Refurbished devices allow you to save money and consume more responsibly. But what do the grades A, A+, B and C assigned to them correspond to? Follow the guide for a successful purchase!
With inflation and the resulting decline in purchasing power, but also the climate crisis which forces us to limit our consumption, refurbished goods are on the rise! Indeed, refurbishing an electronic product that has already been used (smartphone, tablet, computer, household appliances, etc.) gives it a second life. Attention, a reconditioned device is very different from a device sold second-hand because it is supposed to have been checked and restored to working order. Previously, some merchants tended to abuse this designation to sell second-hand products, without any real overhaul or repair. According to the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (the famous DGCCRF), no less than 62% of the 84 stores and online sales sites checked in 2020 and 2021 by its inspectors did not comply with the rules (see our article).
To address this problem, the government has introduced the decree February 17, 2022 relating to the conditions of use of the terms “reconditioned” and “reconditioned product”. Since then, to take advantage of the term refurbished, a product must have passed tests to verify that it corresponds to the legal safety requirements and the use that the consumer is entitled to expect.. Clearly, it must offer a use similar to that of a new product. In addition to that, the reconditioner performs a reset, that is to say, it completely erases all the data of the previous owner that the device contained, in addition to the product benefiting from a guarantee. So many advantages! In addition, whether it is smartphones, tablets, computers or any other electronic product, refurbished devices are often categorized according to grades – A+, A, B and C – in order to accurately indicate their state to the consumer. Here’s how to find your way among the different rating grades.
Scoring grades: a clue to the cosmetic condition of the device
Contrary to what one might think, the grades of refurbished products are absolutely not used to assess their operation, but their cosmetic condition. Scratches on the screen or on the hull for a smartphone, partially erased keys on the keyboard, scratches on the case for a laptop, damaged packaging… So many details which are important at the time of purchase, but which in no way presumes real functional abilities. However, it is not because a device shows signs of wear that it will be less reliable or less efficient than an immaculate device, because both have successfully passed the same tests. The classification of a refurbished product depends on these three factors:
- The number of cosmetic imperfections it has – for example scratches, scuffs or other marks.
- The extent to which the product was used by its previous owner – light, routine or heavy duty.
- The packaging it comes in.
Prices vary according to the grade of reconditioning of the product, which is why it is essential to take it into account when making your purchase. The grades go from A to C: A is assimilated to a very good state, B to a good state and C to a fair state. We also sometimes find the grade A+, which designates products without any trace of wear. The lower the grade, the more affordable the device. AT note that the different grades are not based on any official grid and that the rating is left to the sole discretion of the seller: the same product can be considered grade A+ by one reconditioner and grade A by another.
A-grade
The letter A+ indicates that the product is impeccable and shows no signs of wear. On the other hand, grade A promises an excellent cosmetic appearance and the product will hardly show any signs of previous use except those of light use. For example, a refurbished grade A smartphone will have minimal scratches on the casing. Likewise, a laptop will look like new, with minimal scuffs and marks on the lid and keyboard keys. Grades A and A+ are perfectly suited for people who are looking for products that are close to new from an aesthetic point of view but significantly cheaper and more ecological.
B-grade
Grade B refurbished devices show noticeable signs of wear, such as scratches on the edge and/or on the shell, light scratches or screen printing of the keys. Small smudges on the screen are normally not visible when turned on. This grade is perfectly suited for small budgets with a few aesthetic concessions.
C-grade
Grade C products have visible cosmetic issues including larger scratches, signs of wear on the case or lid, and dents. They are less expensive than Grade A and B products, making them ideal for users who need a new phone or laptop but don’t have a big budget, for those who have need a device for occasional uses without having to break the bank or who absolutely does not remember the aesthetic aspect and puts above all on performance.
Indications on the state: pay attention to the titles
Some marketplaces, including the well-known ones, use different terms to categorize devices, but they generally correspond to all four grades. It is important to remember that, since the publication of the decree, sellers are prohibited from using the names “like new”, “new” or “new” so as not to mislead the consumer and make him think that he acquires a new product.
Among the online sales sites for reconditioning, Backmarket is one of the most popular with Internet users due to the quality of the products it offers. On the site, the grade “Perfect condition” corresponds to grade A+, “Very good condition” to A, “Good condition” to B and “Correct condition” to C. On Cdiscount, “Excellent condition” is equivalent to A, ” Very good condition” at B and “Fair condition” at C. Ditto at Amazon, with the grades “Excellent condition”, “Good condition” and “Fair condition”. Finally, Rakuten displays the levels “Perfect condition”, “Very good condition”, “Good condition” and “Fair condition”.
Before making a purchase, it is important to check that the site is reliable and that it displays the legal notices and guarantees, especially if it is a third-party reseller, i.e. when it is not the platform itself that sells the product presented, but a reseller that uses its marketplace. In case of abuse or problem with a trader, it is absolutely necessary to report it on the platform Signal Conso of the government.