By Business & Finance 
Survey finds growth in numbers purchasing refurbished electronic devices when returning to school. Over 50% of those surveyed plan to buy a refurbished device instead of a brand new one.
Refurbed, a fast growing online marketplace for refurbished electronic devices in Europe, have today released its findings from a survey that looks at the demand for purchasing electronic devices when returning to education. The survey conducted by Bounce Insights canvassed 1,064 Irish parents aged 35 and over and students aged 18 to 24 for their insights on purchasing refurbished electronic devices when returning to education this year. The survey results were released in conjunction with refurbed’s own back to school campaign which launched on the 12th August with products up to 40% cheaper than new devices and 100% environmentally friendly.
The survey results found that purchasing a refurbished device will be popular when returning to school this September. Close to 51% of all respondents intend to buy a refurbished device for back to school purposes instead of a new device with a breakdown of 50% of students and 51% of parents opting for this. Buying refurbished electronic devices is most popular among parents aged 35 – 44 (54%) compared to those aged 55 and over (43%).
The pressure to supply children and students with electronic devices before returning to school can be high but this pressure has only elevated since the pandemic. Just over half (51%) of parents feel pressured to provide their child/children with an electronic device for school. This pressure is higher among parents aged 55 and over (62%). A large proportion of students (77%) in third level education also feel the need to purchase an electronic device before returning to college.
A high percentage of parents (65%) and students (42%) will spend between €100 to €300 on electronic devices when going back to school. Close to one quarter of students (24%) will spend over €500 on electronic devices before returning to education.
Refurbished devices are commonly mistaken with second hand devices but it is apparent that Irish parents and students are aware of the differences between them. The findings from the survey demonstrates that 87% of parents with children in school and 77% of students in third level education know the difference between a refurbished device and second hand device. Knowing this difference gives consumers an advantage when deciding to buy refurbished or second hand devices. 84% of parents and 75% of students are aware that buying a refurbished device is cheaper and will have a guaranteed warranty.
Commenting on the results, Peter Windischhofer, co-founder of refurbed said, “over the last year and a half, the pandemic has demonstrated the importance that electronic devices play in education. As schools in Ireland begin to reopen, many parents and students will feel the need to update their electronic devices. Refurbed’s back to school campaign which launched on the 12th August will help ease the pressures of buying electronic devices for school and college and we at refurbed prides ourselves as being the more affordable and environmentally friendly option for families and students in Ireland.”
Refurbed undertakes a 40-step refurbishment process to ensure all products are restored to factory settings. The refurbishment process aims to reduce carbon emissions by 70% compared to the manufacturing of a new electronic device. To date, the company has saved 170 tons worth of electronic devices and subsequently managed to reduce the CO2 impact by 31,000 tons.
Refurbed customers can expect to save up to 40% on the original price when buying a device on refurbed’s marketplace and devices come with a 12 month warranty. Additionally, for every product sold refurbed plants a tree to offset carbon emissions created during the refurbishing process in countries such as Haiti, Madagascar, Kenya, Indonesia, Mozambique and Nepal through a partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects.
The Business Show – Sustainability 2021 will take place on 22nd September with ‘Action the Change’ as its theme. For more information and to register to attend, please visit: https://thebusinessshowireland.com/sustainability-summit/
