This is something that occurred to me while I was browsing on eBay over the last few days.
I buy quite a lot of 2nd-hand tech'.
I've recently bought a used PC monitor, keyboard and mouse and a used laptop and they've all been "refurbished" and they've all been totally indistinguishable from a new item.
My own phone (a GS4) is two years old, lives in a slim-armor case with a screen-protector and it is absolutely spotless.
While browsing on eBay, I've noticed that phones are often described as "Grade A condition" but then the description goes on to state that the phone has scratches on the screen, chips on the bezel and sometimes even a cracked screen or an obviously damaged or discoloured fascia.
I can understand how it might be expected that the rear case or bezel will be scratched but it seems a bit optimistic to describe anything more as "Grade A condition".
Do I have unrealistic expectations and is it really normal for a used phone to look like it's been kicked around a school playground?
I buy quite a lot of 2nd-hand tech'.
I've recently bought a used PC monitor, keyboard and mouse and a used laptop and they've all been "refurbished" and they've all been totally indistinguishable from a new item.
My own phone (a GS4) is two years old, lives in a slim-armor case with a screen-protector and it is absolutely spotless.
While browsing on eBay, I've noticed that phones are often described as "Grade A condition" but then the description goes on to state that the phone has scratches on the screen, chips on the bezel and sometimes even a cracked screen or an obviously damaged or discoloured fascia.
I can understand how it might be expected that the rear case or bezel will be scratched but it seems a bit optimistic to describe anything more as "Grade A condition".
Do I have unrealistic expectations and is it really normal for a used phone to look like it's been kicked around a school playground?
) but in most cases alcohol scuppers my plans