How it works

Buying a refurbished PC or laptop from us is straightforward. Every unit comes from our Edinburgh workshop, has been fully tested by our technicians, and is sold with a written warranty. Here's how the process works from listing to your door.

1. 1. We refurbish

   Every unit goes through a standard workshop process before it ever appears on this page:

   • Hardware diagnostic — CPU stress test, memory test (8 passes minimum), drive SMART check, GPU validation
   • Internal clean — dust removal, fan service, fresh thermal paste on the CPU and GPU where applicable
   • Fresh OS install — a clean copy of Windows 11 (or Linux on request), all drivers and BIOS/firmware updated to the latest stable version
   • Battery test — for laptops we measure actual battery health (mAh design vs. mAh full charge) and report it on the listing
   • 24-hour burn-in — every unit runs continuously for 24 hours under load to catch any intermittent faults before it leaves the workshop

   If a unit can't pass the burn-in, it doesn't get listed. Simple as that.

2. 2. We grade and photograph

   Once a unit passes testing it gets a cosmetic condition grade:

   • Grade A — Excellent. Looks close to new. No visible scratches or wear.
   • Grade B — Good. Light cosmetic wear consistent with normal office use. May have minor scuffs on the lid or palm rest.
   • Grade C — Fair. Visible cosmetic wear (scratches, scuffs, minor dents). Fully functional but used. Priced accordingly.

   Every listing includes real photos of the actual unit you'll receive — not stock photos. If a unit has a specific scratch or mark, you'll see it in the listing photos and read about it in the condition notes. No surprises on arrival.

3. 3. You reserve and pay by bank transfer

   Click Reserve & pay by bank transfer on the listing. Fill in your name, email, phone, and choose collection or delivery. You'll get an order page with our bank details and a unique reference like PRS-REFURB-X7K9P.

   Send the bank transfer using that reference. We hold the unit for 48 hours while your transfer clears. UK bank transfers usually clear within a working day; same-bank transfers are often instant. We'll email you as soon as the payment lands.

   No card processing. No 3% transaction fee, no card data stored anywhere, no Stripe or PayPal middlemen. It's a direct bank transfer between you and us.

4. 4. You collect or we deliver

   Once your payment clears, you choose how you want to receive the unit:

   • Collection from our workshop in Edinburgh. Free. We'll email you to arrange a time that suits. You can inspect the unit before you take it away.
   • Local delivery to EH postcodes for £15. We hand-deliver, usually same week. Useful if you can't make it to the workshop.

   Either way, the unit comes powered up and ready to use, with the OS configured to run through Windows' first-boot setup so you can sign in with your own Microsoft account if you want.

5. 5. Warranty kicks in

   Every unit comes with a 6-month written warranty covering hardware faults. If anything fails in that window we'll repair, replace, or refund — at our discretion, but always to your satisfaction.

   The warranty starts on the day you collect or the day we ship. Some units carry longer warranties — check the listing for the exact term. Read the full warranty terms for what's covered and how to claim.

Why buy refurbished from us?

• We're a working repair shop. These aren't units bought from a wholesale liquidator and shipped sight-unseen. They come through our workshop because we serviced them, tested them, and know exactly what's inside.
• Honest grading. We'd rather under-promise. A unit graded B from us tends to look better in person than a B from anonymous online resellers.
• Local accountability. If something goes wrong, you can email, call, or walk in. We're not an Amazon Marketplace storefront that disappears when there's a problem.
• Warranty backed by a real workshop. If your refurb fails inside the warranty window, the same engineers who tested it will fix it.
• Better for the planet. A laptop that gets four more years of work isn't a laptop that ends up in landfill. Refurbishment is hands-down the lowest-carbon way to get a working PC.

Common questions

Can I see the unit before I commit? Yes. If you're collecting, we'll let you inspect and power it up before you pay. If you're hesitating, drop by the workshop and we'll show you the unit in person.

What OS do they come with? Windows 11 by default, fully activated. We can also install a Linux distribution (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora) at no extra cost — just ask before you place the order.

Are the laptops sold with original chargers? Where possible, yes. If the original charger wasn't available we use a quality compatible replacement, and the listing will say so.

Can I trade my old PC against the cost? Yes. Get in touch with the spec of what you've got and we'll quote a trade-in value.

Do you offer business / VAT receipts? Yes. We're VAT-registered. Every paid order gets a numbered VAT invoice automatically. Some sales fall under the Margin Scheme for second-hand goods (HMRC) — those are clearly noted on the receipt.