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Modern electronics are awesome but can be really pricey. One of the options the budget-conscious consumer will consider is to purchase refurbished electronics, which cost less than their brand-new counterparts but still happen to deliver great performance. In this article, we will walk you through the things to know before buying refurbished electronics.

5 Things to know before buying Refurbished Electronics

. If you purchase a refurbished device from the wrong vendor, you may receive a faulty device that does not function properly and thus costs you a lot of money in the long run. Before you purchase that refurbished electronic product, here are know before buying refurbished electronics:

Is the Seller Reliable?

There are numerous online shopping tips, and one of them is to identify trustworthy sellers. For a start, it is crucial that you only purchase from reputable retailers. When looking at sellers, you should read the reviews on the site. The majority of websites use star rating systems. If a retailer has 1,000 reviews, but 800 of them are one-star, you should shop somewhere else. However, you should take your time to read the reviews. Check out the negative feedback to see if it is a constant issue. You may have problems if you see five-star reviews with the same complaint. You should also watch out for reviews that may seem suspicious. If you see reviews that raise red flags, it’s best to avoid them, even if the price is appealing.

What Does the Store Mean by ‘Refurbished’?

Different stores may have different interpretations of what refurbished means, resulting in confusion and scams. If a store sells refurbished devices, check to see if it specifies how a refurbished item is defined. Certain stores have a loose definition of refurbished and as a result, people will buy refurbished items that are not even refurbished.

What parts cannot be replaced?

Some of the parts in a refurbished device will be replaced with new ones, but this will only get you so far. A refurbished phone, for example, may have a new battery, ports, and display. The processor, on the other hand, cannot be replaced. This means that if you buy an older device, you’ll be stuck with an outdated processor that will continue to age. Not every part of the device will be brand new. Before you buy, you should know which parts can be replaced and whether your device will last long with the older parts.

Who Is Responsible for Refurbishing the Devices?

An item can be refurbished by different entities. As a result, the quality varies depending on who refurbishes it. You may occasionally come across items that have been refurbished by the original manufacturers (called factory refurbished). Most times, third-party companies refurbish devices and this is where the results will probably vary. When you see a seller refurbished device, you should be aware that the quality may not be as high as factory refurbished, though determining the difference in quality is nearly impossible without disassembling your newly refurbished device. In this case, you’re better off cross-referencing with another check, such as reviews.

Will I be protected if the device happens to go bad?

Because you are purchasing an old or used product, you must ensure that you are protected if the device fails. First, check to see if the device is covered by a warranty. Most major companies, including Samsung, Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy provide some kind of warranty on their refurbished devices. In addition, you should look into the return policy. If the seller does not have a return policy, it would be simple for them to sell you a broken device and have no obligation to replace it. A return policy can mean the difference between wasting and spending money.

That $600 Pixel 6 pro or $500 MacBook Air might seem tempting, but the price isn’t the only thing to consider when purchasing refurbished products. What’s more important is being able to spot scams that could lose you some amount of money.


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