How Using Refurbished Products Helps Save the Earth

Why buy a refurbished PC? Anyone in the market for a new computer is asking this question. But if you work in procurement for a school district, a business, a municipality, a non-profit, or any other organization, you might need to purchase large amounts of electronics with a limited budget in mind. And you might be looking for ways to reduce your environmental impact as well.

Kill two birds with one stone by turning to the refurbished market. But why is refurbished the best condition to purchase products in? And whom can you trust to provide you with a positive and reliable refurbishing experience?

Defining What “Refurbished” Means

It’s worth knowing what the term “refurbished” actually means. If you’re ever in the market for a new laptop or desktop computer, your options include:

• Buying one brand new at the store, which will get you a new device in mint condition with the lowest chance of having any defects. You’ll most likely get a guarantee/warranty from both the manufacturer and the store and can return the item if it doesn’t work in most cases. However, the cost is obviously higher.
• Buying one used from someone else, likely through an online personal advertisement. While cheap, there’s a large degree of risk in buying used electronics, as any underlying defects aren’t necessarily apparent or disclosed. A warranty or refund is definitely not  guaranteed either.
• Buying refurbished essentially combines the benefits of both options without many of the drawbacks. You’re purchasing a second-hand product that’s gone through a quality assurance review and cleaning procedures by a certified third-party refurbisher. The cost is lower than a new laptop or desktop, yet you still have some guarantee that you’ll get a good product in the end. Most refurbishers offer warranties on top of that. System Liquidation offers a 1 year warranty on all refurbished products for example.

When it comes to organizational procurement, which often involves bulk orders, refurbishing makes the most sense from a cost perspective compared to buying new. Certified refurbishing services tend to offer bulk orders too, making them more reliable and cost-effective than buying used.

Refurbished and used items are both second-hand, but it’s worth noting that not all returned devices are necessarily faulty. The original buyer might have been displeased by minor cosmetic defects or just didn’t want the product after a while. But what happens to the product immediately after is what matters: refurbished products have been inspected and repaired by a certified third-party, whereas a used product is sold as-is immediately.

Refurbishing may also be referred to as “reconditioned” or “remanufactured.” Call it what you will, it’s the best option in most cases for organizations with tight budgets and a high demand for new electronics.

Is Going Refurbished the “Greener” Choice?

Buying refurbished computers is an excellent way to show your dedication to protecting the environment. A major issue facing the electronics industry is e-waste.

E-waste poses a problem for waste disposal because:

• Electronics contain many hazardous materials and chemicals like lead and mercury, which can leak into the environment when computers, laptops, phones, and accessories are thrown out.
• Electronics contain many non-renewable resources like aluminum, copper, and cobalt.
• These problems are compounded by the fact that current e-waste solutions are rather inefficient and often just outsource the waste elsewhere.

Refurbishing is what saves these devices from entering landfills. When the original consumer doesn’t want a product anymore, it can be given new life by a refurbishing business and resold for use at a reduced price. While buying used can potentially offer the same benefit, refurbished products are more likely to be used for longer since they’ve been professionally inspected and restored.

Whether you’re a non-profit, a school, or a business, everyone wants to know how you stand on environmental protection. Governments often enact laws regarding the carbon footprint of operating businesses, and customers tend to buy from companies that champion sustainability.

How to Choose an Ideal Certified Refurbishing Service

The next time you’re in the market for a set of reconditioned laptops, look for the following traits in an ideal service provider:

• The right price: Do the offerings fit into the budget? And how much are you saving by buying a computer refurbished at this store as opposed to brand new?
• Product catalog: Does the refurbisher sell the exact electronics you need? A school district might need refurbished laptops for its students, while certain offices might want refurbished desktops for their workstations. Either way, make sure the service provider specializes in the product line you’re looking for.
• The refurbishing process: What does the company do to used devices before selling them again? Most refurbishers check the functionality of the device, clean it thoroughly, and possibly add new packaging. It’s also wise to replace the battery, which tends to wear out over time. The condition of the products you receive should be almost like new.
• Experience in your specific market: Various industries rely on refurbished electronics, including governments, healthcare, nonprofits, and education. Each of these fields has specific needs to fulfill when it comes to choosing devices. Healthcare relies heavily on data security and reliability, while corporate users might want the latest business-focused features. Find a refurbisher with experience in your field to maximize the chance you’ll find what you need.
• A good track record: Refurbishing businesses rely on consumer trust to operate. Consult with customer reviews and testimonials and check what certifications the business has before placing an order.
• Contract terms: Ask about the terms of the sale. Is there a return policy? And can the vendor provide assurance that you’ll get the value you expect out of your purchase?
• Post-purchase support: A refurbishing service is more than just a storefront. The company should offer you warranties and customer support in the event you ever have an issue with a device. Warranties tend to be shorter for refurbished products compared to new ones, but it’s still a necessity.

Refurbished purchases come with less risk than used ones, but it’s still important to do your own due diligence. The biggest factor that ties into your success is choosing a reputable and certified refurbishing service to buy from.

Procure High-Quality Computers and Electronics For an Affordable Price with System Liquidation

Not many refurbishing services can boast experience in multiple industries, a Microsoft MAR certification, options for bulk ordering, and top-notch customer support. But System Liquidation certainly can. And you can’t afford not to contact us if you’re serious about environmental friendliness and want to purchase refurbished electronics.