Refurbished, Grey, and Authorized Laptops in Nepal: What to Know Before You Buy
In Nepal Refurbished, Authorized, and Unauthorized are terms you will encounter when looking for laptops in the market. Each of these categories has different prices and quality standards. In this article, you will know what exactly what these terms mean. Why are prices different for the same laptop, and how to recognize them.
1. Grey Laptops
What does "grey laptop" mean?
Grey laptops are not backed with any warranty or after-sales support by the official manufacturer. These laptops are sold by sellers with no official agreement with the manufacturer and these laptops can be new, refurbished, or even counterfeit.
Why are grey laptops cheaper?
In Nepal it is common for people to get laptops from Tax free countries like Dubai and sell it here in Nepal which makes it 18% cheaper (13% VAT + 5% Customs). Therefore offering lower prices with high margin since they don’t have to go through official channels. You will not be getting authorised warranty for this kind of product as it is illegal and will only get store service. Keep in mind that they might pitch you saying that it has authorised warranty therefore to be secure follow the steps below.
How to check if your laptop is Grey?
It is not hard to find out whether your laptop is authorised or not
- Source : Grey laptops are often sold on online marketplaces or by third-party sellers who are not officially authorized by the brand.
- Hologram: Authorised distributors provide holograms in their products, for example Asus laptops are imported by Nagmani International and if an Asus laptop in Nepal doesn't contain their hologram, it is a grey product.
- Price Too Good to Be True : If the laptop's price is significantly lower than the authorised resellers, then you are probably looking at a grey product.
- Lack of Warranty : Unauthorized laptops don’t come with an official manufacturer warranty. Instead, you may be offered shorter, store specific warranty.
- Unusual Packaging : Grey laptops usually don't have original accessories, has irregular packaging, and is not sealed properly.
Why are Grey laptops cheaper?
Unauthorized laptops are sold at significantly lower prices. These laptops can be from the gray market imported without permission or even counterfeit. The price of these laptops can be attractive but you won’t get any services if it malfunctions or breaks.
2. Refurbished Laptops
What does "refurbished laptop” mean?
Laptops that are returned to the manufacturer or retailer by the original buyer due to minor defects, dissatisfaction, or a simple change of mind. After careful inspection, these laptops are repaired if needed, cleaned, and resold as refurbished laptops at a discounted price. Refurbished laptops can also be display models or those simply returned unopened.
How to know if a laptop is refurbished?
Finding out if the laptop that you are buying is refurbished is not so difficult process, all you need is some common sense. Here are some things that you can follow to check whether a laptop is refurbished or not:
- Packaging : They often come in boxes marked “refurbished” or in plain packaging rather than branded original boxes. Recently stores in Nepal have started taking off those markers for refurbished product and selling it as new.
- Price : Refurbished laptop comes with significant discounts typically 10-30% less than their brand-new counterparts.
- Warranty : They come with a limited warranty or shorter than you’d receive with a new product.
- Condition : Most of the laptops will have labels like “Grade A” or “Grade B” these indicate condition. Grade A look and their performance are like new, but Grade B might have minor defects and can still work well. This point is not as helpful as the others because stores tend to rip off the labels.
Why are refurbished laptops cheaper?
Refurbished laptops aren’t brand new, they are lightly used or repaired. In order to attract a buyer they are sold at lower prices compared to their brand-new competitors. Despite that manufacturers or certified stores make sure laptops are tested and are in working condition to be sold.
There are a lot of stores all around Nepal that sell refurbished laptop telling customers that it is not (which is illegal). Many stores put cheap prices online and upsell the products and customers bargain with authorised resellers for the price which the Non-refurbished products cant compete with.
3. Authorized Laptops
What does "authorized laptops" mean?
Authorized laptops are sold by recognized retailers usually authorized by the manufacturer. These laptops comes with a full manufacturer warranty, they are brand new and unopened. Authorized sellers follow the regulations of the company for pricing, product service, and customer services.
How to know if a laptop is authorized?
Here are few things you need to keep in mind to make sure that the laptop is authorised in Nepal.
- Retail Source : Buy from well-known retailers or any official brand retailer. (Quality Computer)
- Full Warranty : Authorized laptops have a full warranty, typically 2 or 3 years.
- Sealed Packaging : Authorized laptops come with original branded sealed packaging with all the accessories and manuals.
- Official Retailer’s Certification : Look for “authorized dealer” certification on the website or in-store signage of the retailer.
Why are authorized laptops more expensive in Nepal?
Authorized laptop's are more expensive than Grey ones because of 13% VAT + 5% Duty ( भन्सार ) that the companies have to pay in the customs of Nepal. Thanks to the government of Nepal, the laptops coming from authorised channels have to pay the amount making it more expensive. We can say that the price reflects the guarantee of quality, authenticity, and services. They are sold by proper authorized channels and have excellent customer support, guarantees, and warranties.
Difference between Refurbished, Authorised and, Grey Products.
Refurbished |
Authorized |
Grey |
|
Returned products that have been inspected, repaired, and cleaned for resale. |
New products sold by authorized retailers under the manufacturer's agreement. |
Products sold by sellers without official authorization; may be new or counterfeit. |
|
Condition can vary (Grade A, B, etc.); usually lightly used or display models. |
It is brand new, unopened, and in original condition. |
It can be new, used, or counterfeit; often lacks quality assurance. |
|
Price is typically 10-30% lower than new products. |
Price generally higher due to quality assurance and support. |
Price often the lowest, but may indicate risk of quality issues. |
|
Often includes a limited warranty (usually shorter than new products). |
Full manufacturer warranty, typically 1-3 years. |
Usually no manufacturer warranty; may have a limited store warranty. |
|
Packaging often plain or marked as "refurbished." |
Original sealed packaging with all accessories. |
Irregular packaging; may lack original accessories. |
|
Often sold by manufacturers or certified stores. (Not in Nepal) |
Sold by recognized and certified retailers. |
Sold by third-party sellers or marketplaces, often with no certification. |
|
Inspected and repaired to meet quality standards; varies by stores |
Sold by recognized and certified retailers. |
No assurance; quality may vary widely. |
|
Limited support, often through the refurbisher. |
Comprehensive support from the manufacturer. |
Minimal or no support; buyers are often left to resolve issues on their own. |
Final Thoughts
It is important to recognize the risks and rewards when choosing between refurbished, authorized, and grey laptops. Authorized laptops are more reliable and provide assurance but they tend to be expensive. Refurbished laptops are a cost-effective option and can be reliable if they come with a warranty. Grey laptops can look like a good deal but they can result in potential issues such as poor quality and the absence of support.
Before you make a purchase, carefully research your options, check for warranties, and purchase from trusted sellers. By doing this you can secure best deal at the same time minimizing any risks.