Gadgets

How and where to buy refurbished technology online

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It’s good news for our wallets and the environment in general that many electronic devices like phones and tablets now last longer than they used to. If you are considering purchasing a refurbished device, the gadget you get will likely have a significant amount of life left behind. There are no laws governing these terms, but refurbished or refurbished devices tend to be of a higher standard than simply “used.” At a minimum, refurbished technology must undergo cleaning and diagnostics, and some vendors also replace components such as batteries and displays. Once these devices are ready for sale, they should be in good working order, with only minor scratches indicating their history.

Not only do refurbished appliances save you a little money, but they have a significantly lower carbon footprint than most appliances Environmental impact It comes from manufacturing. It’s more efficient than recycling and helps with conservation Electronic waste Out of landfills. But there are better places to buy refurbished technology than others. We’ve outlined some recommendations below, as well as our tips on what to look for when you start shopping for refurbished equipment.

What to consider when purchasing refurbished devices

Refurbished vs. used

Refurbished is not the same as used. Used items tend to be sold “as is,” meaning you simply inherit whatever miles and quirks the device had when the previous owner said goodbye to it. It’s true that most refurbished items were previously owned, many of which are a result of the growing trend of trading in your old device when you upgrade. But others were not used at all, which is one of the Millions to yields Born every year. In either case, the refurbished item is properly tested to verify that it is in working order, along with cleaning, repairs and parts replacement as needed.

Since there are no government regulations on refurbished items, it is up to sellers to decide what steps they take to prepare the device for sale. It is up to the buyer to know what those steps are before making a decision. Hardware renewal operations apple, Boss, Microsoft And SamsungFor example, it includes cleaning, inspection, replacement of parts as needed, and shipping in a new box with originally supplied accessories. They also all offer a one-year warranty.

Guarantees and returns

A refurbished device should perform like its new counterpart, but the only way to ensure this is to make sure it comes with a warranty. All of the sites we recommend below include a warranty on the products they sell. If you see something labeled as refurbished, but it doesn’t include some sort of warranty as to its reliability – shop elsewhere.

A good returns policy will also allow you to return the item (preferably with the same free shipping as a new item) for any reason, including that you just changed your mind. This way, if your refurbished product doesn’t look as good as you thought, you can send it back without having to prove that anything is wrong with it.

Sewage

Most of the refurbished technology was used before it came back to the market. While refurbished items are being cleaned, you will still need to consider your comfort regarding sanitation issues when purchasing things like headphones and earbuds.

Laptop and smartphone on a round wooden table in a cozy interior design.

Polina Lebed via Getty Images

Where to buy refurbished technology

We recommend going directly to the manufacturer whenever possible, especially for tech items like smartphones and laptops. If you need a new MacBook, check out Apple’s refurbished inventory first; If you want a new Galaxy phone, contact Samsung before anyone else. Repairs will be handled using genuine spare parts and you are very likely to get properly de-coupled items from the original owner and all data wiped.

Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy are convenient options if you’re on a tight budget or if you’re looking for tools from a manufacturer that may not have their own refurbished outlet. Renewed markets e.g Decluttr And backmarket It can be useful if you’re looking for older, more specific items, or if price is the first factor in your purchase.

apple

They may offer less than they did before for additional trade-ins, however apple It still pulls a decent inventory of refurbished MacBooks, iPads, and other devices. Every refurbished part is inspected and repaired using genuine Apple parts, with refurbished iPhones and iPads receiving new batteries and casings. In addition to phones and tablets, Apple sells MacBooks, watches, refurbished Apple TVs, and accessories like the Apple Pencil. Everything ships in a new box along with any cables, accessories and operating systems that a new item might have. Items get the same one-year warranty and 14-day return period that Apple offers for new products as well.

The Apple Store has been revamped

Samsung

While they just kiss Any device As a form of trade, Samsung It regularly only offers refurbished smartphones on its site – you’ll have to look elsewhere for a refurbished Samsung tablet or smartwatch. However, a refurbished Galaxy phone can be sold for up to 30 percent off the standard price. The phones come with a new battery, are tested and repaired with Samsung parts and get new packaging, cables and the latest software. One-year warranties also come standard.

The store has been renovated at Samsung

Boss

On a given day, you’ll find between three and 30 On the company’s website, including speakers, headphones, amplifiers and packages. Savings range from 10% to 45%, and each product goes through a similar process to what Apple and Samsung did, with testing, repairs and cables in a new box. Bose also includes a free 90-day return policy and a one- or two-year warranty, whichever one the device gets if it’s new.

The store at Bose has been renovated

Sonos

Sonos Devices don’t often go on sale, which makes the brand’s refurbished program even more enticing. You’ll usually only find a few of the company’s refurbished speakers and amplifiers available at a time, so it’s worth checking the site regularly. Each refurbished device undergoes testing and repairs, ships in new boxes and includes all accessories and the same 45-day return policy and 1-year warranty as a new device. Additionally, in 2023, Sonos began donating a portion of annual refurbished sales as part of 1% for the planet.

The store at Sonos has been renovated

Microsoft

You’ll mostly find Surface tablets and laptops running . Renewed And Controllers have their own destinations. All refurbished Microsoft products are tested, repaired, cleaned and come in new packaging with the usual accessories plus a 30-day return policy, a 1-year warranty for Surface devices, and a 90-day warranty on controllers.

Microsoft Store has been revamped

Other retailers

Some small manufacturers such as Dyson, Vitamix, Nintendo And JBL They offer refurbished products, but for many other brands, you may need to head to a retailer.

Amazon

Amazon Renewal It’s different from Amazon Warehouse, which sells used items that have been tested and rated, but have not undergone any refurbishment. Items under the refurbished label have been professionally cleaned and inspected and come with replacement accessories as needed.

The refurbishment process is not always done by an in-house team, as Amazon often lists items sold by third-party refurbishers. The exception to this is Amazon devices like Kindles, Ring doorbells, and Echos, which are tested, shipped, and sold by Amazon. Find those items on Amazon Certified and Refurbished Device pageformerly called Kindle Refurbished.

The warranty on all refurbished items sold on the site only extends for 90 days, but this is a common warranty and returns policy, which includes returning the device simply because it wasn’t what you expected, regardless of whether there was something wrong with it.

There is a broader allowance for condition ratings with Amazon’s Refurbishment Program, allowing minor cosmetic blemishes for “Excellent” and “Excellent” ratings, along with visible marks and scratches at “Good” and “Acceptable” condition levels.

However, Amazon Renewed offers a wide range of products that you may not be able to get directly from the manufacturer, including kitchen equipment, tools, and gaming accessories.

The Amazon store has been revamped

Walmart

Like the Amazon program Walmart Take Back It uses third-party sellers and refurbishers and also offers a combined 90-day return and warranty period. Products are labeled to have no cosmetic defects when viewed from a distance of one foot, unless otherwise noted in the listing. Products include gadgets, tablets, kitchen appliances, televisions and video game consoles.

The Walmart store has been renovated

Goal

Unfortunately, the guarantees for Renewed Goal Program Varies by item. Depending on the listing, you’ll see warranties that extend for six months, one year, or none at all. However, all of the items we checked included a 15-30 day return window — although you’ll need to return the item to a Target store. Obviously, we don’t recommend purchasing any tech device (whether refurbished or not) without a warranty, but like Amazon and Walmart, Target’s program may provide a way to find deals on a wide range of technology rather than going through the manufacturer. Just be sure to check the warranty details for the device you want. You’ll find it in the Specifications drop-down menu in the About This Item section of the product page.

The store at Target has been renovated

Best buy

Best buy It combines open boxes, clearance and refurbished items under the Best Buy Outlet umbrella. They even operate a few brick and mortar businesses Outlet stores Which sells clearance, open box and returned items. However, most of the time, these items do not include items that have undergone a refurbishment process. Therefore, you will need to look at items labeled “Geek Squad Certified Refurbished” online. These are products that have been refurbished either by Best Buy’s own repair centers, by manufacturers or by third-party refurbishers. Hardware comes with a 90 day warranty a guaranteewhich covers defects, in addition to Best Buy’s standard 15-day return policy.

The store at Best Buy has been renovated

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