4 Important Things to Do When Buying Refurbished Electronics

Not too long ago, the thought of buying refurbished electronics may have been frowned upon by some consumers. But over the past few years, refurbished electronics, especially smartphones, have grown to become more popular and widely accepted.

According to a report published by Transparency Market Research, by the year 2031, the global refurbished computers and laptops market is projected to reach a value of approximately US$ 8 billion. Additionally, the refurbished computers and laptops market is projected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 11% from 2021 to 2031.

In the simplest sense, refurbished devices present us with a cost-saving alternative — consumers can save on the cost of expensive electronics by buying refurbished and second-hand phones on the cheap.

This growing sector and rise in demand for refurbished devices, however, have to be viewed within the context of an increase in electronic waste. Consumers are slowly beginning to recognize the repercussions of their consumption and are turning to refurbished electronics to avoid sending yet another gadget to the landfill.

The thing is, at the end of the day, refurbished electronics are “old electronics made new.” These wallet- and environmentally-friendly gadgets had a life before they came into your hands, therefore, you should conduct proper research before adding any refurbished electronics to your cart.

Here’s a quick run-through of the things you should know when buying a piece of refurbished hardware. But before that, let’s address two important questions that you may have: What exactly is a refurbished device? And when should one not buy a refurbished device?

What exactly is refurbished?
A common misconception is that all refurbished electronics are faulty. The truth is, some devices are returned by consumers who simply changed their minds after their purchase. A pre-owned device could have been sold to a reseller when a consumer has decided to upgrade to a new one. It could also have been sent back due to a fault and has been fixed and ready for resale.

When should you not buy refurbished?
While it is great that you’re making a conscious decision to opt for a refurbished product, you should note that certain items should be avoided if they’re refurbished, such as:
- Hard or solid-state drives: A hard disk or a solid-state drive can never be returned to its original state. Therefore, for such devices, you’re better off getting a new one; and fortunately, they’re typically inexpensive.
- Printers: It may be difficult to know if a printer is in “brand-new” condition. While it may look like it is in perfect condition from the outside, ink and toner previously used in it may have worn down the printer’s interior, making it less of a bargain than originally assumed.
Now that we’ve gotten the nitty-gritty out of the way, let’s dive into the things to note when you do decide to buy a refurbished device.
Things to note when buying refurbished electronics

1. Look out for a warranty and return policy
Here’s a pro-tip: Never buy a product that is marketed as an “as is” product. For the uninitiated, the phrase “as is” is commonly used in warranty law to express the seller’s disclaimer of obligation and responsibility for any item sold. The customer who purchases an item “as is” accepts it in its current state and releases the seller from any liability.
Be sure to read the fine print and check that the product comes with a warranty and that you’re allowed to return the product (for free) should problems emerge after the purchase. At Eze, for example, our return policies are centered around you. We offer a simple 30-day return and replacement policy for electronics with cosmetic, grading, and functional defects.

2. Check the condition of the device
Because refurbished electronics differ in their conditions, you must check the condition of any device you opt to buy. This can be a tricky process because there isn’t a standard that sellers have to follow when describing refurbished devices. For example, “like new” could mean different things to different sellers.

A rule of thumb would be to look out for sellers with a clear and specific grading process. Take Eze Wholesale for example: Instead of vague terms like “like new” or “gently used,” Eze’s devices are measured against strict quality standards to deliver just what you ordered.
Each device on the platform is fully tested, data-wiped, sanitized, and individually bubble bagged with an IMEI/serial number. All functions of the device are also well-tested to ensure the correct grading (A1, A2, B1, B2, C) is assigned to it.

Additionally (and perhaps most importantly), each grade is accompanied by a clear description of the condition of the device that should not leave you with any questions or confusion so that you know exactly what you’re getting.

(For the full article, click here: https://medium.com/ezewholesale/4-important-things-to-note-when-buying-refurbished-electronics-4c0669035cc1)