How to work better with refurbished products in ProductGuide

Refurbished electronics are becoming an increasingly attractive option for cutting costs while supporting sustainability. However, working with refurbished products as a reseller brings new requirements. That’s where ProductGuide comes in, simplifying the entire process. 

Unlike new items with standardized specifications, refurbished devices can vary widely in quality and configurations. From grading to specification updates and even hardware upgrades, you need solutions that ensure these product descriptions meet your standards.

An increasing demand for all things refurbished

“Refurbished” is a term that’s becoming increasingly common, especially in the tech industry. Unlike a used product, a refurbished product has been carefully inspected and rigorously tested. Refurbished items are often cleaned, graded by condition, and updated with new software (such as the latest operating system), ensuring a reliable and solid user experience.

What began as a consumer-driven trend has expanded. By opting for refurbished devices, the lifecycle of electronic products is extended, reducing the environmental impact associated with new production. For organizations with sustainability goals, this dual benefit of cost-effectiveness and reduced environmental footprint makes refurbished an ideal choice. The market and regulators are asking—even requiring—a more significant portion of refurbished products. 

With rising demand, FS System have integrated advanced functionality for refurbished products into ProductGuide, making it easier for you to meet this new demand more efficiently.

Grading and quality control

One essential part of purchasing refurbished electronics is understanding the grading process. Every device that enters the refurbished market is carefully evaluated. Laptops, for example, might be graded as “A” or “Gold” if they’re in top condition, while units with minor wear could receive a “B” grade. This grading system helps you know exactly what to expect regarding quality.

With this information in ProductGuide, you can confidently select the products that match your performance requirements and budget. High-grade items might be perfect for customer-facing employees, while lower grades could work well for back-office roles. By bringing grading details directly into ProductGuide, you can work more efficiently with all refurbished products.

Specification management

One of the biggest challenges with refurbished electronics is keeping track of each product’s exact specifications. Laptops or other devices may have been modified from their original state—such as adding a larger hard drive or switching a keyboard layout. 

For those with large-scale refurbishing sales, manually managing product specifications can quickly drain resources. But regardless if you have 1,000 refurbished laptops or 500,000 iPhones, you can easily manage such high volumes in ProductGuide.

ProductGuide ensures each device is up to your standards without the administrative burden by automating this by linking refurbished items to their updated specifications, giving you a clear, reliable view of each device. By connecting with multiple vendors, ProductGuide creates a comprehensive, centralized database that ensures you’re always working with accurate, current information. Fredrik Svärd, CEO and co-founder of FS System, says:

"This automation saves you time but also keeps costs down, making refurbished products more manageable to work with."

Conclusion: Transform your approach to refurbished products

With sustainability and cost efficiency at the forefront, refurbished products can be a powerful alternative to new equipment. By automating the complexities often associated with refurbished items, ProductGuide makes it easier than ever to embrace this growing market. And, as the market continues to expand, our commitment to developing new features ensures ProductGuide will continue to serve your needs and stay aligned with industry advancements.