An e-scooter is a great purchase, especially if you live in a city or other metropolitan area and need a way to get around easily. But new electric scooters often come with price tags that don’t fit everyone’s budget. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of buying a refurbished electric scooter.
What Is a Refurbished E-Scooter?
A refurbished electric scooter isn’t the same as a used one, mainly because refurbished products go through testing, and experts repair them. On the other hand, a used product may still have a few problems but sell at a reduced price.
Understanding the difference between refurbished and used products is important since the terms are not synonymous. Don’t buy a used product when you want something refurbished.
For example, refurbished e-scooters may have a few surface scratches or other signs of use, but the manufacturer tests them, and any problems get repaired. If there were an issue with the battery holding a charge, they would fix this before reselling the now refurbished electric scooter at a reduced price.
Avoid Used Scooters
Although refurbished products can have cosmetic problems, this isn’t always the case as companies use refurbished even when discussing items that get returned despite looking brand new. However, “used products” always mean there are signs of use and that there could be issues with the item itself.
While many sellers list used electric scooters at surprisingly low prices, buying one isn’t worth the saved money as things could go wrong, especially because it isn’t safety tested. There could be a problem with the brakes or damage to the battery of the e-scooter that’s expensive to fix—sometimes even pricier than the scooter itself.
Pros of Buying a Refurbished E-Scooter
If you want to save money while buying your electric scooter, a refurbished one is your best option. Not only will this fit into just about any budget, but there’s also no need to worry about whether it will work properly. Shopping this way could save you several hundred dollars and still get you a top brand and option. Other pros of buying a refurbished e-scooter include:
Reduced waste: You help reduce the carbon footprint by reusing what’s out there
More money for gear: By saving on the scooter, you have more money for add-ons
Guilt-free shopping: Buying a quality product at a reduced price always feels great
People return scooters for many reasons, including personal preferences on speed, color, and the feel of the ride. Since this is a matter of opinion, what one person considers too fast, could be the ideal speed for you. And since the company communicates with these customers to reimburse them and obtain the returned e-scooter, they can also closely inspect all its inner workings.
More Money for Gear
E-scooters are a great way to get around, which is why many people purchase add-ons and upgrade their rides. You can buy a basket, additional battery, or storage bag with your savings. Additionally, you’ll need to figure the price of safety gear into the budget for your electric scooter since you should at least wear a helmet.
Cons of Buying a Refurbished E-Scooter
Buying a refurbished scooter may sound like the perfect option, and you may wonder why not everyone does this. Although you are getting a bargain price, some cons worth noting are:
They’re nonrefundable: If you decide you don’t want it, you can’t return it
Obvious signs of wear: Refurbished e-scooters often have scratches or nicks
Limited options: You can only choose from what other people have returned
These cons may sound like no big deal to some people since the electric scooter could be cheaper than it would otherwise be. However, you should note that all sales are final, so returning the electric scooter is no longer an option if you don’t like it.
Dealing With Limited Options
Your options will be more limited, and if you have your eye on a specific model of e-scooter by a certain brand, it may be best to play the waiting game. Check on the company website every couple of days for adult e-scooters as you view their refurbished options. Remember that you can’t be too picky, and if you’ve set your heart on something specific, you’ll likely have to buy it new.
The Best Option: New vs. Refurbished
Understanding the pros and cons of buying a refurbished electric scooter is essential and helps you determine which one is best. While you can make an argument for both sides, the best choice is a matter of opinion and what matters most to you.
If you want a product guaranteed to look brand new, then refurbished may not be the best option. However, if a few minor signs of wear like light scratches are no big deal to you, especially with that reduced price, buy refurbished.
Tips for Buying Refurbished
Most people would agree that a refurbished e-scooter can be quite a steal, even more so when the buyer has a tight budget to work with. Other ways of deciding between these two options include thinking about:
If minimal cosmetic damage is an issue
Whether you want a specific electric scooter
If the color of the e-scooter matters
Noting what’s most important to you makes it easier to determine whether it would be ideal to buy an electric scooter that’s brand new or refurbished.
We all value different things, and noting your budget is vital. If this is your first e-scooter, it may be best to buy refurbished since you won’t feel bad if you don’t use it as much as you assumed you would. You can always upgrade and buy a new e-scooter if you love riding yours and want to enhance the experience!
What Is Cosmetic Damage?
We’ve mentioned cosmetic damage a few times, and it’s important to note that this does not mean the refurbished e-scooter is covered in dents and deep scratches. Quality brands only resell products with minor issues that are hard to spot unless you look for them.
We only bring up the potential cosmetic damage so you don’t order a refurbished e-scooter with the expectation that it’ll look spotless. And sometimes, there’s no surface damage; the original customer may have returned it before even opening the box.
Shop at Hiboy
At Hiboy, you can browse new and refurbished electric scooters, and we have options for everyone! Buy an e-scooter that’s fun to ride around, fast, and easy to use. Our refurbished options are always changing, so buy your favorite option while it’s available. You’ll love traveling on your new and amazing ride.
