- Intrigued by this question, I tried researching about a few things that I wanted to buy this Diwali and found out how the sale of unboxed gadgets works.
- Before we get into the pros and cons of unboxed goods, we have to understand a few basics first.
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What Are Unboxed/Refurbished goods or Factory Seconds?
It is wrong to put all of them in the same league as one product is vastly different from the other. There are three primary categories where we can place these products according to the way they are handled. Now that we have a basic understanding of what each and every term means, let’s understand why such goods are sold in the market.
Why Do Companies Sell Such Goods?
Companies have dedicated production and assembly lines where hundreds and thousands of goods are produced each day. Each product goes through the scanner and, sometimes, critical flaws are not highlighted in these tests. However, each legitimate product sold is covered under warranty and that is why a replacement is generally issued for smaller goods such as phones and electronic devices. This is partly because of the online shopping websites that offer an additional 15-day replacement over and above the warranty since the products sold here come directly from the company. It’s difficult for companies to discard faulty products, therefore, they try to repair them and then they put the goods in various categories based on their condition and the type of use these products have gone through. Once their issue is rectified, the goods are sold in their respective category.
What’s in It for the Customer?
Now here’s the debate — is the price really worth buying an unboxed phone? The answer is yes. All these products undergo checks by the company and, after that, they are released for resale at an exciting price. So, basically, you get the same product at a lesser price. If you are lucky, you can also get a brand new phone or gadget at the unboxed store, which would otherwise require you to wait for months after pre-booking.
Where’s the Catch Then?
- When we are talking about lesser-priced products, there’s always a catch. And in this case, the catch is quite big. First of all, these products do not get shipped in completely sealed boxes as with brand new products. So, it’s not a good idea for all the paranoid people to take this risk of getting an unsealed product.
- Secondly, and the biggest downside is that the warranty of such products is also reduced by the company. So, in the case of the OnePlus 5, you will get a 6-month warranty as opposed to the regular one year.
- In case of refurbished gadgets, the devices are shipped with all official accessories while the warranty term is generally kept between 1 to 3 months. While for the factory seconds, depending on the category, a full or partial warranty is offered by the company.
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Be Aware and Be Safe
Low pricing, warranty, official accessories – all these may sound a little too hunky dory but, at the end of the day, you as a buyer have to be really alert while buying such products. Here are some tips that you should follow: In case of smartphones you can also perform device checks yourself. All you need is a free utility which is easily available on the application store.
Checking Android’s Hardware
If the phone your are buying is an Android, you can install the Phone Doctor Plus app to make the necessary hardware checks. The app tests for 30 hardware items and sensors, some of which include Multi-touch, Earphones & Microphone, Gyroscope, Proximity Sensor and Display.
Checking Hardware for iPhone
To check the hardware of an old iPhone, go ahead and install a free app call ReGlobe. This app is an online marketplace where you can sell your old smartphones. While selling on this platform is completely your choice, there’s an in-built tool that can help with all the necessary hardware checks.
In The End …
- Buying unboxed gadgets comes with its own pros and cons. While you definitely get gadgets or appliances for a cheaper price, there is a certain degree of alertness required from the buyers. If you are ready and willing for this, buying one such device this festive season might not be a bad idea after all.
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