Black Friday & Beyond: How to Find Unbeatable Deals on Refurbished Devices 

Many families are struggling to make ends meet. When purchasing electronics, they may turn to refurbished items to save money. Doing so can lead to savings of hundreds, possibly thousands, of dollars. However, they need to ensure they get items that have been refurbished. Some sellers clean a product up, repackage it, and sell it. The consumer then receives an item that is not worth the price paid. How can this be avoided?  

What Does Refurbished Mean?  

When looking for Black Friday tech deals, a person may find an item the seller says was refurbished. Sadly, there is no standard definition that applies in this situation. It falls on the seller to clarify what has been done to the product, and the buyer must believe what they say. Many sellers claim to refurbish items when they lack the knowledge and skills to do so correctly. 

Consumers cannot know the quality of the product unless they have purchased from the seller in the past and had a good experience with it. That still does guarantee the item will work as intended, but it increases the odds. Fortunately, buyers have ways to protect themselves and get a good product at a decent price.  

Consumer Protection Organizations 

Consumers should look for products that have been certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or Responsible Recycling (R2). These organizations ensure the products these retailers sell as refurbished comply with industry standards. These resellers use brand-new parts to replace defective ones. Non-certified sellers often use second-hand parts to make a larger profit.  

Manufacturer-Refurbished Products 

Manufacturers may also refurbish their products and offer them to consumers at a discounted price. Consumers should review the manufacturer’s website to learn about the refurbishment process and whether the products come with any warranty or other protection when purchasing them.  

Warranties 

Many sellers today offer a warranty with refurbished items, so the seller knows they are protected if the item doesn’t work as expected. eBay allows users to sell items they state are refurbished, and the site offers buyers protection if they purchase one of these items. Certified Refurbished items on the auction website are protected for two years. Allstate provides this protection so consumers can feel confident the warranty will remain valid for two years.  

Certain manufacturers, such as Apple and Microsoft, warranty their refurbished items for one year when purchased from the manufacturer. Amazon and Best Buy, in contrast, only offer a 90-day warranty on refurbished products, with one exception. Amazon Renewed Premium products come with a one-year warranty.  

Credit Card Protection 

Credit card companies may also offer protection for consumers who use their cards when purchasing refurbished products. If the item doesn’t work, the consumer may dispute the charge. In addition, the company might extend the warranty on any product with preexisting protection.  

Return Policies 

Return policies vary by seller. Always look for refurbished products with a minimum one-month return policy. The item may work initially but break after two or three weeks of use, so an extended return period is helpful in these situations. Apple’s return period for refurbished products is only 14 days, while Amazon allows consumers to return items for 90 days.  

Consumers can find good deals on refurbished products if they know what to look for. Black Friday is an excellent time to look for these deals. Start making a list today so you won’t miss out on any good deals. They are out there if one knows where to look.