How to Put Refurbished Technologies to Good Use

Bringing Refurbished Electronics to Good Use

If you are looking for a great deal on electronics that are as good as new, then opting for a refurbished version of an electronic is a wise option.

A device that has been used or at least opened or showcased as a display product can be bought for a significant discount. Various manufacturers and retailers offer refurbished products such as laptops, smartphones, televisions, and other electronics returned and repaired until they are just like new. Finally, they put them on sale and offer a huge discount on these products.

According to a survey done by technology consulting giant Accenture, only a few refurbs – 5 percent to be precise are defective. In which the buyer hasn’t even touched a few. They might have been returned due to any mishandling issues during the shipment.

Kyle Wiens, CEO of tech repair site iFixit, believes that buying refurbished can be a smart move, even when you are not concerned about getting a deal. He adds every computer he ever bought has been a refurbished one.

He further explains that refurbished electronics are examined personally by technicians before being brought to the retail market, which generally doesn’t happen in a new product to be more reliable. Refurbs are also considered environmentally friendly since they’re less wasteful to repair and repackage existing products than manufacture a brand new product. Wiens says, “People have this fixation with new, and I don’t understand it,” Wiens says. “It’s a good buy. It’s better for everybody”.

GOOD USE OF REFURBISHED TECHNOLOGY

Price

The major advantage of opting for a refurbished product is its price. Bob Herman, co-founder, and president of IT Tropolis, says that he promotes refurbished technology to more consumers, helping them save money.

“I often give my customers the option of refurbished equipment versus new,” he said, “and approximately 75 percent of the time, customers will choose refurbished for the cost savings as long as they feel comfortable they’ll receive the same level of warranty support.”

Lifecycle

Due to varied speculation lot of us feel laptops and desktops won’t be usable for as long as a brand new product. Not necessarily; this has to be true always. Various other factors contribute to refurbished products lifecycle; few business owners perceive that revamping a system might double its overall lifespan. Brandon Livengood, the IT director for Avestra LLC, purchases used desktops and repairs them himself. Also, he expects a refurbished computer to last up to five years…

“I expect three to five years of use once the PCs have been refurbished,” he said. “We install a decently fast SSD drive. We install/upgrade the video card if the user specifically needs it.”

Environment

Another benefit of purchasing refurbished technology is that it simultaneously helps our environment. By opting to use refurbished electronics, you are doing your bit in controlling the amount of e-waste being generated. Taking these small but vital steps will play a major role in the future environment. Herman said that he and his customers enjoy the tiny impact they can have on the environment by refurbishing technology.

“I love providing refurbished equipment as I think it’s the environmentally-conscious choice, in addition to the savings that I can bring to my customers,”

Herman

GOOD PRACTICE

Buying from Manufacturer

Its manufacturer best knows a product, and hence going through them for purchasing a refurbished product is definitely a wise choice to make. No one is aware of the product you are interested in buying better than the company that manufactured them, which means the product has been analyzed and repaired by company experts.

Certified Technicians

It is believed that refurbished products meet stringent quality standards when certified by the original manufacturer. It is suggested to do your research before buying a refurbished product if it is not directly from the manufacturer. Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers (MARS), for example, is a bunch of certified IT professionals who have gone through extensive training in restoring and repairing PCs. If you are purchasing a different technological product, like network equipment, various other third-party companies buy, restore, and resell technology.

Warranty

No matter where you purchase a refurbished product, what is important is to get a warranty included. A standard refurbishment program has at least a 90-Day manufacturer warranty on the product. Other reputed ones have a full year. Apple, for example, offers a one-year limited warranty and a 14-day return policy. At the same time, Dell offers a standard, 100-day warranty with an option to extend the warranty up to one year by paying an additional $50. Companies that make you pay for an additional warranty for a refurbished product beyond the standard 90 days period show that they stand behind their refurbishment process.

Model Selection

It is always suggested to do your homework before purchasing any refurbished product, which will help you determine its reliability. As with any purchase, it is important to know what products and models are the most reliable and best performing in the present market.

“If a PC is known for its problems, I steer clear of it,” Livengood said. “An example would be the Dell OptiPlex 620 series. After a few years, the capacitors on the motherboard would swell, causing system failures. An HP Pro 6300, on the other hand, seems to hold up well with age; [they are] sturdy, basic machines. There are lemons and workhorses in every brand.”

With a little diligence, one can save a moderate amount of money yet buy a reliable model by purchasing a refurbished product. What are your personal thoughts and experiences with buying a refurbished technology? Kindly share them in the comments section below.

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