When you hear the word “refurbished,” you might think of a product that is used up, old, and possibly wearing down. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. While refurbished electronics have been owned by someone else, they are very often lightly used, if used at all.
Refurbished electronics tend to be products that were returned after the purchaser didn’t like something about them. It could be anything, from the shape of the item to how well it functions with their other electronics. If a defect is the reason for the return, then the seller or manufacturer repairs the defect to re-sell it. Because of this, refurbished electronics are often as good as new, and a perfect option if you are looking for great products at a reasonable price. Here are the top benefits of buying refurbished electronics.
The Price
The price of refurbished electronics is probably the number one reason why they are great options. You can expect significant savings for these products compared to buying them brand new. Some mobile phones can cost as much as 50% less, while computers and laptops will often have 15-30% savings. Anyone on a budget can find themselves keeping up with the Joneses, and nobody would be the wiser.
Quality-Tested
Unlike with buying a used car, where there may be worn down parts that have significant miles on them, refurbished electronics are lightly used. Plus, any defective or damaged parts have been replaced. Plus, if you purchase through a reputable seller or the manufacturer, it will have been tested for performance. In fact, you could end up with an item that is just as good as a brand new one or better at a fraction of the cost. While refurbished products will not have warranties as long as brand new ones, you may even be able to get a short one year warranty on some products.
Environmental Impact
Let’s face it, climate change and other environmental hazards are on the minds of most people these days. There’s a good reason for this. The rise in the use of electronics is a big part of this. Many items, such as phones and computers use large amounts of plastic that find their way into landfills all over the world. By purchasing refurbished products, whether it’s something small like an iPhone X or large like a personal computer, you can limit what goes to waste. Every little bit helps protect the world around us to leave in better shape for the next generation.
Keep Using Products You Like
Have you ever used an electronic product you like, and when it comes time to get a new one, nothing works just like it? Even though technology is constantly evolving, sometimes using a tried and true product for you makes your life simpler. However, electronics companies want to keep people buying new and better things all the time, and older products get removed from circulation. By shopping for refurbished goods you have more of a chance of finding that perfect product that you are comfortable and does the job just fine for you.
Confidence In Performance
You might be concerned that a refurbished product is not as reliable as a brand new one. However, you could make the case that they are in fact more reliable. That’s because when you buy brand new, it might turn out that there is a defect or an aspect of that product that is not ideal. The reviews might end up being poor, and it may not perform as well as everyone expected. However, you tend to buy refurbished products a little after they’ve been on the market for a while. You will have time to read all of the reviews after widespread use, so you’ll have a good idea of how well they will function.
Nobody Will Know the Difference
It’s an unfortunate truth that much of the world is worried about appearances. Using an older or cheaper phone may make you feel less than others. However, when you buy refurbished products, nobody will know that it’s been owned before you purchased it. You will look like you got the hottest new thing at the same time as everyone else, when in reality you were smarter and waited until you could get a better price and take advantage of all of the benefits we’ve already listed.
Cons of Buying Refurbished
There are no real cons of buying refurbished, as long as you are dealing with a reputable seller. Refurbished products from reputable sellers have been cleaned up, repaired, and made like new before being put back on the market. Some might have shorter warranty periods, but you may even be able to get periods that are longer than for brand new.
Don’t make the mistake of turning your nose up when you see “refurbished” on a product. By buying refurbished electronics, you can take advantage of all of the benefits that come with buying brand new at a lower price and without any of the drawbacks. Buying refurbished electronics is a great option if you are in the market to upgrade.
