With AI infrastructure demands continuing to push up memory prices, it’s tough to find good value for your tech purchases right now—though the Lifehacker team is always trying its best to help out—and buying used or refurbished can save you a substantial amount of money.
That’s the big advantage, but there are downsides: You’re not getting a brand new device, which means it might not look pristine, and it could come with issues or technical faults attached. The SSD inside a two-year-old laptop won’t be quite as speedy as one inside a new model, for example.
It’s something of a gamble, then, but you can make sure the odds are in your favor by knowing where to buy from and what to look for—and there are definitely used and refurbished items out there that are close to perfect in terms of looks and performance, so you’re getting big savings without any real trade-offs.
For the purposes of this article, “refurbished” means a device that’s been returned to the manufacturer for some reason, and then checked and cleared for resale, typically with a limited warranty attached. If something is “used,” it usually comes from a private seller, with fewer guarantees about future performance.
Why go used or refurbished?
Used or refurbished isn’t the route everyone should go down, and if you’ve got the budget, then buying new is probably best: You get an untouched, factory-fresh device, and plenty of cover if something is wrong with it (which will depend on what type of gadget it is and where you bought it from). With refurbished items, though, sometimes an item will have been returned just because it was opened or the box was damaged, or it was on display in a store—you’re essentially getting something that’s almost as good as brand new, for a lot less.
Opting for a used device means you can save even more, but the risks are greater—each deal is different, but you’re looking at everything from 10-year-old phones that people are about to throw away to nearly new laptops that were unwanted gifts. The range in terms of quality and reliability is a lot greater here.
The Apple refurbished store is one place to save money.
Credit: Lifehacker
The big reason to go used or refurbished is the amount of money you can save, especially if you’re not particularly worried about getting something in perfect condition, and extra especially if you know a lot about the particular type of tech you’re buying—which means you should be able to spot great deals better than most, and can do a few upgrades or repairs of your own once you’ve got your device.
There’s also the environmental angle: You’re picking up a device that might otherwise get thrown away, extending its lifespan and reducing e-waste. A lot of energy and resources go into manufacturing new devices, so if you’re buying used or refurbished on a regular basis, you’re contributing less to that.
Bear in mind that a lot of other people are saving money this way too, and the competition can be fierce when it comes to grabbing the best deals (there will also be those out there who are buying tech, repairing or polishing it, and selling it). Deciding to do this can be more stressful or more fun, depending on your perspective.
What to watch out for when you’re buying used tech
First and foremost, look who you’re buying from, and adjust your skepticism accordingly. There are refurbished items from big name manufacturers sold through official stores at one end of the spectrum, and used gadgets from someone you’ve never heard of, with zero seller ratings, at the other.
That’s not to say you can’t pick up a great bargain from a person with no selling history on a personal marketplace—but there’s much more of a risk of being ripped off in these scenarios. If you are buying from an individual, look at feedback left from other buyers, if there are any, and factor this into your buying decision.
When it comes to refurbished items, look carefully at the device’s ratings in terms of performance and damage, any warranty that’s being offered with the gadget, and what the returns policy is. Check what accessories (like a charger) are included, as otherwise you’ll need to buy these separately.
You can find a wide range of gadgets on eBay—but check the listings carefully.
Credit: Lifehacker
For used gadgets, try and get as much information as you can from the item listing. Ideally, you want to see a lot of pictures (from various angles) and a detailed specs list, but if there isn’t enough, don’t be afraid to ask: It’s particularly important to check on battery health and capacity, as this is one of the areas where older tech can be problematic.
What do you think so far?