Buying a new phone or tablet can be expensive. A nice alternative is the refurbished market. You can sell second-hand items, which are then refurbished, checked and then resold.
Need a new smartphone? Buying a new one in the store is an expensive joke. And if they are included in a subscription, you pay even more, because these days that is a loan with interest. You can also choose to save money. By purchasing it from a ‘refurbished’ store. What does that mean?
What does ‘refurbished’ mean?
Refurbished is an English word. It means ‘Revised’. In the computer world it has long been a well-known word for products that are checked after use, repaired if necessary and then sold again. The products are given a second life, as it were, with a new owner.
Devices used to last a long time. Sometimes it took you 10-20 years with a stereo set. Nowadays – due to the rapid developments in the field of telephony and tablets in particular – it is normal for many people to buy a new, more modern product after 2 years. But there are also plenty of people who don’t necessarily have to have the latest of the latest. For them, a somewhat dated but still very good and functional second-hand product at a lower price is a good deal.
Both physical stores and online webshops are increasingly faced with more products that are returned and residual stock compared to the past. As a result, there are more and more companies that specialize in the recovery of goods that are no longer for sale (as new).
Where does all that beautiful stuff come from?
Worldwide, there are many millions of smartphones, tablets and laptops, such as iPhones, iPads and MacBooks that are produced and then purchased by consumers and businesses every year. There are now more and more companies that are specialized in buying and/or ‘refurbishing’ these second-hand goods. The residual stocks, returned products and business depreciated goods. These products are checked for damage, software, appearance and quality and then they are put back on the market at a lower price compared to the new price. Apple products in particular, which are often very expensive new and have a more skewed price/quality ratio compared to Android devices, are now within reach of people with a smaller wallet.
Top 5 refurbished retailers
Has your interest been aroused? Do you want to sell your device, and/or purchase a refurbished device? Then take a look at the following websites.
- Refurbished.nl
- GSMloket.nl
- Refurbished iPhone.Shop
- Mobieltekoop.nl
- Omolo.nl
Does it still look OK?
Not every device is equal to the others after that ‘refusbish’. Inside, technically, they may be similar products, but they may differ in appearance. The refurbished market has decided to divide the condition of refurbished items into 3 gradations. Often called A, B or C-grade and/or indicated with 3, 4 or 5 stars. This means that an A-grade looks like new, a B-grade is clearly used but in good condition, and a C-grade has significant traces of use such as damage, stains, cracks.
Technical control and packaging
Refurbished devices often come with a brand new battery. After the inspection, new parts are installed if necessary and after the technical inspection, all data from the previous user is also deleted. Finally he becomes equipped with the latest software. Refurbished products are often delivered in neutral packaging. You may not reuse the original packaging: that is even punishable. May only be used with new copies. The supplier does, however, include any accessories and a manual.
