Deciding Whether or Not a Refurbished Smartphone Is In Your Best Interest
Written by: Omar Amanat
Summary: Smartphones are all the rage today. But, if you want a deep discount, you could consider buying a refurbished phone as an alternate investment.
The concept of purchasing used or refurbished cell phones can either be a match made in heaven or fill you with the unfulfilling feeling of not having a brand new smartphone in your hand. So, is purchasing a “revived” smartphone actually worth it? Here are some opinions that will help you lean towards buying or passing on a refurbished model.
The Right Time to Buy a Refurbished Cell Phone
As you may already know, refurbished phones are obviously sold at a discounted rate. A used cell phone will almost always be cheaper than a new cell phone. If it’s not, well, you’re being scammed.
Remember, in the world of consumer electronics, you get what you pay for. If paying for something that someone else already used and then returned, a second-hand phone will come with a relatively steep price drop.
Another reason why a refurbished phone might right for you is the eco-friendly nature of making this decision. And, you can never go wrong when it comes to karma points.
Another particular reason you might want to invest in a refurbished phone is when your old model crashes and dies. Sure, it may be out of style, but it’s the model that you’ve learned to love and created a special bond over time. And, purchasing a new one would just sever the relationship you had with that specific model.
When Buying Refurbished Phones Goes Wrong
If you’re the type of individual that upgrades to the newest model every year or so to reap the benefits of the newest features, buying a refurbished phone may not be in your best interest. Even if your purchase feels relatively new, it may not be fulfilling enough for you to be satisfied with your purchase. And, there’s nothing like going into a store and unboxing a “sterile” smartphone straight out of the box.
Another reason consumers tend to look past refurbished phones is that they don’t care to afford taking a quality risk. Refurbished phones are often returned to the manufacturer within 30 days of use because someone changed their mind or had problems with an all-out device malfunction. It’s essentially like a game of roulette. You could end up with a perfectly new phone or a model that’s ready to crash at any moment in time. You don’t get to choose which refurbished phone you get after all.
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