Refurbished electronics can look as good as new and function perfectly – but because they may have been used, damaged and repaired, they are often significantly cheaper than their brand-new counterparts. The term “refurbished” is a catch-all term for products that have been returned to a manufacturer and are completely restored to the original condition and sold at a reduced price. But sometimes the term is rather loosely used. Buying a second-hand iPad, phone, Kindle or other item through an online marketplace, even when it is described as “refurbished”, is inadvisable. And it is very different from buying the items direct from the manufacturer. This is because refurbished gadgets sold by the manufacturer come with a warranty – giving valuable protection should something go wrong. The savings are not to be scoffed at. For instance, Apple offers refurbished products on its website with discounts of as much as 25pc on everything from iPads and iPods to MacBooks. Apple backs up all its refurbished goods with a one-year warranty and the option of purchasing the AppleCare Protection Plan for a further three years’ reassurance.

The Sony Outlet (outlet.sony.co.uk) offers discounts of as much as 50pc off electronics such as televisions, camcorders and digital cameras. Just like its brand-new products, these refurbished ones are sold with the standard manufacturer’s warranty from Sony of up to two years. If it is an e‑reader that you are after, check out amazon.co.uk to save up to a third on its Kindle products. The pre-owned readers have been tested and certified to look and work like new, come with a 12-month warranty and are eligible for a full refund within 30 days of the day you received the item. If you are considering buying a used or refurbished item from somewhere other than the manufacturer, beware. Display models (which may have been put through hundreds of customer demonstrations, for instance) can also be labelled “refurbished”. While broken parts should have been replaced with new ones, there’s no guarantee that they will have been. Your rights and protections Sellers – both on the high street and online – have a duty under the Sale of Goods Act to make sure that the product is as described, of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose.

Sylvia Rook of the Trading Standards Institute said: “If you purchase a refurbished gadget, you would expect it to be as good as new and without fault.” Best Light Bulbs For Eye StrainShe added: “Just because it is not brand new doesn’t change your right to a fair deal.” Weight Loss Food Delivery BostonWhat’s more, online shoppers have further protection through the new Consumer Contracts Regulations, which came into effect earlier this month and replaced the rules on “distance selling”. Tiny Red Bugs On Patio FurnitureUnder the new scheme, if you make a purchase online you are entitled to a “cooling-off” period of 14 days from the day your goods arrive, during which you can change your mind and ask for a refund, no questions asked.

If a retailer neglects to inform you of these rights, the cooling-off period is extended to 12 months and 14 days. Consumers who pay with a credit card have added security on their purchases, but only if the items cost more than £100 and less than £30,000. “Shoppers are protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, which means the credit card company is 'jointly and severally’ liable with the retailer if something you buy is faulty, not as described, or fails to be delivered,” Ms Rook pointed out. “This means that should something go wrong, shoppers can make a claim against the credit card provider rather than the retailer,” she said. Using your card to pay a small part of the total bill gives you protection, which is worth remembering if you do not want to put the whole of the bill on your card. “With the 'chargeback’ system, whenever there is a problem with an item the bank can do a claim on behalf of a customer through the payment provider such as Visa, MasterCard or American Express.”

Unlike the credit card protection scheme there is no minimum or maximum limit on the purchase. However, you must apply for compensation within 120 days of the date the goods were due to arrive. Whenever you receive a refurbished item, make sure it comes with all the relevant accessories such as chargers, adapters and cables. And a warranty is crucial. A good refurbishment programme has at least a 90-day manufacturer’s warranty on the product, but better ones have a full year or more. Those that offer the option of purchasing extended service agreements (beyond the automatic warranty) show they stand behind their refurbishment process. Always consider the returns policy. Some of the biggest savings on refurbished electronics More: iPhone 5s for £150 at 'fast sale' auctions More money saving tips, tricks and ideas in our weekly online newsletter - sign up hereApple-Bay Limited is an Independent Apple Repair Centre based in Mytchett, Camberley (Surrey). We are Apple Mac Computers specialists.

Our in-house Apple Certified Macintosh Technician will check your machine and will provide a FREE Diagnostic. We aim to give a full report within 24 to 48 Hs. We are in Mytchett, Camberley – Surrey. However, we also provide services to our customers located in Berkshire, Hampshire and London. We offer affordable Apple Mac Computers (second hand in superb conditions), call today to check what we’ve got in stock as sometimes we do not have all our stock on display here on the website. If you call 01252 375167, you will know what we’ve got available for you. Cheap laptops for students, for home users, just for browsing the internet or Apple Computers for Graphic Designers, Video Editors, Website Designers, Music Producers. We’ve got them all. If you need an iMac (Desktop) Mac Pro, MacBook Pro (Laptop) do not hesitate to get in touch today. Office Opening Hours: Monday – Friday from 9am to 5pm or info@apple-bay.co.ukUpdate: This post has been updated to reflect changes in product lines, pricing and refurb availability.

Every now and again I find myself in an Apple Store, and when I see customers shopping for things like Macs and iPads, I want to shake them and cry, "Wait! You can get these for less!"That's because Apple's online store carries a wide selection of refurbished products, and although that term is often equated with "used" and/or "bad," Apple's refurbs are quite literally good as new.Indeed, when it comes to Apple products, I see no reason to choose anything but refurbs. I say this not as a gushing Apple fanboy, but rather as someone who thinks most Apple hardware is overpriced -- and sees refurbs as a rare opportunity to get it for less.Here's a great example. Head to the Apple store's refurbished iPad section and you'll find the iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi + 64GB) for $419 shipped --a full $80 less than what you'd pay for a new one.Likewise, you can score a refurbished 32GB iPad Mini 2 (Wi-Fi + cellular) for $369, versus $449 for a new one. And shipping is free.Now let's talk Macs. A current-gen 13.3-inch MacBook Pro could run you $1,499, but you can save $230 by opting for its refurbished counterpart.

You can also score a MacBook Air for as little as $759, 15 percent off the price of new.Sure, except for all the inevitable catches. What exactly do you give up by opting for refurbished Apple gear?Nothing.Apple's refurbs come with a new outer shell and new battery, meaning you get same-as-new appearance and performance. Better still, you get the same one-year warranty Apple extends to new hardware. There is literally no downside.However, there's one small cosmetic difference: Refurbs come in nondescript cardboard boxes, not the fancy white ones afforded to new gear. Big whoop, if you ask me. (It's an issue only if you're giving something as a gift.)Apple's refurb offerings and inventory change over time, so you can't always get what you want. But I think it's the only logical place to start your shopping. I've purchased several refurbished products this way, and every one of them arrived in perfect, like-new condition. Consequently, when it comes to Apple gear, I can't see any reason to pay extra for the new stuff.