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Why some people have issues with buying refurbished apple products?

akash.nu

akash.nu

macrumors G4
Original poster
May 26, 2016
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As the title suggests, just curious to know why some people find it hard to justify paying less for a "refurbished " Apple product, especially when we all know Apple products, albeit refurbished, are always of very high quality and carry the same level of warranty?!
 
Wondering if it's illogical preference or some sort of logical decision.
 
maflynn said:
Personal preference
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I think there's more to it aside from personal preference. When someone purchases a refurbished product, the concern Can be what previous defects was wrong with the product prior or what potentially could happen there after.

Given Apple's track record is very good with refurbished iPhones, more specifically, they replace the battery, display and casing, primarily all that is used is the logic board. Fortunately, all of Apple replacement devices come with a One warranty. Depending on the product, there's not a very large savings with some of their refurbished devices.

In Some cases, refurbished products are less likely to have issues than a new iPhone.
 
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Relentless Power said:
I think there's more to it aside from personal preference. When someone purchases a refurbished product, the concern Can be what previous defects was wrong with the product prior or what potentially could happen with after.
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I wonder if this could be uninformed decision making. Any defect will of course get checked by apple and most refurbished ones are probably the ones people return within 14 days.

Given Apple's track record is very good with refurbished iPhones, more specifically, they replace the battery, display and casing, primarily all that is used is the logic board. Fortunately, all of Apple replacement devices come with a One warranty.
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This is exactly why I think it's absolutely unfounded fear and the used logic board is not even a concern given the wear and tear of that is really not even measurable.

In Some cases, refurbished products are less likely to have issues than a new iPhone.
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Exactly what I feel.
 
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akash.nu said:
I wonder if this could be uninformed decision making. Any defect will of course gets checked by apple and most refurbished ones are probably the ones people return within 14 days.



This is exactly why I think it's absolutely unfounded fear and the used logic board is not even a concern given the wear and tear of that is really not even measurable.



Exactly what I feel.
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When The iPhone 6 launched, my first one was defective. Apple sent me a replacement iPhone 6 shortly after, which also had defective vibration motor. Given the circumstances, Apple overnight shipped me a brand new iPhone 6 and did not charge me the shipping fees. That's the type of reputation Apple has with their products and support. Anytime A device is mass produced, there will be defects. And I can accept defects will happen, as long as the company stands behind their product, which Apple does.
 
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I personally think it's the cost savings vs "risk" of getting a refurbished iPhone or iPad. For example, a refurbished iPhone may save you, what $100 over a comparable model? To my wife and I, not worth the savings, we rather get new (iPhone or Android phone)

However for our boys who are rough on their iPads and each on their second iPads already, it makes more sense for us to get refurbished. I try to go thru Amazon too for that extra protection of returning if needed.

Again I agree with the second post above, comes down to personal preference, what you're willing to spend, etc
 
MC355 said:
I personally think it's the cost savings vs "risk" of getting a refurbished iPhone or iPad. For example, a refurbished iPhone may save you, what $100 over a comparable model? To my wife and I, not worth the savings, we rather get new (iPhone or Android phone)

However for our boys who are rough on their iPads and each on their second iPads already, it makes more sense for us to get refurbished. I try to go thru Amazon too for that extra protection of returning if needed.

Again I agree with the second post above, comes down to personal preference, what you're willing to spend, etc
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That would make sense if the warranty wasn't as good or if there was none, but you get the same warranty as a new phone. If something is defective on a refurbished model, you can swap it for another one.

And if you get a new device and it has a defect, you may get a refurbished replacement anyway.
 
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Some people believe that warranty replacements should always be new and refurbished (or remanufactured) devices do contain some previously used parts. That makes them unacceptable to these people.

This belief is often strongly held despite the fact that when you purchase many type of things today from many different places you are often agreeing to replacement of any defect with a refurbished item.

These same people are often quick to gloss over their end of the details while demanding a company honour something that was never in the fine print.
 
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Clearly none of us can say why some people have issues with refurb products from Apple and others don't. As some have stated, the warranty is exactly the same... and Apple goes over the items and replaces batteries, cases, etc... just as with a brand new items, stuff can break or malfunction. I have purchased several items from Apple's refurb store (Macs, iPads, iPods, accessories) and have never had an issue. There are many like me who have had no problem... and others seem to have a few issues. Regardless, Apple stands behind their refurbished products just as they do with new.

The 10-15% discount over the price of a new item is a pretty good incentive, IMO.
 
I never mind refurbished Apple products. My problem comes from if it's a refurbished unit from anyone other than Apple themselves.

That's when you risk getting something that might have third party parts, might be iCloud locked or blacklisted, etc.
 
would you buy refurbished food? refurbished underwear? then why buy a refurbished apple product
 
Probably because the perception from other sub-par refurbished products with limited/no warranty of other companies. And I can say some people, like Asians, don't like buying non-new products due to pride.

Personally, I would buy refurbished Apple products anytime if given the opportunity. You can even buy Applecare for them so warranty is a non issue. Too bad availability of refurbished Apple products is not that great outside US.
 
Wackery said:
would you buy refurbished food? refurbished underwear? then why buy a refurbished apple product
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Because a refurbished Apple product is significantly different from refurbished underwear or food. Really.
mindblown.jpg
 
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Different companies have different "methods" of refurbishing returned goods and maybe a previous experience with another company has turned them off. I know it's not the same, but Verizon offers "Certified pre-owned" devices and many equate that with "refurbished". All that Verizon does, as I understand it, is wipe the phone, physically clean it up, and run some tests on it. They won't do this to a device with a scratched screen or case obviously. Do they check if the headphone jack is broken, the battery life is diminished, etc ? I don't believe so.

Another reason people don't like/want refurbished goods ? They think they're "above" getting a "used" product....

That all said, Apple's official refurbishing policy/method is quite good. Not everyone knows that though, so don't hold that against them for blindly not being gung-ho about getting a refurbished Apple device.
 
So far the two refurbished products I've bought from Apple have had issues a few years later. I bought an iPod Touch about 5 years ago and about less than 1 year (about 11 months) into owning it the headphone jack went out and if the jack was slightly moved, all audio would stop. Luckily all still covered under warranty and got it replaced.

After a few years I upgraded to the iPod Touch 5th Gen and the home button went out about after 2 years and only worked if you pressed hard right in the middle of the button.

I imagine though that this would have likely happened with a brand new model too and would consider a refurbished Apple product again.
 
eyoungren said:
Some people believe that warranty replacements should always be new
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My response to that is "you want your 10-month old device replaced with a brand new device ?" and remind them that they may get a device that's 2-weeks old, 2 months old, etc, much newer than what they had.
 
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Wackery said:
would you buy refurbished food? refurbished underwear? then why buy a refurbished apple product
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LOL!

And you don't think that stores that accept returns of food and underwear don't put the product back on the shelf?

What about all the clothes that people try on in the dressing room that go back on the rack?

And the person who bought an outfit for an event and then returned it the next day?

One of the reasons my wife always washes new clothes before wearing them.

Just attach the word 'vintage' to it. That word makes everything okay and desirable.
 
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I used to have a problem with this back when I was uninformed - figured I'd get a used screen, used battery, etc... However, this simply is not the case.

My 6+ red screened on me (kernel panic) within a month or two of ownership. I got a free "refurb" replacement (thanks Applecare+) that I continued to use for 1.7 years. It was a SOLID phone with 103+% battery design capacity (99% after 250 cycles when sold).

After that, I actually prefer refurb devices from Apple. Seriously considering doing what my little brother did last month... He walked in an Apple store, bought a refurbished 6s+ for several HUNDREDS less than a 7+. Maybe I'm getting older but I don't need the latest and greatest anymore.

My wife's 6s+, 1.3 years into ownership, was destroyed by an Apple Store employee took it apart recently. Got a 100% free refurb iPhone 6s+ - 0 battery cycles, flawless screen, flawless back - couldn't tell the difference between a brand new one. I was honestly jealous. :)

Apple Refurb? Yes please.
 
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famoussasjohn said:
So far the two refurbished products I've bought from Apple have had issues a few years later. I bought an iPod Touch about 5 years ago and about less than 1 year (about 11 months) into owning it the headphone jack went out and if the jack was slightly moved, all audio would stop. Luckily all still covered under warranty and got it replaced.

After a few years I upgraded to the iPod Touch 5th Gen and the home button went out about after 2 years and only worked if you pressed hard right in the middle of the button.

I imagine though that this would have likely happened with a brand new model too and would consider a refurbished Apple product again.
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I've bought almost all my devices new and have had dead pixels, screen issues, etc. I agree with you.
 
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I've had 2 refurbished Apple products. Both iPod touch. One had excessive light bleed all the way around the screen (the original new one was perfect). Another one had persistent hardware issues and failure. I would have returned it right away but I left it boxed up for over a year.
 
You know the old saying that a car loses 20% of its value once you drive it off the lot? A lot of people just don't want a used car, even one that is barely used. I suspect there is a similar reason here. The 15% refurbish discount just isn't enough for most people. Also, you can walk into any Apple Store and walk out with a brand new latest and greatest product. You can't do that with refurbished. The time lag makes a huge difference.

For the record, I have always bought new. My preference. I certainly have no problem with people buying refurbished. Their preference. Simple as that.
 
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