Before you buy refurbished gadgets, here are some things you need to know

Many people are aware that buying a used tech product will cost you less than buying one new. This gives the device a second life, rather than having to be recycled. Even though there is a high demand isn’t as high for gadgetsAs it was during the peak of the pandemics, buying refurbished products can sometimes be a smart way to find new or difficult-to-find items at a lower cost. If you’re gifting tech for the holidays (and perhaps you want to avoid the Black Friday and Cyber Monday rush), it’s not a bad idea to see what kinds of stuff you can find refurbished across the web.

Those are all good things — yet “refurbished” is still a loaded word for a lot of people. A new product is one that has not been used before. But, buying a refurbished product can be risky, even though it is likely to be significantly cheaper.

If the product has been repaired, it is likely that it was broken or damaged enough to require repair. It could also mean that whoever bought it simply decided they didn’t want it and returned it to the store. Although the definition of a “refurbished product” varies from seller to seller, it is possible to be less concerned if there are US-based sellers. There are laws to prevent the sale of tech that has been used previously.. We’ve seen it in action, too. 2019 New York City sued T-MobileIt claimed that it deceived customers by selling them used phones to customers who paid for new phones.

However, buying a refurbished product raises many questions. Was the original manufacturer responsible for refurbishing the product or did a third-party company do it? Is the product in a like new condition or does it still look worn when you get it? Did it get professionally cleaned and sanitized? Is it covered by a warranty? Who will pay for it if it fails?

It’s easy to see why a lot of people might prefer to just pay more for something new. However, it’s possible to both save money and not get swindled when buying refurbished products. Below, we’ve laid out some tips that you can follow when buying refurbished tech. None of this is fail-proof, but it will make the process a lot safer — and you can end up with some great devices at lower prices.

In general, if you purchase a refurbished product from its original manufacturer, it’s far less of a gamble than buying from a third-party retailer. The manufacturer is likely to have higher standards for refreshing and repackaging the product, and — crucially — should have access to authentic materials and components. These first-party refurbished products are very rare and often sell out quickly.

However, there are companies that specialize in refurbishing products and can do a fine job. You’ll just need to be extra vigilant, ask the right questions, and make sure all of your questions get answered. In other words, if you’re buying a refurbished product, it helps to have criteria. Once you get used to looking at refurbished tech, this will become second nature. These are some questions you can ask:

• Is it in good condition? Is it in an almost new condition or is it slightly used?
• Do you have all the original documentation and accessories?
• Which warranty is it and who provides it?

The answers to those questions aren’t necessarily obvious. Sometimes the product might have visible damage, be in a different container, or not come with a 6-month warranty. That’s alright, so long as you know in advance of buying it. In fact, you can often use this info to your advantage to save some money, as resellers may sometimes lower the cost if the product isn’t in perfect condition. You’ll just have to decide what you’re willing to settle for.

Sometimes products will be listed as “open-box.” This term can mean something different depending on the retailer, but most use it to mean that the product was opened by a customer who bought it, then it was returned to the store in its original box with all of its accessories. In other words, it didn’t need to be refurbished because the assumption is that it either wasn’t used at all or was only used once and then repackaged. Generally, it’s safe to assume that an open-box product will be in good condition, though it never hurts to ask for clarification or seek the info somewhere on the webpage.

Ultimately, that’s your call to make. Some staffers at The VergeRefurbishing headphones, particularly earbuds, can make you sour. I think it’s natural to have that reaction, considering how intimately you might use a product like that. Although many companies claim that they clean refurbished products thoroughly before reselling them, some people feel that something that has been used in that manner is not always clean.

My opinion is that it is important to ensure that your warranty covers you in the event of the product’s failure. You should also ensure that the product you receive arrives in a clean, sealed package.

Updated November 1, 2022, 12:40 ETThis article was published originally on May 15, 2020. This article was updated to give proper context to shoppers in advance of the holiday season 2022.