Refurbished phones and laptops can save you a package. 5 questions to ask before you buy

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Equipped devices such as phones and laptops are cheaper than buying new ones. Can you trust them?

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Buying a used phone or laptop can save you hundreds of dollars compared to buying expensive electronics. There are various ways to buy a used device, including from sites like Swappa or eBay. Although both sites have buyer protection policies to ensure you pay for what you paid for, we can suggest you go for a refurbished device instead.

Refurbished electronics follow a set of guidelines from the seller that can offer you standards and insurances, in addition to buying electronics used from the original owner. But can you trust a refurbished laptop or phone? What do you get, and what can you expect in terms of warranty, accessories and customer service?

There are some important questions to ask as you browse through a refurbished store, from Apple to Gazelle to Amazon. Here are the most important factors to consider.

What exactly is a refurbished device?

If you sell or exchange your old devices to a company like Gazelle, Best Buy or even your wireless service provider, it goes through an evaluation process. If it is a newer device and is in working condition, chances are it is going through a refurbishment process and will eventually be sold as a used or refurbished device.

But every business has a different approach to how it is refurbished and ensures that a phone or laptop will work. For example, Apple classifies all of its refurbished devices as ‘like new’, after each device has been cleaned, any faulty parts replaced and the device thoroughly tested. A refurbished iPhone ($ 900 by Boost Mobile) comes with a new battery and housing.

Amazon’s Renewed Refurbished Products Program follows a similar approach by inspecting, testing and repairing broken parts. Amazon guarantees that the battery has 80% capacity and warns that you may see scratches on the outside of the refurbished products.

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There are many refurbished options available.

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Is there a return policy for refurbished phones, laptops and other electronics?

Whether a device is brand new or refurbished, lemons happen. It is possible that a device may not turn on or operate as expected. Some companies like Gazelle and Amazon do not replace the housing of a device, so you get a phone or laptop with cosmetic damage. Gazelle does a great job of explaining what to expect when you buy a phone in reasonable condition, and even gives sample photos.

To be clear, the photos are not of the device you are going to buy, but serve as examples of what the different wear levels on devices that sell them look like. But what happens if you get a phone that has more damage (although it still works well) than you expected?

In most cases, you should be able to return a device that you are not happy with. I suggest that you review the questions or policies of the site, which are often linked at the bottom of the site, to find the return policy. If you find this difficult, a Google search containing the site’s name and return policy (for example, “Gazelle return policy”) will usually get you to the right place.

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Extensive warranties can be a good idea.

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What kind of warranty applies to refurbished appliances?

Just because a device is being repaired does not mean that it should have a warranty. Things happen, components stop working and if a business wants you to have confidence in your purchase, it should offer some kind of guarantee beyond the return period.

All of Apple’s refurbished products have a one-year standard warranty. Gazelle has a 30-day return policy that is also considered the warranty, but sells an extra year of protection with an extended warranty that also covers accidental damage. Prices start at $ 55, depending on the device. By comparison, AT&T wirelessly charges $ 8.99 per month for a similar service.

Amazon offers a 90% satisfaction guarantee during which you can return a new device for a refund.

As you can see, the warranties for used devices vary greatly. Take a few extra minutes to find out what a seller’s policy is before clicking the pay button.

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Does the phone work with your service provider?

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Will a refurbished phone work with my service provider?

Pay attention to the carrier’s restrictions when browsing refurbished phones. Refurbished websites like Apple, Amazon or Gazelle clearly state on which service provider the device is intended to be used, whether it is unlocked and can be used on any service provider.

This is an important step when buying a new or used phone. If you buy a Verizon-locked phone and want to use it on T-Mobile, you’re likely to run into problems. There is a possibility that you can call a service provider to unlock a phone for you, but you can save time and buy a phone that matches your service provider of choice.

Do the refurbished products come with accessories or do I buy them separately?

If a product list does not include everything that was included with your purchase, such as a charger or cable, I recommend that you contact the company or seller and ask what is included.

Apple sends everything you need to use the device. The most important of these is a charger. Just like Amazon, but the charger may not be the official charger that would come with the phone or laptop if it was a brand new purchase.

If you are comfortable with the idea of ​​buying a refurbished phone or laptop, remember that you can save even more money by selling your device to the companies that sell refurbished products. Can I give personal advice? Never buy or sell these seven used technological devices.

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