If you have only been buying new phones, switching to refurbished phones can be a little nerve-racking. You want to make sure the device is reliable, durable, and efficient. It is easier to trust a new device than a refurbished one. But most people don’t realize that a refurbished device can be just as good as a new one with just a few blemishes here and there. When you’re looking to buy Samsung phones refurbished, we recommend avoiding the mistakes mentioned below:
1. Unreliable Sellers
Unreliable sellers will deliver unreliable products. Purchase a refurbished device from a well-established, reputable company with a good track record. Browse through the shop’s website carefully and see what is available. Look at things like quality check process, device procurement process, warranties, and other such details.
You can also look at the website’s or device’s review before committing to a purchase. Fortunately, all of the required information is easily available online so you don’t need to go digging somewhere. If the company has mostly positive reviews, there’s no need to worry about the quality of its products.
2. Poor Return and Refund Policy
A good store will have a comprehensive return and refund process. For example, a reliable store will make sure you have ample time to test the product to see if it lives up to your expectations. If the device doesn’t work well, you can initiate a return or replacement process. Some companies even make it easier for the customers by providing a pre-paid envelope. You can get a free tracked return and a quick refund.
If the website has a poor refund policy or doesn’t accept any returns, they don’t trust their product and aren’t dedicated to customer satisfaction. It is best to avoid these stores and look for alternatives. There are several places that sell refurbished Samsungs in the UK so you don’t need to stick with one store.
3. No Grading
Grading is an important aspect of the refurbished phone market. A straightforward and honest grading process can help customers make informed decisions regarding the products they want to buy. When you are in the market for a new phone, carefully access the store’s grading process and take time to understand what each grade means. If the store doesn’t have a good grading policy or doesn’t offer any straightforward grading, consider other options.
If the phone isn’t graded, you may not be able to judge its quality accurately. If you’re lucky, the device will be sound and you will be able to use it for a long time. If you’re not lucky, it will be unreliable and will stop working within a month. That’s why grading is essential and shouldn’t be ignored. When you buy a graded phone, you know what to expect.
4. No Warranty
Does your phone come with a warranty? Most reputable refurbished phone sellers will provide some warranty along with their devices. If your phone has some manufacturing defects or issues related to the refurbishing process, you can request replacement or repairs within the warranty period. A good company will provide a substantial warranty period of around 6-12 months.
If your device does falter during this time, you can send it to the shop for assistance without incurring any cost. If your device isn’t covered by a warranty, you will end up spending whatever money you saved on the purchase on repairs.
5. Clear Quality Check Policy
Every refurbished phone seller will have a quality check process. You need to check whether it covers all essentials like the screen, charging port, headphone port, buttons, battery, chip, software, and connectivity. Some reliable sellers will assess the phone according to IMEI standards, which sets the standards for all devices in the industry.
If the quality check process is clear and comprehensive, you can trust the device and know it will last for a long time. If the process isn’t explained on the website, you may want to contact the store directly and ask them about the device quality checks.
6. No Stolen Goods
Make sure the company sources its devices from a reliable seller. The last thing you want is to purchase stolen goods that can be traced back to you. A reputable store will source all devices properly, wipe all data from the previous user, and factory-reset everything.
That ensures there are no suspicious bits of data on your phone and the device is completely safe for use. Some sellers on websites like eBay may offer stolen goods so it is important to be careful and check the sources.
7. No Customer Support
What happens if you have to return the device, claim the warranty, or ask questions after you have purchased the refurbished smartphones? You may want to get in touch with the customer care centre for support.
If the store doesn’t have a dedicated customer care team, you will have no recourse but to find other sources of information or support, which can be a hassle.
If you keep these issues in mind, you will be able to buy a good quality phone at a good price.