Laptops Are More
Affordable Then Ever
Laptops are more affordable then ever. Prices have dropped enough to make laptops available to most consumers who need a mobile computer for school, work or personal use. Even though they are more affordable, buying a laptop is still a major investment.
One way to soften the financial blow is by purchasing a used or refurbished laptop from either a private seller, a retail vendor or a liquidator who is clearing out off-lease laptops. While the price may be lower, there are many things consumers must learn before buying a used laptop. Shoppers must: know the seller, know the products, and know where to buy.
Know the Seller
There are only three types of used or refurbished laptop sellers: retailers, private sellers, or scammers. It's imperative to know from whom you are buying because that determines how you approach the buying process. You deal with a private seller very differently from an online retailer. Of course, if the online merchant is a reputable e-commerce site (some examples listed below), then you shouldn't need to worry about this, but there are some great deals to be found online if you stay educated and wander outside the standard computer stores.
There are several red flags to watch out for when determining with whom you are dealing (and if you should deal with them at all!): -Check the feedback. Is there a feedback system on the site? If the seller seems to be a merchant, do they have consistent track record providing the product you want to purchase? If the seller seems to be an individual, do they have more than one model for sale? It would be unusual for a private seller should to have more than one model for sale at a time – if they do, be suspicious.
-Check the payment method. Are the payment terms odd or inconvenient? Do they only accept Western Union? (Never send money via WU to someone you don't know. There is no recourse if you have trouble, and scammers know this!) -Check the seller's location. If the seller is international, this shouldn't be an immediate red flag, but if they are international and offer free shipping, this is a major red flag. This wouldn't be cost efficient for anyone but a scammer... more>>>