University News Last updated 12 September
Has your phone or laptop broken during ‘Second Hand September’? Well, you can still take part in the campaign to only buy second hand over 30 days!
UK households and businesses produce 1.45 million tonnes of electrical waste each year, with more than a third being small appliances such as irons and kettles. So, if you’re moving into student accommodation, now is a great time to check out second hand devices to get a bargain.
Birmingham City University (BCU) Senior Technician Gurdial Singh has advice for picking up safe and good quality second hand technology.
1. How to check condition
Any reputable retailer will allow you to look and handle a pre-owned item before buying. This gives you an opportunity to check for damage, such as scratches, dents and corrosion. Beyond the surface or light damage, could cause still issues further down the line. Give items a gentle shake, too, so you can listen for any rattling that may indicate loose components.
Look at the label to make sure it’s not been tampered with and matches the product. If buying online, ask the seller to send more photos, as well as a short video of the item working. Reviews of online sellers can also reassure or warn you of who you’re about to buy from.
2. Too good to be true?
Fake tech continues to flood the market, but there are some simple ways to spot it. Firstly, check products have the correct operating system. Apple products, like iPads and iPhones, should be on the Apple IOS, but if you see a different operating system on an item, stay away! Apple products can be checked online by entering the device’s serial number, which a seller should be able to give to you.
Check logos and devices against online images of them as well as what materials are used. Fakes often use plastic around charging ports and feel much lighter compared to their real counterparts. Look at what other sellers are pricing similar products at to check that you’re not getting a deal that’s too good to be true.
3. Look out for refurbished tech
Choose refurbished technology over standard second hand items. While these may cost slightly more, you’ll often get a guarantee, and the devices will have been thoroughly tested and repaired. Refurbished technology usually comes with condition grades from A-D, so you can find your dream device to match your budget while being confident it’s a genuine, working device.
BCU’s Department of Engineering runs a Repair Lab to reduce the amount of electrical waste going to landfill by giving broken items a new lease of life. Students and staff can learn practical skills, including how to safely disassemble and reassemble a product, diagnose faults and discover how devices work, all supported by BCU Engineering technicians.
For more information and to get involved, head to the BCU Repair Lab website.