Refurbished vs used: what the grades mean
Every listing on Microcity carries one of five conditions, and most of them carry a grade as well. They are not marketing words — they are defined here, applied the same way by every seller, and checked against the photographs before a listing goes live.
Brand new, unused, in the original sealed packaging.
Unused and as-new, but the packaging has been opened. Often an unwanted gift or a returned order.
Sellers must photograph the actual item — stock photographs are not allowed at this condition.
Professionally tested, repaired where needed and restored to working order, with a warranty from the seller.
- Grade A — excellent, minimal or no marks
- Grade B — good, light cosmetic marks
- Grade C — fair, visible cosmetic wear
Sellers must photograph the actual item — stock photographs are not allowed at this condition.
Previously owned and fully working, with wear consistent with its grade.
- Excellent — barely used, no notable marks
- Good — used with light marks, nothing significant
- Fair — clearly used, noticeable marks or wear
Sellers must photograph the actual item — stock photographs are not allowed at this condition.
Faulty or incomplete. Sold for parts or repair only and not fit for use as it stands.
Sellers must photograph the actual item — stock photographs are not allowed at this condition.
The seller must describe exactly what is wrong with it.
Which should you buy?
For anything with a battery, a motor or a fan — laptops, phones, vacuums, washing machines — refurbished is the sensible middle. Those are the parts that wear out, and refurbishment is largely the business of replacing them. You get a warranty and somebody to go back to.
For things that either work or do not — cables, monitors, speakers, most tools — used at a good grade is usually better value. There is not much to degrade.
Open box is the quiet bargain: an unwanted gift or a returned order, never used, at a used price. It is worth filtering for.
Spares or repair is for people who can fix things, or who want one specific part. Buy it for the part you need and treat the rest as a bonus.
Common questions
- Is refurbished better than used?
- Usually yes, for anything electrical. Refurbished means someone tested it, fixed what was wrong and gave you a warranty. Used means it worked when it was posted. Refurbished costs more and is worth it on anything with a battery or a moving part.
- Does refurbished mean the seller opened the box?
- No — that is open box. Refurbished means the item was used, then professionally restored to working order. Open box means it was never used at all and the packaging was simply opened.
- What does spares or repair mean?
- It does not work, or it is incomplete, and it is sold on that basis. Buy it to fix or to strip for parts. Nobody guarantees it will do anything.
- Do the grades mean the same thing for every seller?
- Yes. Grades on Microcity are defined by us and applied the same way by every seller, and listings are checked against the photographs. That consistency is the point of grading them at all.
One more thing that matters
Condition is only half of it. Whether the seller is a business or a private individual changes what you can do if something goes wrong — and every listing says which. What the difference means.