You're looking to save some money on your new business phone system? Surely it would be a big mistake to buy used telecom equipment, right? Well, not really. Remanufactured electronics are more than just cleaned up junk somebody is trying to squeeze every last little bit of utility out of. Most companies go to great lengths to make sure that they are delivering you the closest thing to brand new that they can!
So how do you know if you're getting the real deal, and aren't getting a cracked iPhone, or a conference phone with a missing power supply? Well, first it's important to know what may qualify a product as remanufactered:
What is a remanufactured product?
When something is listed as remanufactured, recertified, or refurbished, this usually means that the product has beeen returned to the manufacturer for one reason or another, whether it be a crack, exterior blemish, or sometimes even nothing at all! If an item is returned to the manufacturer, even if there is nothing wrong, it cannot be sold as new. Isn't that great news? As for minor cosmetic issues, these have no influence on the funtionality of the product and can be easily repaired to deliver you an (almost) brand new product.
What terms to look for?
There are different variations of used products and, while similar, all vary in meaning.
Remanufactured: This term typically refers to a product that has been cleaned, repaired, or repackaged, to be brought as close to it's new condition as possible. Remanufactured products often inclue new factory parts directly from the manufacturer.
Refurbished: Much like remanufactured, refurbished products have been cleaned, repaired and repackaged, but do not always include new parts from the manufacturer.
Open-box: Open box products are just that; products that have been opened, returned, and therefore cannot be sold as new items, even if never used.
Like New: These equate to "used" products. A "like new" item can be a great find, but it most likely has not been reapired in any fashion. These are typically sold by individual sellers selling their used equipment.
How do i know if i am buying from a trustworthy source?
Not all companies remanufacture products the same. How can you know if your purchace is safe? Here are some basic rules to follow to get the most our of your purchase:
Buy from a company with a large selection. If you find a lone seller on ebay with no feedback, and 3 listings, chances are they are not a safe seller. A company should offer a wide variety of differnt products, brands, and conditions. The more a company offers, the safer they typically are.
Read your warrenties and return policies. If a seller does not have a clearly defined return policy, or doesn't offer warrenties this should be a red flag. A 30 day return policy is the golden standard.
Be a returning customer. Why not keep a good thing going? If you have a positive experience with a seller of recertified goods keep going back to them. This way you know that you are dealing with somebody you trust.
Check what you're getting. Read what comes with your purchase. Make sure that all components of the item you are purchasing are included with your order. Most sellers will be transparent about what is included with your purchase
Leave feedback when you find a trustworthy seller; leaving feedback will help other customers know they are making a safe purchace.
How to keep yourself protected
So by now you think that you've found yourself a great seller. What else can you do to give yourself an added bit of security? Well, this should go without saying but keep all reciepts and documents! Whenever buying anything online it is best practice to snap a screenshot of your completed order, return policy, and warrenty; this way you have documentation of what you were promised by your seller.
Knowing when to let go
Just because you love a certain phone model doesn't mean that it will always be relavent. Sometimes you just have to know when it is time to move on to the new technology. Continuing to buy an old product will only reduce your investment down the line. If you are buying a Nortel that has not been produced since the 90s, you have a much higher chance of recieving a product that has already lived it's life and is ready to retire.
So now that you know what you are buying, and what to look for in a seller, go out there and save some money! Just remember to read what you are purchasing, and save your documents!