In full boom, the market for reconditioned electronic devices has been the subject of an investigation by the General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF). Absence of tests, bogus certifications… The competition policeman called 53 resellers to order.
Inexpensive and more respectful of the environment, refurbished electronic devices are attracting the interest of the French. In 2020, more than 2.8million refurbished smartphones would have been sold, according to the DGCCRF, i.e. 13% smartphones sold over the year.
Be careful, however, before you start. In a survey conducted in 2020 and 2021 with 84 stores and online sales sites, the DGCCRF has identified many dysfunctions in terms of consumer information. In total, 53 companiesthat is 62% controlled resellers, have been the subject of an administrative injunction or a warning.
Lack of supporting documents
Among the oddities noted by the competition policeman, the inability of certain resellers to provide supporting documents proving that the products have been tested before being resold. And for good reason: some so-called refurbished products were just repackaged. Others were only tested at ignition, told the Echoes Rmy Slove, chief of staff and spokesperson for the DGCCRF.
However, the use of the term reconditioned 頻 implies that device functionality has been tested and that it has been repaired if necessary, remind the services of the repression of fraud. If these requirements are not met, the device must be considered as a second-hand goodnot as a refurbished product.
The perverse effects of the end of the receipt
In addition, several resellers announced that their products had obtained certificateeven though it was most often only a question of internal control process. A marketing argument which earned them a warning from the DGCCRF, the requirements of the legal certification framework implying the use of a accredited third party organizationrecalls the institution.
Misleading information
Another deficiency highlighted by the DGCCRF survey: the lack of pre-contractual information on the condition of the products. Too often, resellers are content to generic terms, such as good or very good condition. Insufficient, considers the competition policeman, for whom this information does not allow consumers to know the possible degree of loss of quality of use equipment, nor compare products between them or to compare a reconditioned product with a new one.
Smartphones, tablets: the end of like new for refurbished products
Finally, the DGCCRF investigators noted misleading information likely to create confusion between the legal guaranteecompulsory and free, and the commercial guarantee, often chargeable. As for new products, the legal warranty for reconditioned products is valid two years from the date of purchase.
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