One in ten Portuguese (12%) has never heard of reconditioned products. This is the conclusion of a survey carried out by DECO PROteste, which analyzed the habits, perceptions and experiences of national consumers regarding the purchase of second-hand and reconditioned products.
The data show that, although the second-hand market is widely spread, 74% of respondents bought at least one used item in the 12 months preceding the study. Reconditioned products remain less known and adopted: only 38% of Portuguese say they have ever bought a reconditioned product in their lifetime. Still, among those who have tried it, the assessment is largely positive.
The majority of consumers report satisfaction with their most recent purchase and admit they would opt for this type of product again, countering lingering prejudices about the reliability and quality of reconditioned goods.
According to the study, the most purchased reconditioned products belong to the technology and electronics sectors. Telecommunications equipment, such as smartphones, lead the preferences, having been bought by 57% of consumers who have already purchased reconditioned products. They are followed by computers, tablets and other technological equipment (35%), small household appliances (22%), and toys and games (20%). It should be noted that reconditioned products are items that, after return or prior use, are subjected to inspection, verification, repair and testing by qualified professionals, and are again offered for sale with this explicit identification.
Since 2022, they benefit from three-year warranties, just like new products. The profile of the reconditioned product consumer shows significant differences. Men under 32 years old show a greater propensity for this type of purchase, representing almost two-thirds of consumers who have already purchased reconditioned goods. In contrast, women over 35 appear as the least receptive group, with fewer than a quarter admitting they have already made this type of purchase.
For DECO PROteste, these data highlight the need to reinforce information and confidence in the reconditioned market, notably through clearer rules on repair processes, the parts used and the identification of refurbishers, in order to guarantee transparency and consumer safety.
