics. They are also a Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher hence they have great deals in Windows Desktops & Laptops. They sell Gaming consoles, Cellphones, Tablets, Computer hardware and household electronics. Each refurbished device has its warranty specification and covered under different return policies. When you find the device you’re looking for, simply check the link for the item’s return policy and the specifications tab to see the warranty information.

Refurb.IO

RefurbIO provides services in US and Canada only. They too are a Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher which means that these electronics will carry a one-year warranty. They also only deal with Laptops and Desktops hence if you’re looking for variety and don’t want to be distracted by other products then this maybe for you. There is a $10 off Discount Code on all orders over $90 at the US store.

Buying refurbished electronics online is easy. You just have to know what to look for and where to buy from.

Save

Save