Don't Be Abused when Buying Used! : Your guide to buying used electronics
Oh, electronics! Sometimes we love you. Sometimes we
hate you. Sometimes you make our lives so much easier, then you turn your back
on us, stop working for no reason, and ruin the day! One thing is for sure – in this day and time, we can’t live
without you! Electronics are not
only a basic necessity these days, but are a lot of fun as well! The desire to have the newest and
coolest cell phone, iPod, or even household appliance is something that almost
everyone has fallen victim to. The
only thing that stands in our way most of the time is that hefty little price
tag that comes with it! This is
why millions of people hit the internet everyday looking to indulge in their
desires for a slightly lower price by buying this months newest toy used rather
than brand new. But how do you
know if you are getting a good deal?
There are many ways to be fooled, my potential used electronics consumers! Especially when shopping online. I have put together a few things to
look out for when buying used gadgets so you don’t fall victim to the latest
scams.
7 steps you should always take when shopping for
used electronics:
1. Research the
product. Read customer reviews of
the product you are looking to buy.
I cannot stress this enough. This is the most honest information that you will find on the
lifespan and functionality of the item. Ask questions to other customers that
own the item on forums. Make sure
that the version of the product you are buying has no known faults. For
example, let's say a certain electronic shows several complaints about a bug in
the software, or a broken zooming function on a camera. You can find potential defects in an
items before you make a purchase.
Also, familiarize yourself with what comes with the electronic and what
the electronic looks like. This
way, you know to ask the seller if all of the specific parts are included or
why a certain piece in their picture seems to be missing. Preliminary research is key!
2. Become
familiar with used vendor lingo. Sellers
are great at sugarcoating when it comes to describing the product they are
selling. They are trying to get
out of you as much as they can, sometimes! Don’t always be so trusting! See below for specific terms to
look out for.
3.
Ask
about who fixed or refurbished the product. It is much better to buy a product refurbished by
the manufacturer than a third party remanufacturing company. Ask for supporting documentation/proof
if possible. Also, ask what about the product was fixed or changed and if it
was a reoccurring problem.
4.
Make
sure the product comes with a decent warranty. If you are buying from a retail chain or other
reputable seller, chances are there will be a warranty of some sort provided.
Find out how long this lasts and what it covers. Can you buy additional coverage?
If so, for how long and how much does it cost? Even if you choose not to get
the extended warranty, the fact that it's offered might indicate the company or
manufacturer's confidence in the product. A short warranty (about 6-months and
under) could indicate a lack of confidence in the product.
5.
If
possible, test the product before buying it. If you
are buying from someone besides a retail chain -such as a classifieds website
like craigslist.org - this is especially important. If you cannot test the
product yourself, ask if it has been tested.
6.
Ask
about return/exchange policy and if the product has a warranty. If you are buying from an online store, always ask
about the return/exchange policy.
This is very important! Most places won't even ask questions if you return a product
within 30 days or so. Some places,
however, will try and find any way possible to deny a return. We all know how finicky electronics can
be! You don’t want to have a
non-functioning product 3 days after you buy it! Also, ask if there is a warranty for the product or if there
is a warranty available for purchase.
Warranties are a MUST for used electronics if they are available.
7.
Hold on
to all receipts and any accompanying documentation. If you have any sort of warranty for the product,
you will need this to receive a repair or replacement. This is especially
important if you are paying with cash. Only a receipt can prove that you
purchased it! Keep that receipt in a safe place for at least as long as the
warranty lasts!
Recognize the 4 main types of electronics vendors:
1.
The Distributor of Remanufactured/Refurbished products –
This seller is selling items that have been sold to him to be refurbished. After they are refurbished, they are
then sold to you, the buyer, for a price that is lower than that of the product
in brand new condition. Be wary of
the lifetime of items such as this.
If you have ever seen the CarFax History report commercials, then you
know what I am talking about! You
never know how harshly the previous owner of your electronic device handled
it. It may be in working order
when you buy it, but the lifespan of this item is at risk of being shorter than
if you were to buy the product new.
2.
The Distributor of Customer Returns – This seller is
selling items that have been purchased by someone else and then returned. Make sure that everything that is
supposed to be included with the device is in the box when you get it. Sometimes, people can forget to put
certain parts back in the box when they bring it back to the store. Although it is the seller’s
responsibility to check for this, he or she may not do so. Make sure there is a return policy so
that you aren’t stuck with the device!
3.
The Hobby/Your “Average Joe” Seller – There sellers tend to
be very forgiving when describing the 
condition of the item (See the
sugarcoating seller’s glossary below).
As with all sellers, check to make sure that they have a good rating
from customers and look for customer reviews. Do they ship in a reasonable amount of time? Do they sell quality products? Were they timely in answering questions
about items for sale? This is
especially important to look for on auction websites such as eBay.com. If the seller is on a classifieds
website such as craigslist.org, make sure you establish telephone communication
with the seller and always ask to examine and test out the item thoroughly
first. Do not feel pressured to
buy it and always bring a friend if the seller asks to meet you somewhere other
than a public place.
4.
The Garage Sale/Estate Sale Sellers – These sellers often
are selling a wide variety of different products and are often less
knowledgeable on the items they are selling. Ask for accompanying documentation such as user manuals and
ask to test out the product before purchasing.
Be
aware of used electronics selling lingo and tricks! Do not be fooled by language that sugarcoats the true
condition of the item or microscopic photos. For example:
* “Untested”
= Product most likely does not work
* “Worked great last time it was used”
= It worked perfectly when I played my brand new Milli Vanilli CD back in ‘89
* There is no picture or a very, very
small picture = This product is probably in bad physical
condition
* Selling “As-is”
= Product is broken
* “Selling for a friend”
= Don’t blame me when this thing doesn’t work!
* Encourages you to “Act fast or it will
be gone!” = Hurry up and purchase this on impulse so I can
get it off my hands!
