Your Guide to Buying Refurbs

Your guide to buying refurbishments

When we say "It still works", we are not just talking about electronic products that have passed a little for the first time or about those that have been successful in the market of gadgets with larger numbers at the end of their names. We are also talking about contemporary electronics that, for whatever reason, have been returned and refurbished for resale - and they (for the most part) work very well.

In fact, they "work" in quite a few ways. It works for the planet by reducing waste and works for your bank account, saving significant amounts of money compared to new products. But just because something is green and saves you something green doesn't mean it's completely pink - before you get into the wonderful world of refurbishments, it's worth knowing exactly what the benefits are and exactly what kind of purchases to look for.

Save the planet...

Although most smartphones weigh somewhere between 125 and 165 grams, the manufacturing process of these small dynamos has a huge impact on the environment. According to the Ethical Consumers Research Association, each phone produces about 16 kilograms of CO2 emissions during manufacture - that is, as much atmospheric waste as a kilogram of beef. And, as Chemical & Engineering News reports, only 17 of the 40 items used to make the average mobile phone are recovered even when the phone goes through a highly specialized recycling plant. Once out of the ultraportable market, the situation becomes downright shocking; The UN University estimates that a single desktop computer requires 48 kilograms of chemicals, 529 kilograms of fossil fuels and 1.7 tons of water to be manufactured.

So here's the simple math: when you buy a new electronic device, you buy all this environmental impact. When you buy a renovation, the environmental impact of your purchase is virtually nil compared to.

... and save your money

As significant as the impact on the environment is, it can often be a difficult concept to imagine. However, the effect of a purchase on your bank account is much more concrete.

Buying an iPhone 6s through Apple's certified refurbished program, for example, saves you 15-16% of the purchase price of a new phone - about $ 80 to $ 120, depending on capacity and storage options. Similarly, Nintendo's own online store sells a refurbished 2DS system from the company for $ 60, compared to the recommended price of $ 80 on a new console, which means a 25% savings.

Buy smart

When an electronics manufacturer refurbishes a product, the device is usually completely disassembled, thoroughly cleaned, repaired if necessary - a situation that surprisingly applies to only about 5% of refurbishments - and reassembled for resale, all under strict standards. quality control.

However, as a general rule, these strict standards are much more likely to be met by manufacturers than by retailers, making a smart choice to go through the company's official renovation program whenever possible.

When you browse refurbished electronics sold at retail stores - both online and in the real world - you will encounter several variables. Some items are rehabilitated by the original manufacturer, while others are sent to a third party. Also, you are absolutely not guaranteed a lower price because you are from a manufacturer, so it is worth doing research in this case. In particular, make sure that the retailer does not sell an older model under the banner of a newer model or that a new version of the product, which is not available, is available elsewhere at a competitive price. In terms of the reliability of retailers, Consumer Reports recommends Amazon, Best Buy and GameStop.

Above all, look for a solid warranty when shopping reconditioned - the Apple and Nintendo products mentioned above, just to name two, each come with a full year of manufacturer coverage. When the manufacturer is so confident in renovating them, it's a pretty good sign that you too can be trusted - and that trust can help you save the planet and save some money the next time you look at those new tech toys.