As Black Friday approaches, experts are urging consumers to consider refurbished electronics as a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to buying new. Refurbished devices can cost 30-40% less than new ones, according to Peter Windischhofer, co-founder and CEO of Refurbed. “You have this feeling of doing the right thing because you buy a product that already exists,” he said.
James Rigg, CEO of Trojan Electronics, added that refurbished items often offer “reliable performance, lower prices and a fraction of the environmental cost.” However, he warned buyers to “look for transparency, and prioritise warranty and repairability over a too-good-to-be-true discount.”
Experts caution that not all second-hand tech is equal. Katy Medlock, UK general manager of Back Market, stressed that refurbished devices differ from peer-to-peer sales on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. “Secondhand could be peer to peer: you’re not buying it with a warranty, it hasn’t been through a quality check,” she said. Refurbished marketplaces typically offer warranties, money-back guarantees, and quality checks.
Windischhofer advised against buying electronics privately due to risks of scams or poor repairs. “My advice would be to go through a professional where you get a warranty and an invoice,” he said. He noted that private sales may involve cheap third-party parts, such as a £20 screen on a phone that should have a £150 part.
To make a smart purchase, experts recommend checking the condition description, especially battery health; verifying warranty and return policies; researching the seller’s reputation; and ensuring the device will receive software updates for years to come. “Don’t cheap out,” Rigg said. “A low price is only a bargain if it actually delivers.”
