Everything is going up in price. Food. Fuel. Insurance. Travel. Mortgage repayments. Internet. Streaming. Gas. Water. Electricity.
Everything.
Even with impending rate cuts, still we find ourselves in the interesting though not particularly enjoyable position of having to cut back on the things we want to cover the increasing cost of things we need.
But, like many of us, the idea of giving up your life’s comforts so that the CEO of Woolworths can deposit another $8.6 million dollars into his bank account seems a little depressing.
So how can you continue to fill your life with things that bring you joy, say 12 volt televisions, while also saving yourself some money?
By buying second hand 12 volt televisions, of course!
It seems like the perfect solution.
But is it?
The Pros of Buying Second Hand
In the interests of fairness, we’ll cover both the pros and cons of buying a preowned 12 volt television.
Price
The one is obvious - the biggest positive of buying second hand is that the price is nearly always lower than buying new.
The TV has been used. It’s got some miles on its proverbial clock and has depreciated in value during its life. That means you can get a good 12V TV with a huge discount.
Given how quickly technology advances, you could get a current generation model for a great price if you go second hand.
It may have a few knocks & bruises, but if you can save a few hundred dollars, that probably doesn’t matter if the damage is just aesthetic.
Older Models
Sometimes, older models are simply better suited to your needs. For example, if you prefer a 12V TV with an Android OS instead of the newer Google TV interface, second-hand markets might be your only option.
It’s More Sustainable
Some of you might not care so much about this one, but it’s better for the environment to shop second hand.
At some point, everything you own is going to end up in a landfill, including your 12V TV. Buying second hand delays that process, and the longer we can delay that process, the less packaging is used, the less fuel is spent shipping products around the country, the less eWaste is dumped in our landfills, and the happier our local wildlife will be.
So if you want a better deal on a specific model of 12V TV and you want to make the animals happy, buying second hand is a good option for you.
Provided you understand the risks of your decision.
The Cons of Buying Second Hand
Very few things in life are without downsides, and buying a second hand 12V TV is no exception.
You’re Buying More Than Just A TV
You might also be buying problems.
Think about the average seller. Do you trust them to be completely honest if their TV has issues?
Probably not. They might be honest with you, but they might not. There could be quality, connectivity, or structural problems with the unit that they won’t tell you about, meaning you’ll be getting something that doesn’t work as well as you hoped.
No Policies
Private sellers generally don’t have return policies for faulty goods, so always test every function of the 12V TV, from the connections & sound to the screen quality & the remote, before buying.
Reduced Lifespan
On average, a TV lasts about 7-10 years. If you’re buying a 12V TV that is three years old, that means you probably only have about four to seven years left.
Keep in mind that 12V TVs also generally have a rougher life than a regular TV. The TV in your living room probably hasn’t moved in years, but the TV in your caravan is regularly moved around with shocks and jolts all the way.
While most 12V TVs such as the ENGLAON range are specially-designed to minimise the impact of shocks, eventually time takes its toll.
No Warranty
You won’t get a warranty from a private seller. So, if you buy your 12V TV and the screen dies two weeks later, you aren’t protected by consumer law.
No refunds. No replacements.
In this case, you’ll need to fork out even more to buy another 12V TV. This would probably mean that buying new would have actually been cheaper.
You Don’t Know Its History
Was it stolen? Was it broken then repaired? Has it been treated poorly? Has it been modified? Has someone spilt a can of VB on it?
You simply don’t know, and sometimes the unknown can come back to bite you when you least expect it.
So there’s risk involved with buying second hand. For some, having the reassurance that you’re covered in the event something goes wrong is worth the slightly extra cost of buying new. For others, getting a better deal is more important.
When Is It A Good Idea To Buy Second Hand?
If you want to have your second hand cake and eat it too, what can you do?
The answer lies in officially refurbished products.
Take us, for example. When a 12V TV comes back to us through our recycling scheme or a product return, we conduct a full technical review to see whether the unit can be recycled or refurbished.
We’ll replace any parts that aren’t up to scratch, clean up the unit so it looks good as new, slap a six month warranty on it and then sell it for a reduced price.
This is common among tech companies, and ENGLAON is no different.
What this gives you is a factory-restored product. It’s second hand, but it has all the securities and safety nets of a new product. You’re getting a great deal without the downsides we’ve mentioned above.
So, Should You Buy A Second Hand 12V TV?
If price is your only concern, go second-hand, but be ready for surprises.
If you want to avoid the hassle of dealing with potential problems, buy new. You’re legally covered by Australian Consumer Law, so if something goes wrong, the seller has to offer you a solution.
If you want a second hand TV and the security that comes with buying new, then look for factory refurbished or reconditioned 12V TVs.
