As a tech journalist who also runs a free tech advice newsletter, I keep a pretty lean operation. I always buy technology for “research purposes” and when I do, I don’t feel comfortable paying anything close to list price.
Waiting for a deal to close is one way to cover costs. But what if I need something? now?Or what if the deal wasn’t good enough? So I look to the used, refurbished, and opened market.
Related: Why you should buy a refurbished laptop
If you know where to look and what to look for, you can essentially cut your price and still get a gadget that looks like new.
Here are my go-to sources for cheap used, refurbished, and opened gadgets. At the end of this article, we’ll also share some tips and warnings you should know before you go shopping.
This article first appeared in Advisor Jared’s weekly technical advice newsletter. Sign up to learn new tech techniques every Tuesday.
Best Buy Open Box Sale
Jared Newman / Foundry
Jared Newman / Foundry
Jared Newman / Foundry
For easy ways to save money on virtually any technology product, open box Best Buy product page options. This will take you to a purchasing options section that includes discounts for returned items. The Open Box Excellent option guarantees like-new condition with all original accessories included.
The best part about Best Buy’s open box sale is that it takes current sale prices into account. For example, if a new iPad is on sale for $100 off, you can also get that discount on open-box models. (I recently used this method to save $194 on an iPad Mini. The box arrived a little beat up, but the tablet itself was clean.)
The Best Buy route often pairs with big-ticket items that often go on sale, such as laptops, monitors, TVs, tablets, and the Apple Watch. If you don’t like the quality of your open box model, you can return it for free within 15 days (either in-store or by mail). Open box products come standard with a one-year warranty in case anything goes wrong.
Amazon’s used corner
Jared Newman / Foundry
Jared Newman / Foundry
Jared Newman / Foundry
Like Best Buy, Amazon also offers a used option on the product page. However, unlike Best Buy, Amazon’s used items are rarely eligible for the sales going on on their new equivalents.
Still, if you need some sort of accessory, like a USB hub or Ethernet splitter, and can’t wait for a sale, we found the used option to be worth it.
Amazon’s 30-day return policy still applies to used items, and you can conveniently return them at UPS or Kohl’s stores. However, please note that Amazon does not offer guarantees beyond the return period.
just look for it Store with used items You can select options on any product page. If you buy from a third-party seller, make sure that the seller has a good reputation. Also, please note that some options may not include Prime shipping.
Replace with cheap used gear
Jared Newman / Foundry
Jared Newman / Foundry
Jared Newman / Foundry
Swappa is an online marketplace for buying and selling used gadgets. Sellers can list devices for their desired amount, and buyers can browse those listings to find products by type, brand, condition, color, specifications, and more.
Swappa is best known for its smartphone deals, but don’t sleep on its laptop page. There you’ll find great discounts on MacBooks, Windows PCs, and Chromebooks. The smartwatches and tablets section of this site is also worth a look.
The big caveat with Swappa is that you don’t get any guarantees with your purchase, and most sellers don’t accept free returns unless the item is not as described. (Still, going back and forth can be a pain.) If you’re willing to take that risk, the savings can be significant.
Hint: Swappa doesn’t have an official counter-offer feature, but you can try haggling using the “Contact Seller” option. However, if you lower your price, you need to act quickly because someone else who sees your listing may jump on it before you do.
good old ebay
Jared Newman / Foundry
Jared Newman / Foundry
Jared Newman / Foundry
eBay remains a great way to get gadgets for less, but finding the best buying options can take some effort. eBay’s default search algorithm doesn’t always show you the best deals. Also, listing an item at auction is rarely cheaper than buying the item outright.
So my approach to shopping on eBay is: Search for products using as many descriptors as possible, buy it now Filter the results page to hide auction listings and sort results by: Price + Shipping: Lowest first. Then scroll through the results and use additional filter options to find exactly what you’re looking for.
My best recent purchase using this approach was a gently worn Samsung Galaxy Watch4 for $60 (it would have been $200 at Best Buy). I also purchased several Anker MagSafe power banks for less than $25 each. This was about $15 less than the street price.
When shopping on eBay, be wary of listings that say things like “please read” or “please see.” This is because these products often have serious defects. Also, avoid listings that say “parts only”.
Other options you can check out
- RefurbMe is a site that helps you find a variety of refurbished product sources, including Back Market, Gazelle, and Apple.
- Back Market itself is worth asking, as they include a one-year warranty on all their products (though prices tend to be higher as a result).
- You can also try your luck at Mercari, a used goods marketplace similar to eBay, but we’ve witnessed some shady activity there. If the seller doesn’t have any reviews or the price seems unbelievably high, skip it.
Some tips and warnings
Purchasing a used, refurbished, or opened device always involves greater risk than purchasing a new device. But by being smart, careful, and patient, you can reduce much of that risk and shop with confidence.
There are a few things to keep in mind before purchasing a used, refurbished, or opened item.
- Warranty scope: Used products usually don’t include the standard one-year manufacturer warranty you get when buying new, but some sites allow you to purchase additional warranties.
- Battery status: Device batteries wear down over time, so used equipment may last less long on a charge than new equipment. You can inquire about the battery status before purchasing, or check the battery status yourself after receiving the item. (See instructions for checking battery health on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.)
- Unscrupulous seller: While most of my transactions on eBay and Swappa have been pleasant, I have encountered a few scenarios where the product was in worse condition than advertised. Usually sellers will work with you to avoid negative reviews, but it can still be a hassle.
- Roughness: For reasons that are better left unspecified, you should avoid buying used earphones unless they have been professionally cleaned.
Looking to sell? Try these sites
Making money from your used equipment is easier than you think. Additionally, you will be putting it back into circulation for others to use. Some options worth knowing about:
- Flipsy and SellCell aggregate purchase prices from a wide variety of sources, so you can find the best sale price for your used phone, tablet, computer, and more.
- Swappa is less confusing than eBay in terms of selling old technology directly to other users. I had a positive experience with it.
- Staples offers reward points for recycling techniques you can do to recover value from keyboards, printers, and other accessories that have little resale value. (To take advantage, you must first join the Staples Rewards Program.)
This article first appeared in Advisor Jared’s weekly technology advice newsletter. Sign up to learn new tech techniques every Tuesday.
