7 Myths About Refurbished Hardware You Can Ignore
As a tech-savvy shopper, you probably know that buying refurbished IT can mean high quality products at reduced prices. Still, a large amount of consumers thinks of refurbished products as inferior goods with no value.
The negative connotations associated with rebuilt equipment are largely due to the myths that are connected to the word 'refurbished'. But in fact, most of these rumours and stories are unfounded. To sort things out, we have put together some of the most common misconceptions about refurbished hardware and debunked them to help you shop wisely.
Myth #1: Refurbished hardware was once defective.
Truth: Refurbished hardware doesn't necessarily mean defective.
This is definitely of the main concerns consumers have regarding refurbished hardware. However, the majority of refurbished products are surplus or unwanted equipment from companies across industries. In other cases, equipment labeled as refurbished is fully functional parts pulled from non-working systems, or it can be returned products with minor exterior scratches from shipping.
Of course, it happens that some products are returned due to defects—that's almost inevitable. And when it does, they're rebuilt and tested by the OEM or resellers like Kimbrer Computer to ensure everything looks and works perfectly before being placed back on the market.
Myth #2: Refurbished hardware is essentially useless junk.
Truth: If there's anything that can be described as 'useless junk', it's the myth itself.
Although it's true that most of the refurbished hardware sold by Kimbrer Computer is from previous generations, none of this equipment is considered as 'useless junk'. In fact, the majority of the refurbished equipment we buy is typically one to five years old with some products less than six months old—and old doesn't mean useless.
Sometimes, the only difference between a refurbished and a brand-new product is that new items are wrapped in plastic and come in the original packaging.
Myth #3: Refurbished hardware is another word for used.
Truth: Refurbished and used products are definitely not the same.
It's tempting to put refurbished and used into the same basket, but actually, there's a world of difference. Refurbished products will look very nearly 'good as new' after being repaired and updated, making them in better condition than used, pre-owned equipment, which, on the other hand, is often resold as is without being cleaned, tested and verified to function properly.
Put another way, if an item does not look like a new product, it hasn't been refurbished. Furthermore, used products rarely come with warranties, while refurbished equipment are usually covered by some type of warranty or guarantee.
Myth #4: Refurbished hardware doesn't last long.
Truth: Refurbished doesn't mean a shorter lifespan.
You might pay less for refurbished products, but lower prices doesn't mean settling for lower quality. Every piece of equipment sold by Kimbrer Computer undergoes a thorough cleaning, repairing and testing process to meet our high standards and ensure it's 'like new', which means that you can expect a long lifespan.
On the off chance that your hardware won't last as long as expected, we offer a wide range of spare parts—in stock and ready for immediate shipment—which can help you extend product life cycles and improve operating efficiency.
Myth #5: Refurbished hardware has considerably lesser power.
Truth: Refurbished hardware is a cheaper alternative with the same or similar performance level as new products.
It's a commonly-held belief that refurbished hardware has lesser computing power as compared to new, but this simply isn't true. Refurbished products are submitted to a rigorous refurbishing process to ensure that consumers get the same or similar performance and reliability, but for a significant lower price than an equivalent new product.
In addition, it should be noted that refurbished items are often customer returns with light scratches or other minor blemishes that do not affect product performance in any way.
Myth #6: Refurbished hardware always comes at a deep discount.
Truth: Refurbished is a cost-effective alternative compared to new, but no guarantee of big savings.
One thing's for sure, buying refurbished hardware is the perfect way to enjoy huge discounts and pick up a like-new product for a faction of the original retail price. Actually, refurbished items are often 20-80 percent cheaper than new products. However, the exact savings depend on a number of factors, including the age and quality of the products. Older generations are significantly cheaper than current generations, which are usually discounted as little as 5-15 percent.
Another factor that affects the price is whether the product is rebuilt by the OEM or a third-part refurbisher as manufacturer refurbished products are typically more expensive than seller refurbished items.
Myth #7: Refurbished hardware isn't guaranteed.
Truth: On the contrary—refurbished products are commonly guaranteed.
In the worst case scenario, if the refurbished product should fail, you definitely want to be assured that your equipment is protected and up and running in a flash. So, if a vendor is not providing any kind of warranty or guarantee, maybe you should consider buying your refurbished products somewhere else.
When purchasing a refurbished product from Kimbrer Computer, we include a 90-day standard warranty on all refurbished products with a number of options for extended warranty protection, giving our customers peace of mind. The warranty covers the repair and labor required. And if a repair is not possible, a free replacement part will be provided within few days.
Looking for quality refurbished IT equipment at competitive prices?
At Kimbrer Computer, you'll find a wide range of affordable and quality refurbished servers, storage and networking hardware from major brands such as IBM, Lenovo, Dell, EMC, HP, NetApp and Cisco. Regardless of your need and budget — whether you're looking for a single spare part or a complete, custom configured system — we have you covered. To learn more, please contact us.