Why refurbished technology is no longer a stopgap

New technology releases are now almost monthly. People buy technology today that will be obsolete tomorrow. Yet a new sentiment is emerging among people that invites them to take a breather. It's called Jomu —Joy of missing the upgrade—and is inspired by the better-known Jomo (Joy of missing out); this philosophy suggests not compulsively chasing the latest device, but rather exploiting yours while it still proves useful. There are concrete reasons behind it, such as innovations that are often only incremental, constantly rising prices for new models, and a renewed focus on the value— economic , undoubtedly, but also environmental —of existing products.

The phenomenon finds a natural ally in the refurbished market . Proposing a reflection on the topic are studies conducted by the eBay platform, where – according to the eBay Impact Report – over 40% of sales come from pre-owned and refurbished items, with one item viewed every 11 seconds on eBay.it. Savings , which can reach 40% compared to new items (40% on average for computers and gaming, 30% for smartphones and household appliances), remain the main driving force: 80% of consumers cite it as a decisive factor ( Ebay Refurbished Report 2023 ). But it's not the only driving force, as 68% recognize its positive impact on the environment . In 2024 alone, the buying and selling of used and refurbished goods on the platform avoided 1.6 million tons of CO2 and 70,000 tons of waste, generating $5 billion in economic value.

Yet, some prejudices persist. Among the most cited barriers are the lack of guarantees (44%), perceived inferior quality (41%), low confidence in returns (35%), and doubts about hygiene (34%). According to eBay, however, these can be dismantled by rethinking five beliefs.

The first: "Refurbished is only for smartphones or tablets." In reality, the growing categories include dishwashers and smartwatches (both up 90%), game consoles (60%), food processors (+46%), vacuum cleaners (+34%), and espresso machines (+27%), not to mention DIY tools, treadmills, and small appliances. The second myth concerns lower-quality products than new (eBay retorts that all its refurbished products pass rigorous technical tests ).

Another point is that electronic devices are not covered by a warranty. "The eBay Refurbished Program guarantees at least 12 and up to 24 months, plus free shipping and returns," the platform specifies. Last but not least, " 'nearly new' items are not suitable as gifts." In fact, 51% of consumers feel comfortable giving a refurbished item as a gift, while 67% would be happy to receive one.

The boom in refurbished goods is especially affecting the tech sector : +90% for smartwatches , +60% for gaming consoles , and +40% for computers and accessories . But the trend is also sweeping the kitchen, with food processors (+90%) and espresso machines (27%), alongside steady growth in blenders, ovens, and other small appliances.