Nabbing a sweet deal on an old piece of tech can feel great if you know what to watch out for. In today’s economy, people are learning to embrace the classic motto “reduce, reuse, recycle.” When it comes to shopping for technology, that means buying used or refurbished. However, doing that comes with risks that new products don’t normally pose. What’s the difference between used tech and refurbished tech? Refurbished technology get inspected, tested, repaired (when it’s needed) and graded before it goes anywhere near a customer, while used means someone owned it before you and it’s being sold as-is. There’s no guarantee it’s been checked, repaired, or comes with any warranty. Used and refurbished items differ in price as well. Used items tend to be cheaper than refurbished ones and much cheaper than new ones. Refurbished tech will sit nearer to the new product’s price. Another difference is who’s selling the tech: Used items often come from independent sellers who are trying to pass on specific items they don’t want. Refurbished items usually come from established companies that take the time to repair and certify the products before they’re resold. Here are some places you can buy used and refurbished tech:
THE BEST SITES TO BUY REFURBISHED TECH:
- • Back Market is the most popular site for refurbished tech. They have a massive catalog ranging from phones to computers to audio equipment. They also offer a competitive warranty policy.
- • Micro Center is one of the most reliable places to buy refurbished tech. Their repair teams are skilled and the customer support is top-notch.
- • Best Buy offers a wide selection of refurbished tech through their Geek Squad section.
- • Mac of All Trades is a great place to buy refurbished items if you’re a Mac lover. All items are inspected, tested and refurbished, including MacBooks, iMacs, Mac Minis, iPads and iPhones.
THE BEST SITES TO BUY USED TECH:
- • eBay is an online auction site that’s a great place to find used tech. eBay also has a broad buyer-protection policy if you wind up with a dud.
- • Facebook Marketplace is a community-based marketplace, but it’s also a common shop for scammers. Keep an eye out and remember that paying in cash means no buyer protections.
- • Mercari is a viral marketplace that offers deals on all sorts of items. They offer a unique buyer-protection policy that holds your payment until the item you bought is delivered and you give it a rating, or three days pass after delivery without a dispute.
