Tariff-Free Shopping: 10 Things to Know Before Buying Refurbished Electronics

There's a simple reason to buy refurbished tech instead of a brand-new device: to save money. And, depending on how the tariff situation plays out, new electronics could get very expensive very quickly.

As a bonus, if you go for refurbished products, they most likely won't be subject to shipping delays because, for the most part, they're already in the US. Finally, it's nice to avoid sending another gadget to the landfill.

The problem is that refurbished products had a life before you. Maybe it was a short existence with a careful original owner, but maybe not. What you do know is that the product was sent back, and it was given an overhaul to make it workable again—or at least checked to make sure it operated correctly.

That all happened under the original product warranty—a warranty you may not inherit. You might also have to forego the device's original accessories and deal with physical imperfections.

Here's a quick rundown of what you should know before you click the buy button on a renewed or revamped piece of hardware. If you can't get these questions answered to your satisfaction, stick with purchasing brand-new products, if possible (and affordable).

1. Is It a Refurb or Open-Box Return?

A typical open-box product was purchased and opened but returned before use. Maybe the buyer or recipient decided they didn't want it, or perhaps the packaging was damaged, so it was sent back unused as a precaution.

I'd argue that to be a true refurb, a device should require some kind of repair, cleaning, or sprucing up. Legally, though, there's no actual definition of "refurbished.” It can signify whatever a vendor or seller wants it to mean. You may also see terms like "pre-owned" and "reconditioned," which are synonyms—until they're not. All returned, resold products tend to be lumped together, no matter the condition.

Thankfully, US laws prevent companies from selling returned products as though they're brand-new. That's beneficial to you since the price should drop once the refurbished label is on a product. Ask the seller about a product’s origin and hope for an open-box product; you may not be the first owner, but you could be the first user.

2. Who Did the Refurbishing?

Not all restorations are alike. It's possible a third party did the work and is reselling the product. Sticking with the original company handling the work is the smarter move. It will have the right packaging and parts to make the product as close to new as possible. Look for "factory-certified" or similar nomenclature.

That said, you can see real savings from a third-party refurbishment. However, some describe this arena as the Wild West, as there's no way to determine a product's quality until you've already bought it. Buyer beware!

3. Does It Come With All the Stuff?

Opening an iPhone box and not finding a charger is a sad experience (especially if the item is brand-new, but that's a different problem).

Refurbished products often lack the accessories included with a new purchase. That's another reason to try to find refurbs offered by the manufacturer; you're more likely to get all the parts. You might also get the product in something close to the original packaging, if that's important to you.

4. Does the Product Still Have a Warranty?

Don't buy any product marked "as-is," because that removes any implied warranty the product might carry. The buyer risks getting hardware that may not even work properly. Just because a device can turn on doesn't mean it can go online, get a signal, etc.

By law, used products in many states have an implied warranty. A device has to be able to do what it was designed to do, even if sold used. A phone has to make calls (phones still do that, so I'm told). A laptop must boot up and connect to the internet. A webcam had better make you look good in that Zoom meeting.

Your best bet is to ask the seller whether a warranty or guarantee exists. It's more likely if the original manufacturer refurbed the device. Without a warranty, the price discount may not be worth the risk.

Source: PCMAG | https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/10-things-to-know-before-you-buy-refurbished-electronics