WHY BUY A REFURBISHED COMPUTER OVER SECOND HAND?

What’s the Difference?

Both used and refurbished computers have been previously owned and are now being resold. So why are they different?

Warranty

First and foremost If you’re buying a used computer, you are very unlikely to receive any kind of warranty. If it breaks down the moment you turn it on, you’re bang out of luck.

With a refurbished computer, the manufacturer or computer store will offer a warranty which means that if anything goes wrong, you’re covered. This is because they are confident that they have sold the refurbished computer in a good working condition.

Source

Unless you buy a used computer from friends or family, you are likely to know very little about the seller. You have no idea whether they are a genuine seller, or someone trying to make some money from a pile of junk. 

Most refurbished computers sell either directly from the manufacturer, or via reputable computer stores. You can feel much more confident that you are buying a good-quality product, and that you will be able to contact someone if anything goes wrong.

Support

When you buy a used computer, the seller’s part of the deal is over. You can’t ring them up and ask for help with a computer problem.

When you buy from a manufacturer or computer store, you should be able to access support if you have any problems. This is especially true if there are any hardware problems, which are covered by your warranty. It means you have more peace of mind when making your purchase.

Condition

The condition of a used computer depends completely on how well the previous owner looked after it.

They may have mistakenly dropped or scratched it, they may have worn down the keys or mouse-pad with overuse. When you buy a used computer, you are very likely to find signs of wear and tear, and there is always the chance there may be serious hardware issues.

A refurbished computer will have been thoroughly tested to find any potential problems. If there are any issues then technicians will make repairs, and it will undergo cleaning and repackaging. The condition of a refurbished computer is likely to be much better than the average used one.