Refurbished vs New: How to Tell if a Deal Is Worth It
That 30% discount on a “refurbished” laptop looks like a steal. But here’s the secret: “refurbished” is a marketing term, not a guarantee. It can mean a pristine, like-new device that was returned to the store in 10 days… or it can mean a five-year-old gadget that got a quick wipe-down and was tossed in a new box.
The difference is everything. I’ve seen both.
A good refurb deal is a smart, sustainable way to save money. A bad one is an expensive headache. This guide is a practical checklist to tell the difference, complete with real-world math.