If you’re looking to give your loved ones the gift of great tech, refurbished is a great option for many reasons. In fact, our holiday season survey showed 94% of customers said they would be okay with receiving refurbished electronics a gift. No matter the occasion here are some things to think about when shopping :

Do your research

Evaluate the legitimacy and track record of the seller. Check out customer reviews, ratings, and history to make sure that you are purchasing from a reputable organization. Make sure the supplier has live customer service available and user-friendly buying and return policies. Especially in the case of gifting, you don’t want to leave your recipient dealing with sub-par service should they have any questions about their new device.

Evaluate the condition

Are you okay with a few bumps and bruises, or do you want a virtually new-looking device? In the case of a gift, you likely will want to go for the higher standard, but knowing your recipient’s preferences is important—they may appreciate the pre-loved bargain find! Websites like Back Market make this easy to choose with esthetic grades from Stallone (a little more wear and tear) to Mint (nearly perfect). It is important to note this refers to the outside appearance of the device only, a good refurbisher should have the same functional requirements across all devices.

Prepare return and warranty information

When gifting a refurbished device, follow similar etiquette as you would with most purchases that have gift return options. It can be hard to choose the perfect gift, especially when it comes to technology. Our devices are a big part of our daily lives, so if your gift is not exactly what your recipient wants make sure you know the return policy. Know the window for returns, and make sure you factor in when you made the purchase versus when you are planning to give the gift. Having this information upfront also helps to avoid any awkwardness for your recipient.

Wrap it all up with a bow

You’ve made your list, now check it twice. When your gift arrives make sure you check that it contains all the accessories you expected. Good refurbished options will come with similar items as a new device such as charging gear, earphones, stylus, keyboard, instructions, packaging, etc. Some sellers even offer new packaging for a like-new experience. If not, make sure to wrap it nicely—unless it is too large then it can be wrapped in paper with a big bow – a big part of gift-giving is the presentation!