Cell phones have become ubiquitous. There are very few people who haven’t joined the mobile revolution. Like all technology, they keep becoming more advanced at a rapid rate. There are people who stand in line and spend a ton of money to have the latest and greatest. One way to save money is to upgrade to a “trailing edge” device. This means that when the newest model comes out, you upgrade to the previous version. The prices on the older phone tend to drop when the new one comes out. A way to save even more money is to buy a refurbished phone. But is that a good idea?
Are Most People Happy With Their Refurbished Phones?
So, if you are thinking about buying, for example, a used refurbished iPhone 11, are you likely to be happy with that purchase? Consumer Reports conducted a survey in 2018 that showed that the majority of people who buy a refurbished phone are happy with it. Of the 3,211 people surveyed who had purchased a refurbished phone since the beginning of 2016, 82% reported being highly satisfied. The survey also found that 67% of used buyers had no complaints which compares favorably with the 69% of new buyers who have no complaints.
Be Careful What You Buy
When shopping for a refurbished phone it is important to know the details. You want to make sure you are getting a charger cord and many used phones still have their old batteries. Most don’t come with the original earbuds, which may or may not matter to you. Buy from either a phone manufacturer or a reputable vendor. You can look up reviews online. It’s also a good idea to buy phones that are “certified pre-owned“. Just as with cars, this ensures the phone has been refurbished to an industry standard and can be trusted as a good product.
Warranty
Don’t buy a used phone that doesn’t come with a warranty. Some of the better vendors also offer a protection plan. Also, check the return policy. If you have a problem, you want to know how much time you have to get your money back.
Upgrading cell phones is a part of owning technology. Not everyone can keep buying a new phone every year or two. Used refurbished phones can be a great way to upgrade and save money. Just be careful when shopping to choose a vendor you can trust and know exactly what you are getting.