SavrioRefurbished or new laptop? What to check before you buy
Before you read: Savrio compares prices and sends you to the seller. Some links on Savrio are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you buy. It never changes the price you pay. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
A refurbished laptop can cost less than the same model new, but only if you know what you are buying. This guide covers when refurbished makes sense, what to ask the seller before you pay, and what the Irish consumer watchdog says about your rights.
What "refurbished" means
Sellers use the word in different ways. It can mean a laptop that was tested and cleaned, one that had parts replaced, or a used one that was simply returned and resold. The word on its own tells you very little. What matters is what the seller says in writing about the condition, what was repaired or replaced, and what guarantee comes with it.
When refurbished can make sense
- You want a better specification for the same money, such as more memory or storage than a new laptop at that price.
- You mostly do everyday things: browsing, email, documents, video calls and streaming.
- You don't mind some light wear on the outside.
- The seller gives a clear returns policy and a written guarantee.
When new may be the better choice
- You need up-to-date hardware for demanding work such as video editing or modern games.
- You want the longest possible period of software updates. Older models can stop receiving updates sooner.
- You'd rather have a full manufacturer warranty and a battery with no previous wear.
- The price gap is small. Always compare the total cost, including delivery, before deciding.
Checklist: ask before you pay
- Who is the seller? A business or a private person? Buying from a business gives you consumer rights. Buying from a private person generally does not (see below). On online marketplaces, check whether the seller is shown as a business.
- What condition is it in? Look for the seller's own definition of each grade (for example "good" or "excellent"). Grading is not standard, so one seller's "good" can differ from another's. Look at photos of the actual item where you can.
- What was repaired or replaced? Ask about the battery, screen, keyboard and storage.
- What about the battery? Batteries wear out. Ask about its condition and whether it is covered by the guarantee.
- What is the guarantee? Find out how long it lasts, what it covers and who honours it: the seller, the refurbisher or the manufacturer. Get it in writing.
- What is the returns policy? Check the time allowed and who pays for return postage.
- What is in the box? Check the charger and cables are included, and that the charger suits Irish sockets.
- What are the exact specifications? Model, processor, memory, storage, screen size and keyboard layout. Some used laptops come with a US or other non-Irish keyboard layout.
- Which software is installed? Ask which operating system it has, and whether the model still gets updates from its maker.
- What is the total price? Add delivery and anything extra, then compare with a new one.
Your rights in Ireland
This is a summary of guidance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). Its pages cover new and second-hand goods in general. They do not set out separate rules for refurbished goods, so treat any written guarantee as part of the deal.
- Products you buy must be of good quality and be as described.
- If you buy a second-hand item from a business, you have similar rights to buying a new one. The quality should reflect the price you paid. These rights do not apply to a fault, including wear and tear, that was pointed out to you before you bought it.
- If you buy from another consumer, consumer law protections don't apply. It is a case of "buyer beware".
- If a fault appears in the first 30 days, you can end the purchase and get a full refund once you return the item. You must tell the business within that period.
- After 30 days, you can generally choose between a repair or a replacement. You can get a refund in serious cases, or where repair is unsuccessful.
- In the first year, the law presumes a fault was there when you received the item, so the business must prove otherwise. After the first year, it is up to you to prove it.
- The CCPC says your rights can last up to six years in Ireland, from the day you bought the product or the day it was delivered.
- Most online and phone purchases also have a 14-day cooling-off period.
For your own situation, check the CCPC pages listed below or contact the CCPC directly.
Compare sellers on Savrio
Open Savrio, choose Electronics, search for the exact model, and use the links to see each seller's current price, condition and guarantee on their own site. Savrio does not sell anything, so always read the seller's page before you buy.