When it comes to acquiring a new device be it a phone, laptop or any electronic device, pricing is an issue that quite several individuals consider due to several factors such as job insecurity and low living standards.
This caused people to turn to refurbished choices, which are pre-owned devices that have been professionally restored and inspected to assure good operation. Other factors could be that the person or individual wants to judiciously manage the available funds
Some misconceptions refurbished devices are fake (this is not true), Refurbished devices are previously used, thoroughly inspected, repaired, tested and cleaned just like a new product. At the end of the refurbishing process, devices always turn out to be clean with little or no difference to new in the sight of the customer (the only difference could be a different or replacement charger/accessories)
This detailed guide will walk you through the process of purchasing refurbished phones, giving you vital insights and suggestions to help you make an informed decision. Learn about the benefits, hazards, and crucial aspects to consider when buying a reconditioned phone.
What are the various Refurbished Devices to Buy?
Refurbished devices exist in various internet-powered, electricity-powered electronic devices from phones (smartphones, android, apple), laptops (desktops, notebooks, personal computers), printers (inkjet, Deskjet, laser, thermal printers), tools, monitors, television (led, plasma, brilliant), home theatres, speakers, soundbars etc.
How does a device get refurbished?
A device gets refurbished for a variety of reasons, some of which could be cosmetic damage, malfunctioning parts or an upgrade to a more recent model. In whatever case portrayed here, it is important to note that the degree of refurbishing is in different classes based on the specialist involved and grades of refurbished devices
Classes of Specialists for Refurbished Devices to buy
The various class of specialists that can get a device refurbished are
The manufacturers: Based on the fact that a manufacturer produces a device, they are the first-hand group who receives a product when it is damaged (especially when it’s still under warranty). This is not restricted to a particular country, irrespective of race or nation. Manufacturers receive only faulty products under the warranty period and give specialists (who they have trained and certified) to repair them
In severe cases, customers are allowed to pick another product or ask to add some money especially when there is a strict government regulation that covers the rights of the citizens (who has duly followed the various terms and conditions). If the dropped devices for repair get back to working normally, they are then sold as refurbished in a variety of ways
Third-party stores: Owning to the evolution of business transactions done globally, manufacturers are not solely responsible for selling products. Third-party stores such as ecommerce or online marketplaces such as ebay, back market etc. and various offline wholesale stores (given licenses by the manufacturers to be dealers) in and out of the various parts of the country such as Spar, Slot etc.
These stores have certified specialists who receive devices (not under warranty), they thoroughly test, repair and clean devices for the sole purpose to resell as refurbished. The specialist in this case vary from store to store, they are mostly tagged based on the name of the store for example ebay refurbished, amazon renewed etc.
Local Specialist: These are random specialists working in isolation repairing devices on the street and in various marketplaces. They are the causal specialist surviving on the street, they could be referred to engineers who just got training about one device or the other
Their sole aim is to grow and work in partnership with third-party stores (as their number one priority is customer satisfaction which relates to getting devices refurbished according to specified grades)
These 3 groups of specialists are arranged in descending order as it pertains to giving the customer peace of mind
Categories (Grades) of Refurbished Devices to Buy
As a result of the various damages that could happen to a variety of devices coupled with the various degree of certification that engineers and specialists could get, devices refurbished are graded to determine appropriate prices and advise customers what to expect from their purchase for example: will it only have a few blemishes? etc
Four (4) different grades indicate what you are paying for which include
- Excellent or Grade A
- Very Good or Grade B
- Good or Grade C
- Fair or Grade D
Excellent or Grade A: This denotes a practically faultless device, which could look brand new, however, it had a former owner who just had recently got the device, removed the original packaging and used it for a brief time. This device due to its moderate use has all of its accessories intact with a history of software and security upgrades available. You can vet this with the receipt or time stamp of the device
Very Good or Grade B: This device has been relatively used more than the first, so expect some scratches here and there, but functionality has been restored to as near 100% as feasible.
Good or Grade C: This device has been used very well with dents and deeper scruffs as the common indicators of usage. These devices have been corrected for flaws in the standard refurbished method with the software reset to default settings.
Fair or Grade D: This type of device would have been severely damaged before it was fixed and refurbished. They always have a worn and scruffy appearance.
Another word used instead of Refurbished is Renewed, this word gives the devices a feeling that the parts or accessories has been changed to something functional. Its mostly used on Amazon marketplace.
5 Tips to Follow While Buying Refurbished Devices
Having considered the various refurbished devices, here is how to make an informed purchase decision which ensures a satisfactory experience:
- Research the Seller
Before purchasing a refurbished phone, ensure you check out the seller’s reputation. This can be done by diligently checking customer reviews (which inform new customers about past relationships with the seller)
It’s best to look out for the last 3 months, look for sellers who explain and give out detailed information about the device, positive feedback and a track record of providing quality devices
2. Check for Warranty
Before you buy, verify if the refurbished device comes with a warranty. A warranty can protect against potential issues that may arise after the purchase.
Read the warranty terms and conditions carefully to understand what is covered and the duration of the warranty.
3. Compare Prices
There are many stores which sell refurbished devices before you place an order. Kindly compare and contrast prices from different sellers to ensure you’re getting a fair deal.
A price difference can help increase your profit so therefore consider the condition of the device. Sometimes, slightly higher prices may be worth it for a device that has undergone a thorough refurbishing process and comes with a reliable warranty.
4. Read and revise Device information
A lot of things are written within the device information, check out the current status of the device from what to expect to accessories to get with the device.
Incases you are not clear with any information, you must ask questions from the seller. for example, asking for the phone IMEI number is important to check the carrier network or a clean ESN
Device information helps the customers in pointing out the most appropriate directions to follow from the product image (how the product looks like rather than a downloaded image from Google) to the brand, version and various details such as scratches, dents etc.
Consider Seller Policies
Take the time to understand the seller’s return and refund policies. In case you encounter any issues with the refurbished phone after the purchase, knowing the seller’s policies will help you navigate the process of returning or exchanging the device if needed.
In conclusion, following the instructions outlined in this guide. You can be guaranteed a successful order when you want to buy irrespective of your physical presence.
These tips and techniques have a role to play in the successful ordering of your refurbished device, you can be sure that what you will get is what you saw in the description (if you judiciously follow up this guide)
However, if you have any challenges or inquiries about how or what to do to get started, We are at your service, kindly comment below and we will get to you shortly
