- Refurbished Laptops Online - Declan TM/cc 2.0
Although the price of laptops has dropped dramatically over the past few years, refurbished laptops can provide all of the features of a high-end product at a fraction of the cost of new. Finding a reputable seller of cheap used laptops, though, can be tough. There are plenty of companies that offer electronics through Internet stores, but finding the right notebook computer t reseller that offers a solid product such as HP, Acer, or Compaq, a limited warranty, and minor tech support is as important as price.
Used Notebook Computers
Most resellers buy their products from large corporations or the federal and state governments, then clean up the products by erasing hard drives, fixing broken components, adding new hard drives, physically cleaning dust and dirt, and so forth before offering refurbished laptops online for sale to the public.
These used notebook computers are often one to two years old, and with refurbished laptops loaded with Windows or Ubuntu selling for as little as 50% of the cost of new, learning how to buy a refurbished laptop makes financial sense.
Refurbished Laptops Online
The most popular place for buying a used notebook computer is eBay. eBay is populated with hundreds of sellers of refurbished laptops, and cheap computer options abound at the auction site. Stick to power sellers with ratings above 98% to make certain the product and customer service are good.
Another common option for buying cheap used laptops is Craigslist. Some local computer repair and sales stores will advertise on Craigslist, while other laptops will simply be used laptops from individuals. A truly refurbished laptop is one that has been reconditioned and is as good as new.
The chance of fraud is higher with Craigslist, however, as there is no dispute process, and no way to report a fraudulent sale. It's buyer beware, 100%, when it comes to Craigslist, but tech-savvy buyers may be able to get a smoking deal buying from their local area.
HP, Compaq, Acer and More Reconditioned
Consider buying from large cheap used laptop resellers such as Adelia Computers or Dell's refurbished computer center. Resellers selling hundreds of laptops each week are just like HP or Apple- the only difference is that the laptops are used. Many larger resale companies also offer a limited warranty of 30 to 90 days, an absolutely critical component when looking for a reconditioned computer.
Another way consumers can protect themselves when buying a refurbished laptop online: credit cards with buyer protection policies. Some credit cards such as American Express offer additional consumer protection, or extended warranties, for products purchased using the card. When looking for a cheap used laptop check credit card policies and use the card that offers the best protection.
If buyers don't have credit cards that offer such perks, find one! Look online for special offers from credit cards that are more consumer-friendly and help with buying online. These additional warranty policies can come in hand if merchandise is defective.
Whichever path buyers take, from eBay to Craigslist to large used notebook computer resellers, buying a refurbished laptop online makes financial sense. Search out every advertised deal, both online and in print, to find the best price and the best value. From college students to stay-at-home-moms to small businesses, the savings and variety offered by large resellers can meet any computer-purchaser's needs without breaking the bank.
To learn more about buying a reconditioned notebook computer with a warranty for better buyer protection, please read Cheap Used Laptops With Computer Warranty to save money, frustration, and time.
Melanie Zoltan - Melanie Zoltan is a former college professor and administrator who has written for About.com, PCWorld, Brain Child, Thomson Gale, and ...
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