One of the main reasons we focused on certified refurbished tech is confidence. Certified refurbished tech undergoes a more intensive repair and inspection process than returned, open-box and other used conditions. When shopping for certified refurbished products Russell recommends you:
Choose a reputable seller: Many marketplaces host third-party sellers with customer reviews you can read. Look for sellers with lots of positive, recent reviews.
Check the item’s condition: Most marketplaces sell items in different conditions ranging from fair to excellent, although the specific wording may vary. Read up on what these cosmetic conditions mean for each marketplace.
Check the age of the product: Old tech products, especially smartphones that rely on software updates, can have issues running current software and hardware, says Russell. This might lead to reduced longevity and more everyday issues over time.
Verify details like warranty and return policy: Both policies can be helpful if you need to return and exchange a refurbished product.
Inspect your item on arrival: When you receive your refurbished item, be sure to look it over thoroughly. If you find issues that were not mentioned in the listing, contact the seller as soon as possible, says Russell.
Shopping refurbished may be a little more complicated than buying new, but you can save money and help the environment. Remanufactured products save up to 98% of CO2 emission compared to equivalent new products, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a UK-based charity focused on promoting a zero-waste, circular economy. It makes sense: replacing the battery in a used phone is a lot less complicated than making a completely new phone.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on smartwatches, over ear headphones and more. For this piece, I spoke with a professional tech refurbisher and seller to better understand the process and online retailers available. I also own many used and refurbished tech products purchased from different marketplaces.
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