Buying New vs. Buying Renewed - TekReplay

We understand that buying technology can be a big decision without the added stress of deciding whether you want to buy a brand new device or a refurbished one. Your first instinct might just be to buy new; it's convenient, you feel confident in the device, and it’s comfortable to purchase new.

But buying a brand new Macbook can run you $1200 or more and that can be a real strain on your wallet. However, you can find a refurbished Macbook in excellent condition for a fraction of the price. Plus, buying renewed often comes with extra benefits such as like-new conditions, warranties, and customer service and support.

Not only is buying renewed or refurbished more economical for your bank account but it’s also better for the environment. Electronics have always produced waste but in today’s rapidly changing world of technology, the quantity and speed of discarded electronics is increasing which is producing large amounts of electronic waste. When electronic waste is not disposed of properly or responsibly it raises concerns about air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, and information security.

Buying refurbished has more benefits than buying brand new but we understand if you’re still hesitant - we’re here to help! In order to choose renewed over new we recommend a few smart shopping tips:

1. Shopping from reputable sellers:

You should ensure that the company you’re purchasing your renewed device from has safeholds in place for testing and refurbishing their products and well as a customer service team who is there for you when you have questions (we have all those things at TekReplay.com, just saying). When you shop with us you can be confident that the company you’re buying from wants you to be happy with your new-to-you device.

2. What to buy:

Some renewed products are better deals than others. We definitely recommend always purchasing everyday electronics, like phones, laptops, tablets, and smart watches refurbished. Prices on a refurbished iPad and or MacBook Air will save you 15% to 30% compared to the new versions. And thanks to our excellent warranty on refurbished items, you give up nothing by choosing refurbished. If anything you’re saving and everyone loves saving.

3. What to look for:

When buying refurbished there is a little bit of extra terminology and information you should look for when shopping versus when buying new. Just to make sure you get the perfect product for your needs.

  • Condition - There are typically multiple conditions that refurbished products are sold under. We sort our products into three categories: Excellent, Very Good, and Good. It’s important to consider if the cosmetic condition of the device would be a deal breaker for you. Typically the lower the grade, the lower the price, however, if you’re looking for something close to new we recommend choosing the Excellent (A Grade) condition.
  • What’s included - Pay attention to which accessories your refurbished device comes with. We provide chargers with most of our purchases, however, some other places do not provide any accessories. We highly recommend reading all of the listing details to ensure which accessories are included or not. This is definitely something to keep note of when shopping refurbished.
  • Warranty and Return Policy - These two things are often overlooked when purchasing online. We highly recommend ensuring that your refurbished device comes with a warranty and confirming the details of the return policy. When you purchase directly from TekReplay.com we provide a 1-Year warranty that covers manufacturer defects, which means any issue with your device that we didn’t catch during our testing. We also provide a 30 day return for refund. If something goes wrong we’ve got your back. Find out more about our warranty and refund policy on our website! Always make sure you’re double checking this information when you purchase online, it will save you in the long run, trust us.

So what’s the final verdict on buying new vs. refurbished technology? The benefits outweigh the negatives when it comes to buying refurbished. As long as you take the proper care to buy from a trusted seller and to research the product, you can get a device that works like new for a fraction of the cost.

We truly believe that if you’re looking for a like-new product without the high cost to your wallet, buying refurbished is the way to go. You’ll get an excellent device with warranties and the benefit of helping the environment, all without a blow to your savings. As long as you’re shopping smart and with a seller who cares about you (we know a guy, wink wink) you’ll never go back to buying new again. 

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