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Recovering a
used cellular
phone and supplying
a
refurbished
cellular phone
for reuse is
critically important
because of the
growing quantity
of waste generated
by these products
and the many
hazardous substances
they contain
(including a
number of persistent,
bioaccumulative
toxins, or PBTS).
A refurbished
cellular phone
is the need
of the hour
as many retired
cell phones
get stored away
in closets and
drawers.
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A refurbished
mobile phone
should,
in all respects,
work exactly
as a new
phone. This
is probably
more likely
to be the
case when
the refurbished
mobile phone
does
not have
many complex
features,
such as
a camera,
personal
digital
assistant
and Bluetooth
capabilities.
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Cell phone
customers
routinely
upgrade
their mobile
phones every
couple of
years or
so, and
the old
ones have
to go somewhere.
Some are
discarded,
if they
are no longer
compatible
with the
cellular
system,
but many
are sent
back to
the factory
to be refurbished.
This is
also the
case for
phones that
malfunction.
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Whether buying a
refurbished mobile
phone is a good
idea depends greatly
on the manufacturer.
Reputable makers
usually produce
a
good product, but
this may not be
the case with "off"
brands.
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A consumer should
also always ask
his or her cellular
service provider
if they have many
refurbished phones
returned for malfunction.
Sometimes, the manufacturer
will provide a warranty
of some description,
but the consumer
should insist on
one from the service
provider.
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The question of
getting a refurbished
mobile phone may
be crucial for someone
who needs a phone
at a moment's notice
and cannot afford
to risk having a
refurbished mobile
phone malfunction.
On the flip side
of that coin are
elderly customers
who have a good
phone that they
like.
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Many elderly customers
don't want to have
to learn how
to use their phones
all over again,
and if a refurbished
mobile phone in
their preferred
model is available,
they may want one.
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Price is another
consideration.
No customer should
be asked to pay
rate to rate price
for a refurbished
mobile phone. This
is not fair. Even
if a phone has many
features, if it
is refurbished,
the customer should
not have to pay
what she would for
a new phone. However,
cellular service
providers are aware
of this, and they
often offer a refurbished
mobile phone as
one of the free
models for upgrade
or for signing a
service contract.
The main things a customer
needs to consider when
thinking about a refurbished
mobile phone, then,
are quality,
warranty and
price. If these
are resolved to his
satisfaction, then buying
a refurbished mobile
phone may be a sensible
purchase.
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Shopping
Buying
Refurbished Mobile Phone
