Starting and running a business requires a significant investment, and it makes sense to be frugal with expenses. While we all like certain things, you have to be careful when those things are expensive items for your business, such as hardware for your project’s networks.
There’s a way to get
your business’s hardware in perfect condition while saving a lot of money. That option is refurbished hardware. Obviously, you want the best for your business, and you might not be very confident in refurbished products at first. But do you really know what refurbished hardware is? Would you buy it? Would you sell your company’s unused equipment?
Let's take a look at the most frequently asked questions about refurbished hardware in Spain.
Here are the seven questions that commonly come up about refurbished hardware.
What exactly does "refurbished" mean?
Refurbished hardware is hardware that has been previously purchased and restored to “like-new” condition before being sold. There are many reasons why a product might be considered refurbished—often, these are products that have simply been opened and returned to the supplier. In the worst-case scenario, there was a hardware issue that required repair or component replacement.
In most cases, you won’t even notice why it’s refurbished—it might be as minor as a scratch or a dent.
What are the main benefits of buying refurbished hardware?
Refurbished hardware is, of course, cheaper than new equipment. That’s the main benefit that’s immediately obvious. You can typically find hardware that works perfectly with
discounts of up to 90% off the list price. It also supports companies’ sustainability efforts, since you’re helping prevent that equipment from ending up in the trash.
Are There Any Risks to Buying Refurbished Hardware?
The biggest concern when buying refurbished equipment is that you don’t know where it came from or how it’s been used. For all intents and purposes, you’ll find out once you’ve been using it for a while. But the best thing you can do to avoid these risks is to trust a
reputable refurbished hardware supplier that you can contact if you have any issues with your device. Be sure to review the terms and conditions, warranties, and customer service.
Is refurbished hardware eco-friendly?
Although it is not technically “green,” purchasing refurbished equipment gives technology a second life, eliminating the need for new equipment and thereby
reducing the amount of new resources used and the amount of waste generated.
Could your company's hardware equipment have any value?
Of course. Technology is advancing at a breakneck pace, and many products aren't designed to last a lifetime, but rather to last a couple of years. Because of this, if your old networking equipment is in good condition, it's a good candidate for the refurbished market. Keep in mind that often, all it takes is replacing a few components to get it back to peak performance. Furthermore—and this is very important—
most companies only use about 30% of their electronic equipment’s capacity. So it’s relatively easy for any company to put your equipment to good use, allowing you to recoup your investment in hardware.
If you sell your company's equipment, who can guarantee that the information it contains is safe?
As long as you work with a reputable, high-quality company, you can rest assured. Make sure the company complies with the strictest enterprise-level data protection protocols and uses
industry-leading data erasure hardware. Always ask for certificates and guarantees. MercadoIT works with Blancco, which ensures complete data erasure.
How can you make sure you won't be in for a surprise with your refurbished device?
Don't assume that refurbished hardware products will be defective; consider that
buying refurbished is a smarter choice.
The tips for finding quality hardware are straightforward: Always choose a certified company with experience in this field that offers warranties and related services—and, if possible, one that you have a personal relationship with and can visit in person at some point.
The warranty is a key factor here. You should have a warranty or the option to return the item within a certain period if it doesn’t work as expected.
Choose a reputable company
—whether you’re shopping online or in a physical store, the terms should be the same and the service just as professional.
So consider whether it’s really necessary to buy all your company’s network equipment new, or if you can take advantage of equipment with the same features at much lower prices—and do the environment a favor at the same time.
