If you head to a traditional retailer, you’re likely to be looking at brand new TVs, and paying a premium price for a premium screen.
However, for a growing number of savvy shoppers, they know that brand new doesn’t always mean better, and that ‘graded’ doesn’t always mean used.
In fact, you could save yourself hundreds of pounds without compromising on picture quality or performance by purchasing a graded television from a trusted stockist such as Electronic World.
What Is a Brand New TV?
A brand new TV is one that comes in its full, original packaging, has never been owned by a customer, and is sold as new.
They are usually the most expensive to purchase because you are paying for factory-fresh condition, original packaging, and the latest retail presentation.
This is the traditional option, but rarely the best value.
What Is a Graded TV?
A graded TV is rated from A-C based on its usage and condition. An A-rated model is usually ‘as new’ and in pristine condition but can not be advertised as being ‘brand new’ because of damage to packaging or because it has been returned in the cooling off period.
The performance and quality of a graded TV is often virtually identical to one that is from the original manufacturer.
B or C rated televisions may have been used for display purposes or have very minor cosmetic marks.
Importantly, these factors usually have no impact on the screen quality, internal components or overall performance. Because they can no longer be sold as ‘brand new’, they can be sold for hundreds of pounds less than if you were the original purchaser.
Furthermore, our graded TVs are all thoroughly inspected and come with a 12-month warranty as standard to ensure that you’re getting the premium quality you’re expecting.
New vs Graded TV: What's the Real Difference?
When comparing a new TV to a graded TV, the biggest differences are usually cosmetic rather than technical.
Packaging
A brand new TV will always be in the original retail packaging, whereas a graded TV may arrive in plain or replacement packaging. Importantly, this has no bearing on performance.
Condition
For a brand new TV, you should expect nothing less than factory fresh condition. However, a graded TV may be a return from a consumer who has changed their mind or have some minor cosmetic marks sustained from transit.
Cost
A graded TV will almost always be significantly cheaper than a brand new TV, with hundreds of pounds being shaved off the original price.
Performance
You can expect the performance of a brand new TV and a graded TV to be identical.
For most customers, once you’ve set your TV up, the fact your TV is considered ‘graded’ is quickly forgotten.
Are Refurbished TVs Worth Buying?
Yes, refurbished TVs are worth buying as they can cost between 20% and 50% less than a brand new model. This means that you can often upgrade to a QLED model for the same price as a brand-new less sophisticated screen.
Refurbished doesn’t always mean that a TV has been heavily used or repaired after a fault, either. Whilst this may be true in some instances, often refurbished or graded TV stock has simply been removed from sale or returned unused. It’s always a good idea to check the grading of your TV (A, B, or C) to understand the extent of the damage, use and quality.
Buying from a trusted reseller, such as Electronic World, is also crucial to make sure you get the gold-standard of a 12-month warranty and peace of mind that your TV has been rigorously tested before being listed for sale.
Saving hundreds of pounds on the same model of television means that buying a refurbished or graded TV is often the savvy choice.
Where Does Electronic World Source Its TVs?
Electronic World sources its graded televisions directly from the original manufacturer and other authorised supply chains. For instance:
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Manufacturer surplus stock
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Retailer overstock
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Customer returns within cooling-off periods
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Products that cannot be sold as "brand new" due to packaging or cosmetic reasons
Because we get our stock directly from trusted manufacturer supply chains, you can be sure that you’re receiving a genuine product with the quality you expect.
The Smarter Way to Buy Your Next TV
If you’ve been on the fence about whether to get a refurbished vs a brand new TV, then you’ll probably note that there’s a lot less difference between the two than people first assume.
Whereas you’re guaranteed pristine packaging and untouched cosmetics with a brand new TV, you’ll be able to experience the same exceptional viewing experience for a fraction of the cost by opting for a graded television instead.
Due to the lower cost, it may mean that you’re able to upgrade to a larger screen, better display, or premium features for the same budget you had for buying a brand new TV.
So, if you’re looking for outstanding value without compromising on quality, a graded TV could be one of the smartest technology purchases you'll make.
