6 Used Electronics To Stay Away From
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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When looking for used electronics, it’s pretty important to approach purchases with a decent amount of caution. Certain types of older or previously-owned devices can come with significant drawbacks related to performance, security and unexpected repair costs. In many cases, the potential downsides outweigh any upfront cost savings.
To that end, here are six used electronics that you should always stay away from.
Older Smartphones
Smartphones that are more than five years old may no longer receive critical software updates from the manufacturer.
“Smartphones usually receive security updates for at least five years after release, but after this point, many are no longer supported by the manufacturer,” said Steven Athwal, founder of The Big Phone Store.
This means any newly discovered vulnerabilities after that five year period could remain unfixed, leaving these older devices much more susceptible to cyber attacks. Without ongoing patches for newly found exploits, personal data and accounts could be put at risk. Consumers should carefully weigh these factors when considering the purchase of devices more than a few years old.
Smartphones and Laptops From Private Sellers
Opting to buy used smartphones or laptops from private sellers also poses a number of risks.
“There are a number of reasons not to trust a device from a private seller,” said Athwal. “First of all, when you buy direct from the previous user, you have no guarantee that the device you’re being sold will work.”
Unlike purchasing from a reputable refurbisher, there is no assurance that a device has been fully vetted and is in good working condition.
“You can also get up to a year’s warranty when you buy refurbished devices,” said Athwal. But when you deal with a private seller, the buyer assumes all risk, and a device that seems functional when you buy it may need expensive repairs that aren’t covered by any warranty.
Hard Drives
Used hard drives require similar levels of caution. It could be catastrophic to connect a drive infected with malware to your computer.
“Buying a used storage drive from a responsible reseller is usually fine, but you should be aware that these can also be used as an easy way for hackers to target you,” said Athwal. “Never buy any kind of storage drive from a private reseller, as these can often contain malware that will infect your computer once installed.”
The seller might have malicious intent, but they could also be infecting you through no fault of their own. They may be unaware that they’re selling you an infected drive. So buying from someone trustworthy could be just as risky as buying from someone shady.
You’re best off purchasing new drives or sticking to trustworthy retailers of refurbished goods. The risks of malware or other vulnerabilities simply outweigh any cost savings.
USB Cables
Beyond hard drives, even cables sold by individuals could pose security issues.
“It’s not just hard drives that you should stay away from,” said Athwal. “The same goes for other USB devices, as even a charging cable for your phone, bought from a private seller, could contain a hidden hacking device.”
While they may appear harmless, modified cables allow attackers to execute damaging hacks against connected devices. For your safety, it’s a good idea to avoid any USB accessory that hasn’t come from a verified source. The savings aren’t worth the risk of a compromised device or stolen personal information.
MacBooks
You may also want to think twice before picking up a used MacBook.
“While Apple’s laptops do hold onto their value for a good amount of time after they’re released, they also are not very repair-friendly devices when compared to most other laptops,” said Athwal. “This is okay if you have AppleCare, because a quick trip to the Apple store can fix whatever issue you’re having for a somewhat reasonable price… but if you’ve bought your MacBook used, you might find what should be a basic repair much more costly or complicated.”
Unlike PCs, Apple laptops feature more proprietary components and sometimes require specialized tools that can make DIY repairs extremely difficult. If it needs repairs, a used MacBook could wind up costing much more than you expect.
Cameras
Similar to laptops, used cameras also require careful inspection by an expert before you purchase them.
“Due to a large number of moving parts, there are many ways that a camera can become damaged that will affect its performance — ranging from dust inside the lens to degraded motor components, dead pixels, noisy images, failed focusing or stabilization mechanisms, and more,” said Athwal.
“It is easy for these sensitive components to become worn out without being able to see any external signs of heavy use, and the number of ways that they can go wrong means it’s easy to not notice that something is the matter until it’s too late. In most cases, what you’ll notice is that the used camera could wear out much more quickly than a brand new one.”
On the surface, a used DSLR may show minimal signs of use but harbor underlying issues that crop up shortly after purchase. Instead, consider factory-refurbished or open box discounts with included warranties.
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