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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if you can trust refurbished tech products...

23 replies

CPHB2021 · 05/12/2022 19:40

Wanting to purchase a second hand MacBook as all other tech is apple but cannot afford a new one at the moment. Desperately needed for work but not sure if ok to trust refurbished tech?

OP posts:

entropynow · 05/12/2022 19:45

CPHB2021 · 05/12/2022 19:40

Wanting to purchase a second hand MacBook as all other tech is apple but cannot afford a new one at the moment. Desperately needed for work but not sure if ok to trust refurbished tech?

Check reviews on the different suppliers. I recently replaced a latop( Hewlett Packard not Mac) which was reconditioned when I bought it in 2013 and did sterling service, despite me dropping it once or twice. The last rites were a mug full of hot coffee when the mended handle of a china mug broke and the keyboard died😢
Got another reconditioned one and good so far

Keeva2017 · 05/12/2022 19:46

Daughter is on her 3rd year of refurbished iPad. Would never have known it wasn’t brand new although did get it from Apple.

entropynow · 05/12/2022 19:46

Also writing at this moment on a reconditioned phone 😁

CatChant · 05/12/2022 19:49

I think we’ve bought about four or five refurbished MacBooks from Apple over the years and we’ve never had a problem with them.

However, no one is allowed anything liquid near them…not any more.

BlackForestCake · 05/12/2022 19:49

I'd buy a refurb if it came from Apple.

Refurbished isn't the same as second hand is it? Who's doing the refurbishing?

Original poster

CPHB2021 · 05/12/2022 19:51

BlackForestCake · 05/12/2022 19:49

I'd buy a refurb if it came from Apple.

Refurbished isn't the same as second hand is it? Who's doing the refurbishing?

There's lots of websites online ( lots with good reviews on trust pilot etc ) selling tech products, not limited to apple, that have been reconditioned by professional people within the IT/Tech industry. They are a fraction of the price of new but im still feeling nervous as still several hundreds of pounds. X

OP posts:

KirstenBlest · 05/12/2022 19:52

My laptop was an unused one that had the box had been opened, so was cheaper. Seems fine.
Previous laptop was ex-display and it lasted years.

TeaAndStrumpets · 05/12/2022 19:52

Yes I'm writing this on a refurbished Samsung tablet. I bought it via Amazon who do a lot of second hand tech. It was like new, with a guarantee. Also look at Curry's they do refurbished computers etc. They have an eBay shop.

CatchYouOnTheFlippetyFlop · 05/12/2022 19:54

I bought a refurbished iPad pro off Amazon last Christmas.

It came with a years warranty and has been perfect so far.

Sidking · 05/12/2022 19:55

I bought a refurb 32" smart tv TV off eBay, it looked and performs as new, I was very happy with it for under £100

Ledwood85 · 05/12/2022 19:56

Typing this on a refurbished iMac...
Also have a refurb iPod (classic) that still works well 16 years later!

Absolutely no reason to worry. I'd go so far as to say they're more thoroughly tested than those brand new off the production line.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 05/12/2022 19:56

From Apple? Yes.

From CeX? Not a chance.

Original poster

CPHB2021 · 05/12/2022 19:57

Ledwood85 · 05/12/2022 19:56

Typing this on a refurbished iMac...
Also have a refurb iPod (classic) that still works well 16 years later!

Absolutely no reason to worry. I'd go so far as to say they're more thoroughly tested than those brand new off the production line.

May I ask where you got your Mac from?

OP posts:

chipsandpeas · 05/12/2022 19:58

i bought a refurbished macbook air from amazon, it came with a warranty and still works years later

Ledwood85 · 05/12/2022 19:58

CPHB2021 · 05/12/2022 19:57

May I ask where you got your Mac from?

Show quote history

It was from the Apple website.

This was back in 2016, not sure if they're an option still.

Inventory comes and goes, so if you have your heart set on a particular product/spec, you need to keep checking in. It'll become available eventually.

WalkingOnSonshine · 05/12/2022 19:59

All of my phones and iPad have been refurbished, either direct from Apple or through Music Magpie.

Saved me a fortune plus it’s a lot better for the environment.

Ive been trying to find out what to do with an old iPad mini - it’s the first one so can’t sell it on and it won’t update/download so is basically useless.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 05/12/2022 20:09

I bought my laptop from my local (independent) computer shop. They had refurbished it and loaded Office etc on to it. That was several years ago and I am very happy with it.

restisall · 05/12/2022 20:10

I bought a refurbished iPhone from backmarket - works perfectly!

BigGreen · 05/12/2022 20:23

Likewise @restisall - 2nd hand and refurb tech is great

BamBamBilla · 05/12/2022 20:27

I bought a refurbished vacuum cleaner from Vax and a refurbished Ninja Foodi from Ninja both via eBay. Both arrived like brand new but in a plain box and about half the price.

I'll look for a refurbished phone next time I need one too.

Bobbybobbins · 05/12/2022 20:28

We get our phones and iPads refurbed now- so much cheaper!

ScottBakula · 05/12/2022 20:34

Have a look on the Simon Charles auction site.
And look for customer returns generally speaking I found is not individual customers like you and me that return products but shops that have not been able to sell them I've bought phone( android ) cast iron pans and I've just ordered some patch panda speakers and coffee from them.
The search function website is a bit of pain to negotiate sometimes as it brings up anything that nearly matches but it's worth it for the sales and savings you can make.

BastardtheCat · 05/12/2022 20:35

Both DD's have refurbished iPhones (11 and 12 models) and ai bought mine from Amazon. They are perfect and we're a heck of a lot cheaper than full price.

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