The 4 big signs you CAN trust refurbished products

Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll say I’m frugal. Heck, you can call me cheap — I won’t be offended.

I’ll let you in a little secret, too. Sometimes, buying used is totally the way to go. There are some things I would only buy new, but tech isn’t one of them. There are some darn good deals out there if you’re willing to find them, from Apple, Amazon, eBay, you name it.

Before you jump into the world of refurbished items, there are a few things to keep in mind. Yes, there’s a chance of getting a counterfeit item or ending up with a busted product on delivery. But now I’m gonna flip the script — let’s look at the signs you can trust a refurbished product and save some moolah.

1. It’s official

This is a must: Always check for brand-level certification on refurbished products. Apple-certified refurbishments, for example, go through a rigorous restoration process.

Third parties can sell these certified used products, but Apple (and other brands) ultimately ensures the quality is up to code in every component. Dyson, iRobot, KitchenAid and many other stores have these certified refurbishments.

Pay attention to the fact that I am specifying brand-certified. Some sites try to get around this by offering special “certifications” of their own, like Gazelle-certified — but that’s not the same. You want certification from the brand that manufactured the product. 

2. No funny business with returns

Fun fact: By federal law, secondhand goods are required to have a return policy. Sounds great, but a lot of sites don’t follow that rule. To guarantee a good buy, look for a return policy that’s at least 14 days and totally free to use. If you can’t find a return policy, nope, right out of there.

Look for a warranty, too. While the original one may not apply to refurbished goods, you can usually find a refurbished warranty for around three months. That’s really important, guys and gals. Refurbished products tend to be older, so open them immediately and watch for unexpected problems or malfunctions before that period ends.

Let’s look at Amazon’s refurbished products. They call it Amazon Renewed. You have 90 days from when the product ships to make sure all is well. If anything goes wrong, you can get a replacement or refund. And you can save big time on popular stuff.

  1. Beats Studio3 wireless headphones – Save $50!
  2. Nintendo Switch – OLED model – $40 bucks off.
  3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 – Nearly $180 savings!

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

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With shiny new gear popping up daily and yet another streaming service there to woo you, it’s hard to stop the flow of cash. I can help. Here are all the best ways to scan without shelling out money for a scanner. You’re welcome.

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Many big tech brands sell refurbished gadgets — not brand-new but fully checked and working. Apple has refurbished MacBooks, computers and AirPods with a one-year warranty. Amazon Renewed has everything from the 2022 Apple Watch model to Beats headphones and smart TVs

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

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Why pay more? 15 great deals from Amazon Renewed

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It’s important to stick to your budget when you’re shopping for holiday gifts (or yourself), but you can’t always run out and search the sales racks of your local retailers to find what you’re looking for. You know what you can do, though? You can shop Amazon Renewed.

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

5 ways you’re wasting money on tech purchases

What a year it has been for our collective wallets. Now that the holiday shopping season is underway, I bet you’re thinking about ways you can save money.

First, remember you don’t have to spend a fortune on a great gift. Here’s my guide to presents people will love under $100. If you can budget a little more, check out my best tech picks under $150.

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Money-saving tip: eBay just launched a certified refurbished store

You don’t have to spend big money to get reliable tech. Plenty of companies offer discounts on used or refurbished gadgets that work just as well as brand-new items. In fact, some of these companies even offer extended warranties for pre-owned merchandise.

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