Sometimes, you don't want to pay full price for a device. For times like these, you will likely turn to refurbished devices. Picking up a $1,000 phone or a $2,000 laptop for half their original price is really tempting— and most people do just that.

There are, however, things to take into consideration when shopping for refurbished devices. Here are the important things that you need to know before picking up that refurbished device.

What Are Refurbished Devices?

Smartphone with Fast Charging

Before learning how to shop for refurbished devices, it's important to know just what they are. A refurbished device is a product that's been used by a previous owner. What separates refurbished devices from plain-old used devices is the fact that refurbished devices have some restorative work done to them.

A refurbished device will have certain parts replaced that can go bad over time. Components like batteries, displays, ports, chips, and other parts get swapped out for new ones. Though refurbished devices are typically older, you can still find a new device that has been refurbished.

What You Need to Know Before Buying Refurbished Devices

While getting a repaired device at a deep discount sounds like a great thing, there are some things that you need to keep know before adding it to your cart.

1. Is the Seller Trustworthy?

There are tons of tips for online shopping, and identifying trustworthy sellers is one of them. First, it's crucial that you only buy from trusted retailers.

When looking at sellers, you need to check out the reviews on the site. Most sites have a 1-5 star rating scheme. Obviously, if a retailer has 1,000 reviews, and 800 of them are one-stars, you should look elsewhere.

However, you should also take the time to read the reviews. Read the bad reviews and see if there's a recurring theme. If you see five reviews with the same complaint, you may have a problem. Not only that, but look for reviews that feel suspicious. Oftentimes, retailers will copy and paste good reviews on their sites to make them seem more trustworthy.

If you look at reviews with obvious red flags, it's important to turn away, even if the price is tempting. You could potentially be scammed out of hundreds of dollars.

2. What Is the Condition of the Device?

Just because a device is refurbished, that doesn't mean that it's completely fixed up. Refurbished devices usually have wear and tear, but it's good to know just how beat up the device is before you spend your money.

Related: Things to Know Before Buying a Refurbished Mac

3. How Does the Store Define 'Refurbished'?

Different stores can have different versions of what refurbished means, ultimately leading to confusion and scams. If a store sells refurbished devices, look and see if it displays how it defines a refurbished item.

According to Glyde, eBay has a really loose definition of refurbished. Because of this, people will actually buy refurbished items that aren't even refurbished.

Computer screen showing code 4. What Parts Can't Be Replaced?

A refurbished device will have some of its parts replaced for new ones, but that can only take you so far. For example, a refurbished phone can have a new battery, ports, and display. However, the processor can not be replaced. This means that if you get an older device, you'll be stuck with the old processor, which will continue to age.

Not all of the parts of the device will be brand new. You need to learn which parts can be replaced before you buy, and you need to know if your device can last long with the older parts.

5. Who Is Refurbishing the Devices?

Different entities can refurbish an item. Therefore, there are different levels of quality based on who refurbishes it. You will sometimes see items refurbished by the actual manufacturers (called factory refurbished). This is always a good sign, as who better to fix up a Samsung smartphone than Samsung?

Most of the time, third-party companies refurbish devices—this is where you get varying results. When you see a seller refurbished device, you need to know that the quality might not be as high as factory refurbished, although figuring out the difference in quality is almost impossible without taking your newly refurbished device apart. In this case, you're best off cross-referencing with another check, such as reviews. Poor quality refurbishments or workmanship will lead to poor reviews!

6. Will I Be Protected If the Device Goes Bad?

Since you are buying a product that's old or has been used, you need to ensure that you are protected if the device gives up the ghost. First, make sure there's a warranty on the device. Most big companies, like Apple, Samsung, Best Buy, and Amazon, offer some sort of warranty on their refurbished devices.

Along with that, you should check out the return policy. If the seller doesn't have a return policy, it'd be easy for them to sell you a broken device and have no obligation to give you a working one. A return policy can mean the difference between spending money and wasting money.

7. Will This Device Work in My Country?

Since most refurbished devices are sold by third-party companies, there's no guarantee that it was manufactured for your country. Therefore, it's crucial to know if the device will work in your country, especially if it's supposed to connect to the internet.

Different countries have different signal bands that people use to access the internet. If you get a device made for a different country, it's possible that it won't be compatible with all of the signal bands in yours. Look up the model number for the device you're looking at and see if it matches the one for your country.

8. Can This Device Even Be Refurbished?

Certain devices can't or shouldn't be refurbished and resold. These are devices with essential parts that can't be properly replaced and will fail on you inevitably. Devices like HDDs and SSDs fall under this list, as well as most modern TVs. Some parts just can't be replaced, which means that you'd be buying a device with an expiration date.

Better Knowledge Equals Better Shopping

That $300 Galaxy S21 or $500 MacBook Pro might seem tempting, but the price isn't the only factor to consider when shopping for refurbished devices. What's more important is being able to spot red flags and scams that could potentially lose you a lot of money.