Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix
Click Here

Tablets forum: Looking to start refurbishing tablets

by: joe42968 February 12, 2013 4:08 PM PST

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

Looking to start refurbishing tablets

by joe42968 - 2/12/13 4:08 PM

Hi
I this is my first time here.I was looking into what it make take and how profitable refurbishing tablets can be.
I was wondering peoples opinions on which may be the most profitable in getting parts and the actual refurbishing of the tablet.
I was looking at the Asus Nexus 7.The disassembly videos I have seen on youtube its seems pretty straight forward on refurbishing.But wondering what are other good ones that would/might sell pretty good.
I plan on doing this as a supplement at least for now and sell at swap meets.I went with a buddy of mine to a swap meet for his first time who refurbishes Coby Kyros tablets and sold pretty good.And I read those are really low end.
It seems Nexus 7 are rated really good but wondering if I want to do those for a swap meet setting or start with something more mid scale as tablets go.

Thanks in advance


Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

I saw those Coby on sale for 49 bucks.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 2/12/13 4:35 PM

In Reply to: Looking to start refurbishing tablets by joe42968

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=T708&cat=TAB shows a new tablet for 75 bucks. Refurb is, well, those that ask how may be years away from doing that work. Not only that, parts are nearly impossible to find and these are not made to be repaired. Here's a link about that.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/cracking-open/five-things-you-should-know-before-trying-to-fix-a-smartphone-or-tablet/617

I have the latest Nexus 7 and given the pricing I don't see why I'd chance a refurb.
Bob


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Dopo?

by joe42968 - 2/12/13 4:40 PM

In Reply to: I saw those Coby on sale for 49 bucks. by R. Proffitt Moderator

Sorry never heard of it.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Same with Coby.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 2/12/13 5:53 PM

In Reply to: Dopo? by joe42968

Never saw them till recently.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Buy 1/4 Price

by mad_reaper - 2/15/13 8:52 PM

In Reply to: Looking to start refurbishing tablets by joe42968

As a guess, I would suggest that you buy 2 broken but complete phones on eBay for 1/4 of the retail price or less each. Then, repair one and use the other for parts. Then, sell the newly repaired one for 3/4 of the retail price and pocket 1/4 for profit.

I'd also suggest specializing at first; be an expert in repairing one kind of thing first before expanding out. Since you are looking to sell at swap meets, I suggest cheaper products; swap meet people are more price conscious and less quality conscious. Don't be afraid to price them near or at retail, though; you'll be surprised at how many people will pay retail prices to you even though they could go to a store and buy it there for the same price. You might even see if you can buy wholesale and in bulk and sell them for a profit at swap meets without needing to bother with refurbishing.

Good luck!


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Do your sums...

by Zouch - 2/16/13 4:38 AM

In Reply to: Looking to start refurbishing tablets by joe42968

I think Bob is spot on again, the economics just don't add up. Check the prices on somewhere like AliExpress (it takes a bit of digging to establish the brand names but most are well known) - you couldn't buy the parts for the price, even if you could find them. Similarly with EBay.

If you decide it's still feasible, ask yourself what you are going to do about warranty? I wouldn't buy a tablet, even secondhand, without some kind of warranty.

The Nexus is also unusual in that it is relatively easy to get into and the parts aren't inextricably welded to the case but it is the exception - these things are not intended to be repairable by anyone but the manufacturer.

So I don't see it but if you have a go nonetheless, good luck - I think you'll need it.


Was this reply helpful? (2)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Thanks you all

by joe42968 - 2/16/13 5:40 AM

In Reply to: Looking to start refurbishing tablets by joe42968

Thank you all that answered my post.
Zouch when I made my starting post I hadn't really looked into any tablets EXCEPT the Nexus7 and saw the ease of how the insides were put together thats why I did find that one attractive as my friend doing the Coby Kyros mentioned he had to hone on his welding.
After looking into it more and a couple different models and prices etc I think I will try to do one even if its for myself to see if i can do it. I was thinking maybe it could be something to do just to make some extra bucks,but seeing like it isn't going to be that feasable,then again after reading mad_reaper post he seems to have something.If you build it people WILL buy.Just have to find the right audience.And I was surprisingly seeing how much people were chomping at the bit on the Coby Kyros and the people that did buy didnt even worry about warrantys no one even asked.
So I will do some more checking into it and see which way I want to go.
Again,Thank you to all of you.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

tablets from where?

by porsche10x - 2/16/13 1:53 PM

In Reply to: Looking to start refurbishing tablets by joe42968

I'm curious about two things:

First, where exactly are you going to find a steady supply of large numbers of tablets in need of refurbishing for free or near free?

Next, do you have the tools and expertise to repair them? I would imagine all but the simplest of repairs would need some serious investment in surface mount assembly and repair/rework tools. I suppose you could just focus on replacing cracked displays or something. Although, you might find that replacing entire boards and displays is just too expensive to make your enterprise profitable.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • DISH staffDISH staff
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close