Buyback programs offer a few pluses, but more drawbacks

Published 12:01 am Sunday, September 11, 2011

Consumers inevitably experience a psychological pain when buying technology because enjoying a new gadget or TV can be diminished after only a few months when something better comes along.

That’s why tech buyback programs, also called buyback insurance, might sound appealing — especially to those who regularly want the latest and greatest. These programs, offered by many electronics retailers, charge you a fee upfront when you buy the item, and then guarantee you can sell it back when you upgrade your cellphone, iPad, laptop computer or other device.

Many retailers, such as Walmart and Office Depot, offer buybacks through a third party, called TechForward. Best Buy’s similar program is run by Chartis WarrantyGuard.

The upsides are that getting rid of a device through a buyback program might be more convenient than selling used electronics yourself. Best Buy touts other advantages, such as peace of mind — knowing you can sell your gadget regardless of supply and demand, and knowing upfront how much you’ll get for it. You also get paid immediately, instead of waiting for payment from an individual buyer or used-gear buying website.

However, the advantages mostly stop there.

A major problem with buyback programs is that you’re locking in a value for your used device that probably will be lower than its market price — what you could sell the used item for on eBay or one of the many gadget buyback sites, such as Gazelle.com.

The quick summary? You pay for the right to sell your gadget for a bad price.

Here are considerations if you’re thinking of paying for a buyback guarantee:

It’s a gamble. You’re betting that you can predict the future price of an electronics gadget better than Best Buy and others in the electronics industry. Essentially, you’re wagering that your gadget will lose value faster than they expect. You need to consider two dollar amounts. One is your predicted buyback refund, minus what you paid for the buyback program. The other is what you could sell the gadget for yourself. Which will be more?

It’s convenient. It’s true that getting some refund is better than simply abandoning a relatively new, functioning gadget and letting it gather dust because selling it is a hassle. But many websites make finding buyers for your device relatively easy.

Payment programs vary. Programs vary, but often your refund is paid in the form of a store credit, not cash. So, if you planned to use the money for your tech upgrade, you’re locked into buying it at a single retailer — unless you want to go through the trouble of selling your gift card for cash. You can get a check if you buy a plan directly through TechForward, but a different problem arises: You have to wait up to 60 days to get your payment. So if you were going to use the buyback money to upgrade to a newer model, you could be without one for two months.