Consumerism is a constant driver in this shopping-oriented world. There are always new and better mobile phone models out there, enticing customers to upgrade and purchase the new model. However, many of these new phones are incredibly expensive, often outside the normal budget. And this is where a refurbished phone can come in useful.
Refurbished phones and technology are simply older models or used phones that have been put back on the market. They undergo rigorous checks to ensure complete functionality as well as all-round quality. These days, the refurbished market is on the rise, with more and more purchasing this type of item. Not only does it offer a more cost-effective solution, but also benefits the environment.
Key Considerations When Buying Refurbished Devices
However, while on the surface buying a refurbished device is a good idea, there is a lot to think about. There are various considerations to take into account. You really should not be buying the first item you see.
Where to buy
First, you need to look out for a trusted source or retailer. These days, there are a growing number of options, but it’s always a good idea to check out ratings on TrustPilot, and to see what people are saying about the devices they have actually received. Some sites like eBay, have a burgeoning market for refurbished items. And, it’s already well-known as a reputable source for second-hand goods. There are many different sellers on eBay which means checking the condition and veracity of the individual sellers paramount before you make a purchase. Not only that, but there is an extensive array of options available to you. With quality control assurance measures in place, you’re in the prime spot to get something worth your money. Other companies such as Dell and Apple sell refurbished products of their own manufacturing as well, making sure to offer high quality devices too.
Financial benefits
As part of choosing your phone, determine quickly which features and functions are important to you. While you can save money by purchasing an older device, it may not have what you need. That being said, with a refurbished model, it’s far easier, and more affordable, to buy one of the second-hand newer models. You can, of course, save some money by buying a device that’s in not as good condition aesthetically as other options. Most sites, eBay included, will offer various conditions such as poor, good, and excellent, with quality criteria available.
Alternatively, if you’re shopping on this renowned ecommerce, in the official website or in Discoup.com you can also find eBay coupons which further lower the cost. These types of discounts actually enable you to get better quality models or devices without overspending. When buying from reputable retailers, you can get a device that offers a truly high performance coupled with a premium price. Typically, you can find refurbished devices for around 15% to 20% cheaper than their brand-new counterpart. If you work on the assumption that there’s a 10% decrease in price for each year for that particular model, you can quickly determine what you should be paying.
Staying secure
Additionally, you should carefully consider the actual phone you want. While older models will be cheaper, it’s essential you consider any potential software upgrades that may be required down the line. Too outdated, and you will need to buy a new phone or device very quickly indeed. This is especially pertinent if you think the security updates won’t be available on older models. And, a warranty should be included as part of the price, otherwise you will potentially lose out very quickly indeed should something happen.
Saving the environment
Finally, in addition to all these things, purchasing a refurbished item is really beneficial on an ecological level. Purchasing refurbished items reduces the environmental impact by as much as 77% to 91%. This can see impressively high, but this is because there’s a massive amount of intermediate steps that no longer need to happen including materials, transport, and manufacturing. By choosing a refurbished item, e-waste is decreased and the demand for resource-intensive smartphone production is reduced.
All these factors combined make it very worthwhile searching for, and purchasing refurbished items. And once you start, it’s hard to go back.