4 Tech Gadgets You Can Totally Buy Used—and 3 You Definitely Shouldn’t

Second-hand smartphones can be a smart move

What does refurbished mean when it comes to buying a smartphone or for that matter any portable electronic? Simply put, it’s not brand spanking new—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe it was delivered on someone’s doorstep in a mangled box and therefore returned. Or perhaps the previous owner dropped it down a flight of stairs, but it was repaired. Either way if you are buying from a reputable seller, expect a “reconditioned”or “certified used” phone to be in good working condition. “Consumers should trust companies that boast strict security guidelines and use programs such as CheckMEND to make sure that phones sold aren’t stolen. These companies ensure that devices are top quality, not damaged and obtained legally, so consumers can have peace of mind,” says Yanyan Ji, GM of e-commerce at gazelle.com. “Look for e-commerce sites that provide a certification process on their used devices.” Devices sold on Gazelle.com are “Gazelle Certified” meaning that these devices go through a rigorous inspection process which includes a 30 point inspection service. You can especially feel good about buying refurbished when it’s from the manufacturer—for example, in November 2016 Apple finally started carrying refurbished iPhones on their website. So now, not only can you cop an iPhone 6S with 128GB for $629 (16 percent off!), Apple hooks you up with its one-year warranty and an option to purchase more protection through Apple Care. Caution: It’s buyer beware on sites like eBay or Craigslist. Carefully review third party seller’s ratings and read buyer’s comments before you click buy.