Money-savvy Brits would buy refurbished tech items - like mobile phone or laptop

07 April 2023 , 08:00

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A third of Brits own a refurbished mobile phone, and a quarter plan to buy one (Image: Tomasz Skoczen/Getty Images)

Money-savvy Brits estimate they could save over £100 – by buying a refurbished second-hand phone, rather than a new one, a study has found.

Mobile phones topped a list of tech items that adults would be most willing to buy refurbished – with 32% already owning a pre-owned phone, while a quarter (24%) plan to purchase one in the future.

Other popular pre-loved items include clothing, furniture, and garden products, along with tech devices such as laptops, computers, and televisions.

The cost-of-living crisis has played a big part in consumers buying refurbished items, as 47% of 2,000 adults polled said that brand-new items are simply too expensive – while the same number believe buying refurbished items is more eco-friendly.

However, those under the age of 25 are almost twice as likely to buy refurbished items now, as rising costs affect people's disposable incomes, than those in the older “Boomer” generation (37% versus 19%).

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It comes as nearly two-thirds of all those polled (64%) say they have previously bought a pre-owned item – but this rises to 69% of Gen Z, aged 25 and under.

Money-savvy Brits would buy refurbished tech items - like mobile phone or laptop

Nearly half feel like buying new items is too expensive, while the same number think buying refurbished is more eco-friendly (SWNS)

The research was commissioned by Vodafone UK, which has launched an extended range of refurbished devices after noticing searches for reconditioned phones was up by 39%.

Chief commercial officer, Max Taylor, said: “More people than ever are now considering refurbished devices so they can get a great value phone, and be friendlier to the planet.”

The study also found that, as the cost-of-living remains a worry, 57% of adults are actively looking for savvy ways to save on big purchases – and estimate they could save an average of £113 by buying a refurbished phone over brand new.

When looking at motivators for shopping for pre-loved items, 37% would consider a refurbished mobile phone to be more sustainable, according to the OnePoll.com study – while 47% do it to cut costs.

The research also revealed key factors when buying a refurbished device, with almost half (47%) wanting the item to be in pristine condition.

Coming with a warranty (47%), a battery guarantee included (39%), and above all, saving money (59%), were also on the list.

But for the 42% who are refurbished-averse, some of the top reasons they wouldn't purchase a second-hand device include quality of the device (65%), concerns it won’t last as long (45%), and worrying about data breaches (27%).

Kester Mann, from tech authority CCS Insight, said: “It’s great to hear that Vodafone is extending its range of refurbished smartphones at a time of growing financial strain on UK households – buying pre-owned offers significant cost savings.

“Refurbs also promote more sustainable behaviour by reducing e-waste, something that is becoming increasingly important to consumers.”