Small business owners know how important it is to stay under budget when making business-minded purchases. After all, the second most common reason businesses fail is lack of funds, behind launching a product without a strong market to buy it.
This is a clear call to action for small businesses to tighten budgets and account for every dollar spent. The question most small business owners ask before making a purchase is, “Will this buy increase profit?”
When it comes to tech, specifically computers, the answer is always yes. Well, within reason. Going out and purchasing a pallet of new Macs may not be the best small business move.
However, there are smart ways to buy tech, and that’s where refurbished computers comes into play. The following is your definitive guide if you’re considering the refurbished route.
Refurbished Computer Benefits
- The price is right. You can reduce your startup costs by making smart, cost-saving decisions. With that in mind, one of the biggest benefits of buying refurbished computers is the price. Price is always a factor for small business owners looking to upgrade tech. The price is certainly within most small business budgets, and this has made refurbished computers kind of a thing right now. This is quite possibly how you landed on this very article.
- Easy to fix and troubleshoot. Another big benefit of buying refurbished computers is that there are plenty of people around to fix them, including your resident IT guru. Buying the latest and greatest laptop or desktop PC can lead to a number of logistical issues. You’ll need to send to the manufacturer, or deal with not so stellar customer support from the place you bought the new computer.
- You’re getting what you need. New computers do serve up better performance via high level CPUs, RAM, etc., but most small businesses don’t really need all this. A refurbished computer has all the bells and whistles. They are just a year or two older. You may be reading this article on a two-year old computer right now with no troubles. Think like that when it comes to buying computers for your business.
Potential Pain Points for Small Business Owners
Successful small business owners always examine the benefits and pain points when making a decision, especially one that involves money. There are a few pain points to consider when looking at refurbished computers for you and your team.
First, you will not be getting the latest model. This is not a huge issue, but does carry a few potential performance issues. For example, new computer models often have updated performance that combats later model issues. However, a computer that doesn’t hold battery life as well could be worth the significant decrease in cost.
Warranty is another pain point for small business owners. A refurbished computer may come with a limited warranty, and there also may be small scratches and a bit of damage, depending on the computer you choose. That being said, a bit of research and you can easily find refurbished computers that are almost new with decent warranties attached.
And lastly, be sure that you invest in disaster recovery solutions for your business to ensure you never lose valuable data due to downtime and other issues. According to Flexential, an IT solutions provider, “In today’s advanced technological climate, IT disruptions are inevitable. Common causes of downtime include hardware failure, loss of power, software failure, data corruption, external security breaches, accidental user error and malicious threats. Legacy technology systems can also create security risks for your business.”
What’s the Difference Between Used Computers and Refurbished Ones?
This is an important aspect to understand! Used doesn’t always mean refurbished. When you see a used computer up for grabs online, it means that an owner has used the computer for a long period of time. If they were good to it, you can definitely get a decent priced used computer for your small business.
But used computers are sold under, “no returns” pretenses. This is what makes refurbished PCs a better choice. The retailer or manufacturer gives the refurbished title to a laptop or desktop that has been returned and refurbished for resale, usually online.
When searching for the perfect PC for your small business, be sure to look for the word “refurbished” in the item title or description. Also, have a look at the reviews and ratings of the seller, because it may be a third party reselling the computer online.
Top Tips for Buying a Refurbished Computer
With the above information under your small business owner belt, let’s talk tips for buying a refurbished computer.
- Know the return policies on refurbished items, especially if buying on an ecommerce site. For instance, Apple and a few other tech companies offer a 2-week return on refurbished items. This is not always the case, so be sure to know what you’re getting into.
- Check if your credit card covers a refurbished computer purchase. This is common for some credit card companies, but you’ll have to check if your specific credit card covers the purchase of refurbished computers.
- Be on the search for refurbished computers with longer warranties. This is a good practice! It essentially, gives you wiggle room if the refurbished PC you bought goes belly up after before 30 to 90 days of use.
Wrapping Up . . .
If you’re a small business owner who takes the business budget seriously, use the above information and tips to buy affordable refurbished computers. There is certainly no need to purchase the latest and greatest tech for you and your team, especially if growth is right around the corner, meaning more upgrade needs.
