Used vs. refurbished

When looking for tech that's better for your wallet and the planet, you may come across various terms like used, pre-owned, or secondhand. However, there is a significant difference between a used device and a refurbished one, and it's important to understand that difference before making a purchase.

Used Devices

When you buy a "used" or "secondhand" device, you're buying it in the condition the previous owner left it in. There is no guarantee that it will work as intended, and you may find issues like battery damage, scratches, or even private data left on the device. Used tech is typically sold without any sort of return policy or warranty, and you may miss out on a recall for a faulty part.

Refurbished Devices

A pre-owned refurbished device, on the other hand, has been repaired to like-new quality by expert technicians. The battery has been tested, major dents and scratches have been repaired, and damaged parts have been replaced. Once the refurbishment process is complete, the device functions just like new and has been tested for safety. This is the kind of device you'll find on Treecard.

Our Commitment to Quality

The devices we sell are also thoroughly tested to make sure they are fully functional, and sellers are monitored through secret shopping, onsite visits, and customer reviews. Every device comes with a 30-day return policy and a 1-year warranty, all for the price of free.

How we categorize refurbished devices

The devices we sell are categorised by cosmetic grades to make sure you know exactly what to expect when your device arrives. Depending on the grade of the device you purchase, you can expect either a little bit of cosmetic wear and tear or none at all.

• Grade: Fair - May have micro-scratches which could be slightly noticeable when the screen is turned on. Has visible scratches and/or dents.
• Grade: Good - Perfect screen condition. May have micro-scratches visible from 20 inches away on the body.
• Grade: Excellent - Perfect screen condition. May have barely visible micro-scratches, not noticeable from 8 inches away on the body.

No matter the cosmetic grade, every device functions like new.

Why Refurbished is Better

Refurbished is not only better than used, but it's also better than new. When you purchase a device from Treecard, you're not only getting a like-new device for significantly less than the cost of a new one, but you're also reducing your environmental impact. On average, a refurbished device has 91.6% less carbon emissions compared to a new device, and it uses significantly less water, raw materials, and e-waste. Refurbished tech is not just guaranteed to work like new, but it's also better for the planet.

Now that you know the difference between refurbished and used, you're ready to make an informed decision - browse our bestsellers!