Buying Reconditioned IT Hardware: 5 Tips from the Industry Pros

Did you know there's a simple way to save money and reduce e-waste? Choose reconditioned IT hardware over new! This also frees you from supply chain challenges and chip shortages. No more long wait times!

Reconditioned IT equipment has had a life before arriving at your doorstep. Maybe it was rarely used by the initial owner, or maybe it had a heavy workload. It may be old enough to need an overhaul to make it usable again. A lack of OEM warranty may also be a deterrent.

But using reconditioned IT hardware has tremendous benefits. You can reduce your carbon footprint and increase cost savings! Experience aftermarket warranties, customizable third-party maintenance (TPM) contracts, and excellent customer service. All while extending the life of your technology!

Purchasing reconditioned IT hardware, instead of new, saves money and reduces e-waste. Never-ending supply chain challenges create long lead cycles on new IT products. The continuing global semiconductor shortages will extend into 2024. We offer refurbished hardware solutions that are available to ship today. Used IT equipment has had a life before arriving at your doorstep. It could be an open box or a trial device with very few hours of operation. Most would have been in use for the entire OEM projected lifespan. The original factory warranty may not be transferable to you as the new owner.

Reconditioned IT hardware can reduce your carbon footprint and save money. Better aftermarket warranties and maintenance are available to extend the product's lifecycle. Read on to learn how to select the right partner.

What is Reconditioned IT hardware?

Refurbished IT resources are pre-owned IT equipment restored to its original factory settings.

Third-party maintenance providers certify, test these items, refurbish them, and provide a warranty.

The reconditioned IT market is growing as more companies follow green IT policies.

Businesses are placing an emphasis on environmental sustainability and decreasing capital expenditures.

Questions To Ask Your Vendor When Buying Reconditioned Hardware?

Hardware is an "inevitable evil" in the IT industry. It's shifting — it's a moving ball. To find top-quality vendors, you may ask the tough questions. Managers should prepare questions for each unprecedented situation in advance.

1. How long have you been in business?

A company with a pretty website may not be the ideal hardware source for you. In the hardware industry, total novices are not the safest bet. CXtec has been the largest secondary-market hardware distributor in North America since 1995. The company has been a recognized partner for organizations in various industries.

2. Do you hold any accreditations, such as ISO?

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a non-profit organization. The primary aim is to develop quality standards for goods, services, and systems. It offers many types of certifications. CXtec has an ISO 9001 certification. This certification applies to acquiring, testing, configuring, selling, and distributing refurbished data centers.

3. Are there any service records available?

Most businesses maintain a track record of their equipment lifecycle. These records determine the item's condition. This includes whether the item has been cared for in the past. Or if the product has any recurring issues that may cause you problems in the future.

It would help if you examined any significant gaps in the machine's service records. You'll want to know if the previous owner never repaired it or if he lost the documents.

4. How long does it take you to send an order?

You may need expedited shipping, especially if you foresee imminent hardware requirements. Inquire about products in stock and ready to ship and how they restock their inventory.

We hope the above questions help you choose the best hardware vendor. If a dependable provider is your best bet, call CXtec to speak with one of our experts.

Helpful Tips from the Pros

More businesses are purchasing reconditioned IT equipment to reduce their IT expenses. But, if you're new to the refurbished IT equipment industry, you might be unclear where to begin. You can stretch your budget. Yet, it will affect your day-to-day operations and business reputation. As a responsible IT admin, selecting the correct vendor to partner with is a critical task.

Here are five suggestions by industry pros:

1. Only buy refurbished IT equipment from a reputable company

When looking for an IT refurbished hardware vendor for the long term, relying on a reputable brand is vital. You may get reconditioned IT equipment from a company that has been in business for many years. This ensures transparent processes and time-tested standards to provide consistent customer service.

It also implies they are familiar with the reconditioned IT equipment market. They have the knowledge you need to make the best decisions.

Inquire about the timeframe a potential dealer has been selling refurbished products. Determine whether they serve similar consumers of company size and equipment requirements. Go through their website to examine their refurbishing process, quality standards, and customer service.

2. Only buy tested products

Always buy tested IT hardware from a reputable vendor. Refurbished IT hardware goes through rigorous quality check tests. This ensures the component and system dependability throughout the refurbishment process. Inspect each component to ensure secure data deletion, longer life, and increased performance. The equipment must provide value to business operations through superior performance.

3. Read the fine print on any warranties and return policies

Always review policy specifics about protection and exchanging equipment. You should ensure that policies are consistent across the board for purchasing items.

Most products come with a better aftermarket warranty than brand-new equipment. The length of the warranty period depends on the refurbishing vendor. Buying from a reputable refurbishment firm like CXtec is beneficial. The guarantee matches or exceeds the warranty duration offered by the OEM. This ensures that your IT products offer the following:

- Best quality

- Optimal performance

- Dependability as new products.

4. Purchase from the same supplier/vendor (when possible)

You're inviting chaos if you buy different equipment from different vendors. This leads to an array of documents, warranties, contact information, discount pricing, etc.

Establish a relationship with one reliable provider for your refurbished equipment requirements. CXtec will handle all the legwork for you.

Since 1995, CXtec has been a proven partner for enterprises in various industries. The company is one of the largest secondary-market hardware vendors in North America. equal2new®, our unique brand of certified pre-owned equipment, is the leading choice for many companies. This program offers authentic, cost-effective, high-quality, and trustworthy refurbished IT equipment.

5. Ensure that you seek proper support services

Ensure the TPM provider gives you complete support via a specialized team of well-trained, brand-agnostic experts. The team can help you with speedy inspections and troubleshooting of errors.

Please review the vendor's response and support schedules beforehand. This will ensure they reply to your inquiries.

6. Know their refurbishment process

Engage with a provider who follows industry standards for refurbishment. This involves being open about the process they use. The vendor should inspect the product and accept only the best for resale.

They should also do the following tasks:

- Necessary repairs

- Test ports

- Reset the operating system

- Confirm that all auxiliary components are included.

Every reconditioned item at CXtec receives quality care and treatment. This happens at our 70,000-square-foot ESD-protected Technology Certification and Distribution Center (TCDC).

These processes ensure your purchases match your demands. Also, the equipment is ready to be installed in your network and performs well.

7. Examine the contents of the box

Examine every item in the shipment boxes carrying reconditioned equipment. Ensure that you receive all the components you paid for. Think of this as a process of buying new equipment. For example, check charging equipment, earphones, instructions manual, packaging, and so on.

Ensure consistency across all devices by providing that all attachments are standard.

Tons of Organizations Are Using Quality Refurbished Hardware

Here’s one last thing to keep in mind. Many companies worldwide are buying and using quality refurbished IT equipment.

Beyond small-and medium-sized businesses (SMB) and non-profit organizations. Fortune 500 Companies are taking advantage of the benefits of pre-owned IT equipment. This includes hospitals, schools, financial institutions, tech companies, and the government.

Think about it. Hospitals are trusting quality refurbished IT hardware for their successful vital operations. If they can do it, couldn’t you also trust refurbished IT equipment?

Why You Can Rely On CXtec For Maximum Value & Higher ROI

CXtec offers high-quality, reconditioned servers, networking, voice, and storage equipment. We ensure that you get a higher return on investment, reliability, and stability. You can rely upon us as we have over four decades of experience in the reconditioned hardware market.

CXtec equal2new products have globally assisted our customers across many industries. We have met their IT and sustainability goals with high-quality pre-owned equipment.

Companies can save 40 percent to 90 percent off manufacturer list pricing. This allows them to manage their IT spending better. equal2new also offers an exceptional lifetime warranty. This includes an advance replacement for quick troubleshooting.

We are a trusted partner for businesses of all sizes in North America. Our industry expertise spans healthcare, education, manufacturing, and many more.

CXtec strengthens your team's capacity to complete projects on time and within budget. Our team has years of experience and has always met project deadlines for many IT projects. We assist our customers in maintaining their IT infrastructure. We do this by carrying out stringent quality checks and performance testing. This assists in unlocking the potential and most value of their technology investment.