Last updated: __ ___ 2026
Buying refurbished is the single biggest thing you can do to get premium tech at non-premium pricing, with most of the savings coming back to you. This guide explains exactly what we mean by "refurbished" at TeraMart, the grading scale we use, what you get in the box, the warranty terms and our QC process — so there are no surprises when your device arrives.
What "refurbished" actually means here
A refurbished device is a previously-owned product that has been inspected, tested, cleaned and restored to full working order. They come back to us through trade-ins, B2B end-of-lease, ex-display stock, or open-box returns. Every unit goes through our 40-point checklist before we'll list it. We don't sell anything that doesn't fully work — there's no “parts unit” category in this store.
Our grading scale
Three tiers, plain English. The grade applies to cosmetics only — every grade is fully functional, fully tested, and carries the same 12-month TeraMart warranty.
| Grade | What it means | Battery (where applicable) | Packaging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | No visible wear at arm's length. Screen pristine. | ≥ 90% health, or new battery | Original or new packaging |
| Very Good | Minor cosmetic marks visible on close inspection. Screen unmarked. | ≥ 85% health | Generic packaging acceptable |
| Good | Light visible scratches or scuffs. All functions perfect. | ≥ 80% health | Device only or generic accessories |
We don't sell anything below "Good". Devices that don't meet that bar get traded out to certified recyclers.
What's in the box
Refurbished products may come in original retail packaging with all the original accessories, or in generic TeraMart packaging with the essentials. Every listing tells you exactly what you'll receive — look for the “In the box” line above the price. Typically:
- Excellent grade: Often original retail box with all accessories.
- Very Good grade: Generic TeraMart box with the device, original or compatible charger and cable.
- Good grade: Generic TeraMart box, device + matching charger only. Sometimes device-only at the lowest price tier.
If you need original packaging specifically (e.g. a gift), filter on the listing to show only items with original packaging included.
Warranty
Every refurbished device sold by TeraMart includes a 12-month TeraMart Warranty, starting the day you take delivery. This covers any hardware fault under normal use, including battery health dropping below 70% within the warranty period. We repair, replace or refund at our option for non-major failures, and at your option for major failures, per Australian Consumer Law.
Some products carry an additional manufacturer warranty on top — Apple Certified Refurbished, Samsung Certified Pre-Owned, Microsoft Authorised Refurbished. Where this applies, the listing will say so and the longer of the two warranty periods applies.
Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply regardless of the voluntary warranty terms above. We can't and don't try to exclude your statutory rights.
Our QC process
Every device goes through this before it can be listed:
- Intake inspection — chassis, screen, hinge, ports, button function, serial check, theft-stolen / activation-lock check.
- Full data wipe — DoD 5220.22-M or manufacturer-equivalent, plus factory reset to verified clean state. Data-destruction certificate available on request.
- Functional testing — 40-point checklist covering display, speakers, microphones, cameras, sensors, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular (where applicable), GPS, biometrics, ports, battery, thermals.
- Cleaning — chassis ultrasonic clean, screen polish, port debris removal, replacement of consumable parts (silicone ear tips, fabric pads).
- Battery check — health and cycle count measured. Replaced if below grade threshold.
- Repackaging — original retail box restored where possible, otherwise TeraMart-branded generic packaging with all required accessories.
- QC sign-off — second technician verifies. Sticker applied with checklist date and tech ID.
The QC date appears on every refurbished product page as Last fully tested on.
Returns
You have 14 days from delivery to return any refurbished product for a full refund (less the original outbound shipping cost) if you change your mind. The 12-month warranty covers anything that breaks beyond that. Email returns@teramart.com.au with your order number.
Phones, specifically
Refurbished phones have a few extra things to check:
- Carrier unlock status. Every phone is listed as Fully Unlocked, or locked to a specific Australian carrier. Locked phones are cheaper, work only with that carrier, and can usually be unlocked later by paying the carrier's fee.
- Battery health. Apple shows this in Settings → Battery → Battery Health. Android typically shows it in Settings → About → Battery. Our published battery figure is measured at QC and is the lowest you'll see in the first 30 days of use.
- Activation lock. Every Apple device is signed out of iCloud before listing — you can sign in immediately. Same for Knox on Samsung and the equivalent on Google.
- Network compatibility. All phones we sell support Australian 4G and 5G bands. International models that don't are rejected at intake.
Trade-ins
We pay competitively for your old gear if you'd like to trade in toward a refurbished upgrade. Get an instant quote at teramart.com.au/pages/sell-your-device.
Questions?
Email info@teramart.com.au, call +61 2 1234 5678 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm AEST), or chat to us live from the bottom-right of any page during business hours.