Don't be confused into thinking that refurbished laptops are second-hand machines that have been used for a couple of years and are no longer wanted by their owner. Instead, they are a laptop which has been sent back to the manufacturer because the consumer changed their mind about the purchase and returned it within 90 days. Or the laptop was returned because there was a minor fault such as a dented exterior, scratched screen or missing key. The manufacturer simply inspects the machine, tests for quality and repackages and sells it at a much cheaper price, making a refurbished laptop one of the best selling techno toys available to consumers.
Advantages of Buying a Refurbished Laptop
The best thing about a refurbished laptop is the price, affording a branded, quality computer that is one of the latest models at a cut retail price with guaranteed high standards of performance. Very often manufacturers add extra customizations meaning you get a machine with extra add-ons which were not available on the original model.
Most sellers offer a warranty, often up to a year, which can be extended up to three years for an extra fee. So consumers can get their hands on the latest, most fashionable laptop whilst being guaranteed standards of performance and reliability. Sounds too good to be true? Well there are a number of considerations to bear in mind when buying a refurbished laptop.
Buying tips:
What is the reputation of the company selling the refurbished laptop? Very often you can get a refurbished model direct from one of the top manufacturers, such as Dell, HP or Sony. Or if you are buying from an online seller or a store, check their reliability. You need to make sure you are getting a genuine refurbished model rather than a second-hand one. Things to look out for when assessing the company are feedback from other customers, payment method and listen to your instincts - if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is!
Features of the laptop: one of the major drawbacks of a refurbished laptop is that you cannot customize it. Therefore it's important to make sure you don't simply buy on price and make sure the machine suits your needs.
Do your research: check out the price of a new model direct from the manufacturer - are the savings significant enough to buy a refurbished model? Are you saving a few dollars to compromise on the quality of the warranty offered?
Read the warranty: check that the warranty is either a manufacturer's warranty or if it is from the seller what it actually covers. Try calling their customer support number to check how responsive they are.
Returns: you typically have less time to return a refurbished model than a new one - usually around 15 days.
Checkout out refurbished laptops and save money today!
