Before and after we clean a laptops screen here at Filmar
Definition of Grading:
Grading is sorting of computers, desktops, laptops, iPad, monitors, and PC’s based on the outward appearance like external surfaces (i.e. cover / lid and keyboards) housing, LCD/LCD blemishes. Then the IT asset is assigned a Refurbished Grade A, B, C, D in order to fetch high price in the market.For the domestic and international market there are four general grades considered:1. Grade A. Grade B. Grade C. Grade D.Which refurbished grade is going to work for you?
Grading Structure | Customer Expectations: |
Grade A + | As good as new |
Visual inspection | No dents; scratches or cracks; rubber feet must be present no damaged corners |
| Screen in perfect condition -no scratches or marks no dead pixels lines or cracks no white spots are acceptable. |
Battery Function | 70 – 100% capacity |
| must include all parts HDD/SSD/MEM/ Batteries /Adapters – Must be complete unit. |
Technical | 100% working |
Grade A/ Good | minor signs of usage |
Visual inspection | no more than 3-4 scratches no dents no cracks in the case, rubber feet must be present no damaged corners. |
| Screen can have small marks but not visiable when in use no white spots are acceptable No cracks on the screen accepted. |
Battery Function | 70 – 100% capacity |
| must include all parts HDD/SSD/MEM/ Batteries /Adapters – Must be complete unit. |
Technical | 100% working |
B grade | severals signs of use |
Visual inspection | up to 3 small dents / scratches no longer than 2cm; small cracks no bigger than 1cm, no broken off or missing parts. Must have rubber feet |
| screens can have some visiable marks when in use, no more than 3 white spots are allowed with a maximum size 0.5cm |
Battery Function | less than 70% capacity |
| must include all parts HDD/SSD/MEM /Battery/Adapters must be complete units |
Technical | 100% working |
Grade C | Heavy signs of Usage not suitable for normal sales chanels |
Visual inspection | Heavily scracthed cases; small dents allowed cracks and missing pieces off the bezel are allowed security Tags glue marks |
| Screens have visible marks when in use up to 5 white spots are allowed no bigger than 1cm rubber feet missing |
Battery Function | Requires replacment – less than 50% |
| Must include all major parts HDD/SSd/MEM/Battery/Adapters |
Technical | working with non essential broken parts example ports |
Faulty RMA | RMA to suppliers. |
Visual inspection | Broken Screen Cracks broken cases missing essentaial parts Brackets Sata adapters etc |
1. Grade A:
Grade A is of superior quality possess flawless appearance. A 5% tolerance is allowed for errors. It must be carefully presented taking into account the uniformity of the computer, desktop, laptop, iPad, monitors, or PC. The packing material will also be of superior quality appearance.Here are some pictures and examples of Grade A computers, desktops, laptops, iPad, monitors, and PC’s2. Grade B:
The product is allowed a slight defect and almost having a same quality like the Grade A except that a 10% tolerance is allowed and subject to have: scratches on laptop body and may feature more excessive unit housing and/or external surface wear. The packing material will also be of superior quality appearance.Here are some pictures and examples of Grade B computers, desktops, laptops, iPad, monitors, and PC’s. I am going to use a lot of pictures here as this is can really confuse a person buying a USED or Refurbished Grade B laptop.3. Grade C:
This product will exhibit some external or internal defects provided they are perfectly in working condition. This Grade is best fitted for customer who don’t mind defects and are willing to repair the defect on their own. This category will satisfy the needs of customers who are not too demanding and for whom price is more important than quality.Here are some pictures and examples of Grade C computers, desktops, laptops, iPad, monitors, and PC’s. I am going to use a lot of pictures here as this is can really confuse a person buying a USED or Refurbished Grade C laptop.Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C Grade C
3. Grade D:
Products are defective Non- Working or Cosmetically flawed beyond repair. Units are to be used for parts only. These units can never be returned.
Advantages of Grading:
- Lower selling price due to presence of second-rate products.
- It increased marketing efficiency by simplifying the buying and selling of IT equipment without personal selection.
- Grading enhances the value of good graded IT products.
- Wasted marketing cost, packing, and transportation are avoided by grading.
- By grading there is fairness to both Buyers and Sellers.
- Properly graded IT Products are purchased by the consumer easily without inspection.
Hi Phil, does this need for gradation come from a legal or a statutory requirement or IT companies just do it as an industry practice? Also can these brands sell a refurbished product as new? As in can they remove the R/REF from the product’s serial number? Your blog is very informative. Looking forward.
Tina great question, Thank you for that. This is the market of used electronics, and there’s no way to control the “grading system” at an international level. There is NO SET MARKET PRICE for used electronics for the most part. The stock is used, or it’s new. Its the job of the salesperson to create the proper margin of that particular used product, so both parties are satisfied. The “Grade” is he say/she say… it is not a standard or a legal term. Also, you cannot just make something new from refurbished or used. It’s merely a useless marketing tactic just like a “certified used” car – It is still just a used car with a limited warranty. Know what you are buying, who you buy from, and always try and get a decent warranty.
Hi Phil, Im new to an ITAD company…I have a RFQ list that mentions grade M from a new vendor…can you help?
Mike I have never seen Grade M before. Can you give me more context?
Nice blog, It’s very helpful and informative blog. I got your blog about “Grading of computers, desktops, laptops, iPad, monitors, and PC’s”. This is a simple greeting with a smile will work.
Thank you
Hello Phil, so glad I found this blog. Super informative. I had something to ask. I received an excel sheet for laptops from an auction. They are all graded a-d, but also all labelled “not working” even the grade A’s .. What might this mean? They are clean and not working?
Delno, glad to meet you! That is confusing… I would email them and ask them if they have a detailed definition of each of there grades posted on their website or if they can email it to you. I hope that helps.
The grade B displays show the overhead florescent lights very well. Can we see a photo(s) or description of screen scratches, dead pixels, black spots? Scratches are OK, if not to the extent of a grade C. I will see when my grade B Dell monitor arrives, try to get photos of it in action. Overall, good article.