Contract phone purchases are still popular because they allow consumers to avoid paying a large upfront fee for a new phone. Even so, it doesn’t always represent a good value: the total amount you’ll spend over the course of 24 months is frequently greater than if you’d purchased the phone outright and gotten the best SIM-only price.
As a result of this, not everyone can afford to buy a new phone, and there is no contract option for a tablet.
Buying pre-owned technology from sites like eBay, Gumtree, and others is a no-brainer. You might save a lot of money if you find a highly-rated vendor who is selling the product you desire in excellent condition.
Refurbished devices, on the other hand, are an alternative.
Customers increasingly expect environmentally friendly products as well as lower prices from merchants and producers.
The reason behind this is that Amazon, Apple, phone stores, and other general electronics retailers are increasingly selling reconditioned devices.
However, what does “refurbished” mean?
We’ll go over all you need to know here so you can make an educated choice when it’s time to move forward.
Difference between refurbished and used devices
In the classical sense, refurbishing anything implies sprucing it up to make it look better and, if necessary, function better.
In the computer world, refurbished can signify different things depending on where you buy it from.
A pre-owned, previously used gadget that has been thoroughly inspected, cleaned, had any data from the previous owner erased, rated according to its condition, and packaged with a charger and USB cable before being put on the market might be considered a “refurbished” item.
Physical cleaning is the only thing that’s been done in terms of renovations.
Although some merchants and manufacturers do refurbish phones and other devices, this is not always the case. In certain cases, they’ll even change the screen and casing so that you can’t tell the difference between an old phone and a brand new one. Even while both Apple and Samsung sell reconditioned phones, the prices of these units can be high when compared to the costs of ‘graded’ gadgets. Aznu, for example, is an independent firm that refurbishes cell phones (currently just Samsung and iPhones).
When you buy refurbished, you should have a warranty. This is the fundamental distinction between refurbished and used devices. All of the above-mentioned retailers provide a 12-month guarantee, so you’re covered if whatever you buy turns out to be defective.
A private seller on ebay or Craigslist will charge you less for the same gadget, but buying privately means you’ll be on your own if the phone has difficulties within a few weeks. If you purchased the item from eBay using PayPal, you have some protection, but not if you purchased it on Gumtree or similar sites.
The expense of providing a guarantee and performing any necessary cleaning and repairs means that refurbished devices tend to be more expensive than used ones. Prices vary depending on the condition of the gadget, thus flawless devices will cost more than those with cosmetic flaws.
Refurbished or used: what’s a better deal?
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Buying a reconditioned Apple product is a great alternative if you want a new item at an affordable price. The savings aren’t huge, but if you were planning to buy an iPhone, iPad, or Mac anyway, you can save a little money. It’s important to keep in mind that the gadgets are usually from the past generation, rather than current versions.
A wider selection of gadgets are eligible for Amazon’s Renewed program, which can save you more money overall, but the devices aren’t returned to ‘as new’ condition like they are for Apple’s program. However, they are covered by a warranty and have been thoroughly tested to assure their functionality.
Buying from private sellers on sites like eBay, Craigslist, and the like will always save you the most money, but you’ll also take on the most danger, so buyer beware.
New gadgets, too, might benefit from deals and discounts. Also, check what’s on sale right now with our roundup of the greatest tech discounts.
