Is Refurbished Computer Hardware right for me?
With the current pandemic continuing to wreak havoc on the economy, many companies have shifted into a “work from home” model to maintain their business while keeping their employees safe. With so many markets making a shift to deal with Covid, the computer hardware market was no exception. Because of the shortage of equipment, many consumers and companies have turned to the refurbished market to procure equipment to ensure that everyone can stay productive during these times. Now that so many eyes that have always purchased new have turned to refurbished computers, there are some stipulations about refurbished hardware. The most daunting part of looking for quality, refurbished hardware is being overwhelmed by all the options that are currently on the market. The best option is to find a good retailer with a strong warranty to help you save money, without compromising quality, to give you the performance and reliability you deserve.
What is refurbished hardware? And what does it mean?
The term “refurbished” can have many meanings, from a customer return who got a better deal from another company, having a minor scratch on the device, to a defective piece of equipment directly from the manufacturer. The condition and functionality of the device will vary from retailer to retailer. The best approach is to research who is selling the device and read the experiences of others on how they enjoyed their purchase. Most refurbished manufacturers will offer a warranty with their equipment without any additional charge. Conveniently, BBC Technology Solutions offers a 1-year warranty for their equipment with advanced replacements, free of charge, in the event of equipment issues.
Pros of buying refurbished hardware:
The first and most obvious positive of buying refurbished computer hardware is the cost. Just like buying off lease or used cars, refurbished hardware is sold at a fraction of the cost to its brand new counterpart, allowing businesses to save money and use their savings to allocate to other parts of the business that need the funding. If you have 50 new employees and they all need a desktop, monitor, keyboard and mouse, it will become expensive very quickly. Buying refurbished equipment will help keep the overall cost of your hardware needs low, while still being able to perform all your needed job duties without compromise.
Another benefit of refurbished hardware is the environmental impact. By re-using computer hardware, when large companies decide to upgrade their offices, the equipment they are getting rid of does not go straight to a landfill, which lowers our carbon footprint on the environment.
Cons of buying refurbished hardware:
The largest negative of buying refurbished hardware is the risk of the equipment breaking down shortly after purchase. The refurbished hardware market is not regulated heavily and has no current set standards to what classifies as “refurbished”. The best way to avoid the inherent risk of purchasing refurbished hardware is partnering with a reputable vendor with high standards that offers a solid warranty. Typically, when a vendor offers a good warranty, that means they have confidence that what they sell will perform for years to come.
In Summary:
Purchasing refurbished computer equipment essentially boils down to risk VS reward. If you have a reputable vendor that sells their equipment with confidence, your company can save a lot of time and money when it comes to procuring equipment. With proper warranties, replacements, and customer support, this could be a big win for your company’s finances. BBC Technology Solutions offers free consultations for your business to establish what products will offer the best price and performance, while keeping your company needs, requirements, and budgets in mind.
