Pre-Owned vs. Refurbished Devices: Which is Better?

Refurbished Devices

When it comes to buying a new mobile phone, tablet, or other tech devices, pre-owned and refurbished gadgets can give you a great deal of value and help you to get your hands on those gadgets at a fraction of the price. There has been a long-standing debate about the benefits of each of these options and which can offer you the best in terms of quality and value for money. Whether you are looking for refurbished iPhones or pre-owned Samsung tablets, here is the break down as to which of the two options is better.

Refurbished Items

Refurbished items more often than not have been previously used before they are returned to the manufacturer because they are faulty, or as part of a return policy which the company has offered. Once these devices are returned to the manufacturer they have a diagnostics checked carried out to identify any issues with the device, and then repairs are carried out. The item is cleaned inside and out and then the product is repackaged and sold off at a lower price. What you are essentially getting when you buy a refurbished device is a used item that is as close to new as you can get. To inspire people to buy a refurbished product there is often a warranty attached, to give you peace of mind. There are 2 types of refurbished devices, seller refurbished and manufacturer refurbished. When the item has been refurbed by a private seller, it may be that they have used parts that the manufacturer does not use, which can affect the quality of the device.

Pre-Owned Items

Pre-owned items are sold privately by people who no longer have a need for the device, perhaps because they can no longer afford it or because they have upgraded it. When buying these products you can expect to see some evidence of wear, perhaps some surface markings and you are also unlikely to find the newest devices, given the nature of when people decide to get rid of such items. Used devices can be bought at a very low cost if you are prepared to look hard enough, as many people simply want to get a little bit of money back on their old gadget, rather than looking to turn a profit. Pre-owned is usually an indication that the device is in good condition, whereas ‘used’ is referred to products that have some bigger damage and evidence of use.

So Which is Best?

In terms of which is the best choice for you, it really depends on what exactly you are looking for, and how much you are prepared to spend. Refurbished items that have been completed by the manufacturer will always provide you with the best quality device, and the additional warranty ensures that you are covered if anything goes wrong. Pre-owned is a cheaper option that will provide you with excellent value. The closest to new that you can find will be refurbished but don’t let that sway you from looking for a cheaper, pre-owned option, which can also deliver a device in good condition.

The choice comes down to how much you wish to spend, what protection you are looking for, and the standard of the device which you would like.

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