As Black Friday approaches with its cacophony of seemingly unbelievable deals on new gadgets, a quieter, smarter revolution is gaining momentum. Choosing refurbished technology over brand-new items is emerging as the savvy shopper's choice, offering significant financial savings and a dramatically reduced environmental impact.
The Compelling Case for Refurbished
According to industry leaders, the benefits are twofold. You can save directly 30-40% versus buying new, while simultaneously making an eco-conscious decision, explains Peter Windischhofer, CEO of Refurbed. By purchasing a product that already exists, you prevent the need to manufacture a new one, conserving precious resources.
James Rigg, CEO of Trojan Electronics, concurs, stating that refurbished is very often the superior choice. It delivers reliable performance at lower prices for a fraction of the environmental cost. The key, he advises, is to buy from reputable sellers, prioritise transparency, and value warranty and repairability over a discount that seems too good to be true.
Five Essential Tips for Smart Refurbished Shopping
Navigating the refurbished market requires a careful approach. Follow these expert tips to ensure a successful purchase.
1. Scrutinise the Description: The term 'refurbished' can vary. Always check the promised condition, with particular attention to battery health for devices like phones and laptops.
2. Verify Warranty and Returns: Ensure you are protected. A solid warranty and a clear returns policy are non-negotiable for peace of mind.
3. Research the Seller: Investigate customer reviews and online feedback. On eBay, look for sellers enrolled in the official 'Refurbished' programme for added security.
4. Choose Your Device Wisely: While older models are cheaper, this can be a false economy. Ensure the device will continue to receive security updates and can handle years of use. Avoid smartphones that have stopped receiving these critical updates.
5. Don't Just Chase the Lowest Price: A bargain is only a bargain if it works. Prioritise customer service and a transparent refurbishment process over saving a few extra pounds.
Refurbished vs. Secondhand: Know the Crucial Difference
It is vital to understand the distinction between professionally refurbished items and those sold as pre-owned or secondhand. Katy Medlock, UK General Manager at Back Market, emphasises that they are quite different. Secondhand, peer-to-peer sales typically come without a warranty, quality check, or customer support.
Professional refurbishers like Back Market, MusicMagpie, and Refurbed aim to make the buying experience as good as purchasing new, offering warranties, money-back guarantees, and next-day delivery. In contrast, buying from private sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace is a gamble, with risks including unseen defects, botched repairs using cheap parts, and no recourse if the product fails.
The Staggering Environmental Payoff
The ecological advantages of buying refurbished are substantial and quantifiable. Research from Back Market highlights that choosing a refurbished smartphone over a new one saves 178g of e-waste and 77,000 litres of water. It also prevents 77kg of carbon emissions and stops 244kg of raw materials from being mined.
Trojan Electronics estimates are even more striking, suggesting a refurbished phone uses 91.3% fewer raw materials and 86.4% less water, while emitting 91.6% less carbon. James Murdock, co-founder of Alchemy, adds that every refurbished smartphone purchase represents a CO2 offset of about 58kg compared to buying new.
The trend is expanding beyond phones to include all types of electronics, from air fryers and coffee machines to games consoles and laptops, helping to extend the life of products that might otherwise end up in landfill.
What to Do With Your Old Tech
Once you have your new-to-you device, consider the end-of-life for your old tech. Recycling should be a last resort due to limited capacity. A better option is to use trade-in programmes offered by many refurbishers, ensuring the device enters the circular economy.
If selling peer-to-peer, ensure you wipe all personal data completely and clean the device thoroughly to get the best value. Donating to charities like Screen Share, which repurposes technology for refugees, is another excellent way to give your old gadget a purposeful second life.
By opting for refurbished technology this Black Friday, consumers can make a powerful statement: that great value and environmental responsibility can, and should, go hand in hand.
