Should you buy a refurbished phone?
It will come as no shock when we say that phone prices are getting higher each year, which is why the majority of people don’t buy their handsets outright, instead opting for a monthly contract to help spread the cost. But of course, the better the phone, the more expensive the contract and so unless you want the latest model immediately, it often isn’t the best way to buy. Refurbished phones are growing in popularity and may be the best way to reduce costs without reducing your phones features.
What is a Refurbished Phone?
It’s a common misconception that “refurbished phone” is just a fancy way of saying second-hand, however, this isn’t the case. Refurbished phones are usually phones that have been traded in for some money off a newer model, returned due to changing their mind or a phone that was no longer needed and so brought in. In all of these cases, the phone is checked, updated and, if needed, repaired to a very high standard, and marketed for resale as refurbished, refreshed or reconditioned.
What this essentially means is you’re getting a great quality, nearly new phone that’s usually a recent model for much less than if you were to buy the phone brand new.
What are the benefits?
- You save money.
Buying a refurbished phone is MUCH cheaper and works just as if the phone had been bought new, and it is often hundreds of pounds. It is certainly more affordable if you’re wanting to buy outright and have a less-restrictive SIM-only or Pay-as-you-Go contract.
- It’s great quality.
Unlike a typical second-hand phone, a refurbished phone has been checked and repaired, so you can be sure that the phone is up to industry standard with no hidden faults that could leave you without a phone while you take it to be repaired.
- There’s a Warranty.
By buying this way, you will still get a warranty period; although this is usually less than a brand new phone, it can still help you to get any issues fixed without you paying out of pocket, which wouldn’t be the case if you’d bought the phone second hand.
- You still get that ‘new phone’ experience.
On top of all the checks that are run on the phone, the company will have wiped the phone and any data left by a previous owner under the Data Protection Act. By having a phone that’s reset to the factory standard, you can be sure that no settings from a previous owner will remain, giving you the new phone experience.
Are there any disadvantages?
Whilst mentioned above, the warranty on refurbished phones is often much shorter than if you were to buy a phone brand new; and some insurers can be fussy when insuring a reconditioned phone, although this isn’t always the case, especially with their increasing popularity.
You may struggle to get the very latest model. If you want the latest model, it’s likely you’ll have to wait to get it as they’re unlikely to hit the refurbished market immediately. But, if you’re just looking to upgrade from an older model, it’s a great way to upgrade to newer features and save money.
If you’re looking to purchase a refurbished phone, pop us a message to find out what we have in stock. We guarantee you a saving.
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