Refurbished phones and laptops can save a lot. 5 questions to ask before buying

Buying a used phone or laptop can save you hundreds of dollars compared to buying expensive new electronics. There are several ways to buy a used device, including sites like Swappa or eBay. While both sites have buyer protection policies to make sure you get what you paid for, we can suggest a refurbished device.

Refurbished electronics follow a set of vendor guidelines that may offer some standards and warranties in addition to purchasing used electronics from the original owner. But can you trust a refurbished laptop or phone? What do you get and what should you expect in terms of warranty, accessories and customer support?

There are some important questions you should ask when browsing a refurbished store, from Apple to Gazelle and Amazon. Here are the main factors to consider.

What exactly is a refurbished device?

When you sell or exchange your old devices to a company like Gazelle, Best Buy or even your wireless carrier, it goes through an evaluation process. If it is a newer and working device, it is likely to undergo a refurbishment process and will be sold as a used or refurbished device.

But each company has a different approach to renewing and ensuring that a phone or laptop will continue to work. For example, Apple classifies all of its refurbished devices as “as new”, after each device is cleaned, all defective parts are replaced and the device is extensively tested. A refurbished iPhone ($ 900 on Boost Mobile) comes with a new battery and housing.

Amazon’s Refurbished program for refurbished products takes a similar approach, inspecting, testing and repairing broken parts. Amazon guarantees that the battery has 80% capacity and warns you that you may see some scratches on the outside of the refurbished products.

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

Whether a device is new or refurbished, lemons happen. It is possible that a device will not connect or work as expected. Some companies like Gazelle and Amazon do not replace the case of a device, so you will receive a phone or laptop with some cosmetic damage. Gazelle explains well what to expect when buying a phone in good condition and even provides 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 levels of wear are on the devices it sells. But what happens if you get a phone with more damage (although it still works well) than you expected?

In most cases, you can return a device that you are not satisfied with. I suggest you take a look at the FAQs or policies on the website, usually linked at the bottom of the website, to find the return policy. If you’re having trouble finding it, a Google search that includes the site name and the return policy (for example, “Gazelle’s Return Policy”) will usually take you to the right place.

What kind of warranty applies to refurbished devices?

Just because a device has been refurbished, it doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t come with a warranty. Things happen, components stop working and if a company wants you to feel confident in your purchase, it must offer some kind of guarantee beyond the return period.

All Apple refurbished products come with a standard one-year warranty. Gazelle has a 30-day return policy that is also considered a guarantee, but it sells an extra year of protection with an extended warranty that also covers accidental damage. Prices start at $ 55, depending on the device. For comparison, AT&T wireless charges $ 8.99 a month for a similar service.

Amazon offers a 90-satisfaction guarantee during which you can return a Renewed device for a refund.

As you can see, the warranties for used devices vary enormously. Take a few extra minutes to research a supplier’s policy before clicking the checkout button.

Will a refurbished phone work with my operator?

When browsing refurbished phones, pay close attention to the operator’s limitations. Refurbished sites such as Apple, Amazon or Gazelle clearly indicate which operator the device should be used on or whether it is unlocked and can be used on any operator.

This is an important step when buying a new or used phone. If you buy a locked phone for Verizon and want to use it on T-Mobile, you are likely to have problems. There is a possibility to call an operator to unlock a phone for you, but you can save time and buy a phone that works with the operator of your choice.

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

If a product list does not list everything that is included with your purchase, such as a charger or cable, I recommend contacting the company or seller and asking 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 were a new purchase.

If you’re 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 same companies that sell refurbished products. Can I offer some personal advice? Never buy or sell these seven used technology devices.