Browsing through the Amazon catalog or in other stores, it is very possible that you have come across the term “reconditioned mobile phones”. But what does it mean? Perhaps you already know that these are second-hand terminals or that you know that they are not totally new, although it is very possible that you have doubts. Keep reading so that we can solve them all and so you can decide if your next mobile will be one of these refurbished terminals.
In these times, having the opportunity to save on the purchase of a mobile is not something that is a bad plan. This is where refurbished mobile phones come into play, devices that are increasingly having a greater presence in online stores and that can leave very favorable feelings among those who purchase them. What do you need to know before buying your first refurbished mobile?
What are they?
A refurbished mobile is a terminal that is not new and that has undergone a conditioning process (although it sounds redundant) so that it can be put up for sale with the best performance and the assurance that it will work without any kind of problem.
But this does not mean that the mobile was originally damaged or that something was not working well. Although there are refurbished units that did have problems before, many others have simply undergone this process because they were no longer new. And there are many reasons for this, such as that they were second-hand or that they were mobile phones that had been exposed. Another type of cases are those terminals that are used in events and that later, of course, can no longer be put up for sale as new units.
As you might imagine, not all phones that can end up in the hands of a refurbishing team end up making the cut. They must be in good initial condition and pass a series of controls to justify that they are later marketed as reconditioned. This helps to maintain the reliability of this type of mobile.
What to take into account?
In the following points we explain the characteristics and aspects that you should pay attention to before making a purchase decision. It is important that you think about it well and that you weigh all the details that we mentioned so that you know that you will enjoy the highest level of satisfaction possible.
The store
As you can imagine, not all businesses transmit the same confidence. If when you buy new mobile phones there may be stores where you do not risk buying an expensive device, when it comes to refurbished the doubts are still higher. Therefore, you must choose the store where you will make the purchase very carefully.
We prefer to risk as little as possible and, when we talk about refurbished, we simply opt for Amazon and the operators themselves. Companies like Movistar have their own catalog of reconditioned mobiles with which you can save considerable money. You can trust both Amazon and the operators, since they have their own associated teams that are dedicated to reconditioning the terminals. This way you will know that each of the devices will always be in good condition and that the promises made to you in terms of performance will be fulfilled. In addition, it is also something positive because buying it this way you will have better support and guarantee to resolve any questions or incidents that you may encounter.
The state of the mobile
Each store where you find refurbished mobiles will have its own way of assessing the condition of the device. In general, clear indications are used whose text will help you understand if the mobile is better or worse and even if there is any detail that you should be aware of. In some cases, letters are used to indicate the degree of quality of the device, although it is not always something that happens in Spain.
What can we find within this state context? We could define the state groups in a way like this:
- Practically new: it will be a reconditioned mobile in which there is no difference with respect to a unit completely out of the factory. Perhaps it is a terminal that someone has returned a few days after buying it and that, for logical reasons, cannot be sold again as new.
- Good condition: it shows that it has been used, but there is nothing that is in poor condition. For example, it could have a scratch on the casing or that it is noticeable at first glance that it does not shine as if it had just been released.
- Normal state: there could be some more visible marks on the casing or even on the screen if it has not been a sufficient reason to change it for a new one. There may also be a situation that the battery does not work at full capacity or that it has a defect in terms of operation.
Beyond this, refurbished mobile phones that have a lower condition than these are not usually put up for sale, at least in trusted stores. When the device has suffered more problems or the relevant repairs have not been made, it is defined as second-hand and not as a refurbished terminal. For this reason, it is a purchasing practice that is becoming more and more popular, since it transmits confidence and helps us to save.
The presentation
This is something you have to know: refurbished mobiles are not usually sent in their original boxes. Although it can happen, it is not a norm. So if you buy a refurbished iPhone, chances are you’ll receive it neatly packaged in a generic box with all the pertinent components and cables, but minus the Apple paraphernalia. If you consider that the box and the opening experience is something that matters a lot to you, a refurbished terminal may not be your best option.
On the other hand, if you have to include a connection cable or some other very general accessory, it is also likely that you will not receive the one that originally corresponds to the mobile, but a compatible unit. As we indicated, it is not a rule, but they are things that can happen and that it is better to know in advance so that you do not suffer any type of inconvenience later.
repair history
It is not often shared, but some sellers or stores may incorporate this information. It is not essential either, although it is always nice to have a little more information about the mobile you are going to buy. Thus, for example, the product file could include a series of details that explain the processes that have been carried out in the terminal in the reconditioning job. For example, “battery change and screen fix”. You do not have to wait for it as something mandatory, but there are some stores where it is indicated.
Is it safe to buy them?
Yes there is no problem. As we told you before, you have to be careful where you buy and always make sure of what you are buying. It is also important that you are aware of the guarantee that they provide you with the purchase of the mobile and if there is the possibility of returning it in the event that you are not satisfied. These are things that Amazon, for example, guarantees without problems, so it always helps when jumping into the pool and trying this alternative way of buying mobile phones.
Another factor to take into account is that there is an increasing variety of refurbished mobiles and, although you will not find the latest of the latest, many terminals are usually offered. Therefore, if you want to save and you don’t mind that the mobile is not brand new, this can be a very good option.
