6 Ways You Can Save Money When Buying Gadgets

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6 Ways You Can Save Money When Buying Gadgets

The price of consumer electronics has gone down in recent times. Gadgets are more affordable now than ever before. However, individual branded gadgets can still cost a lot of money. Not everyone can spare $500 for a GoPro or $1,000 for a new smartphone. If you want to save money on buying a gadget like an iPhone, you would have to settle for a cheap, used version. However, you do not necessarily have to settle for less. There are plenty of ways to buy budget alternatives for gadgets online. You just have to know where to look.

Some people believe that budget alternatives mean cheaper and low-quality versions of high-end products. This is a common misunderstanding. Knockoff products are rarely considered budget alternatives. Some manufacturers offer low-cost alternatives to expensive branded products. These do not differ in quality but may differ in specs. For example, you can buy a $50 smartphone instead of spending more on an iPhone. The cheaper smartphone may not have some of the signature features of the iPhone, but it will deliver on everything you expect from a smartphone.

Some budget products have largely comparable specs to more expensive products. Most of the time you may have to sacrifice on one aspect, or two, to get the price advantage. This is particularly true when buying electronics like laptops and cameras. However, it’s not true in all cases.

In case you are strapped for cash right now and cannot afford the cool gadget you need, here are several ways you can purchase the item you want at a lower price.

1. Check out Listicles and Articles on Budget Sites

If you don’t want to spend hours online searching for budget gadgets, you should read listicles on respected sites and blogs that include budget versions of popular gadgets. Looking for a low-cost action camera? Then you can check out this list of action cameras that cost less than $100. There are plenty of sites that compile lists like this. You can compare products, read reviews, and get great recommendations by visiting such websites. More importantly, you will be able to avoid getting a cheap knockoff product. Most sites only list high-quality and durable products. If the blog you are reading is any good, it will mention cons of certain products as well. Reading budget product list is a great way to start choosing low-cost alternatives for the gadget you need.

2. Don’t Go for the Amazon Price

Amazon.com offers great prices on many products, but you should not limit yourself to this site. Always compare prices for the gadget you want on other sites as well. If possible, check out the manufacturer’s website to see what the original pricing is. When you buy online, sometimes costs can get added for shipping and handling. That’s why it’s important to check out as many electronics buying sites as possible to get the best price. If you see an eye-popping low price for a gadget, check out the gadget on other sites to get a general idea of the average price for the product. Then you can know if you are getting scammed or not. Sometimes prices can be very low if the product is faulty or is an older model version.

3. Buy Refurbished Products

Don’t want to buy used? You can save money and benefit from original quality by buying gadgets refurbished. If you see a gadget that is “factory refurbished” that means you are purchasing a product that has been restored by the manufacturer to its original condition. Refurbished gadgets work just like new, and may even come with warranties. Despite working like new, they cost as low as a used item. You can get over a 50 percent discount on the original retail price for refurbished products. Refurbished deals are great for many reasons, so if the new item costs a lot, consider if there are less expensive refurbished listings you can afford.

4. Buy the Older Version of the Gadget

If the latest Samsung Galaxy is too expensive for you, you will be able to save money buying an older Samsung Galaxy model. Sure, you won’t get the latest features with older models. However, keep in mind that some new features are just gimmicks. For example, there may be a 20 percent increase in battery life. Would you really like to spend about a hundred dollars more for a new feature? Probably not. The only reason not to buy older models of a gadget is if the older model is known to be faulty. Unless the latest version offers truly remarkable new specs, buy the older model and save yourself the cash.

5. Buy Gadgets Individually

Do not spend more money buying gadgets in “bundles” or “kits.” Bundles usually pair accessories with gadgets. They look like great deals, but they are really not. Sellers usually combine new gadgets with really old or unpopular accessories that don’t sell. Most of the stuff you get in a bundle won’t last the year. So the smart strategy is to buy each item individually, so you can ensure quality and not overpay for an item that is not very good. If you see a bundle deal, walk away, and choose your iPhone 11 Phone Cases separately from your iPhone, for example. At least research each item on offer individually so you actually know what you are buying.

6. Open Your Mind to Lesser Known Brands

Say, you want to buy a gaming laptop. The brand name that comes to mind is Alienware. You may also consider Apple or HP gaming laptops as well. These super brands for gaming laptops cost well over $2,000. You can buy a gaming laptop for under about $1,000 by choosing a lesser known brand like MSI. Likewise, if you are buying an action camera, consider brands like Sigma and Tokina as well and not limit yourself to GoPro. Some brands specialize in offering budget products and are quite popular too. Just because you haven’t seen the brand in a television ad, it doesn’t mean it’s no good. You can read professional and customer reviews for lesser known brands to understand which ones offer quality in addition to low prices.

Next time you want to buy a gadget without expending all your savings, keep the above tips in mind. If you are willing to spend some time doing research and not go for fancy brand names, you will be able to save hundreds of dollars on the gadget you want to buy.

About the Author: Eduardo Bridges writes articles, blogs, and tutorials about purchasing budget electronic gadgets. He is a former software engineer turned entrepreneur who has been obsessed with gadgets ever since he was a kid.

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