FAQ's
We are committed to customer satisfaction and work hard to ensure that all equipment concerns are resolved quickly and completely. The following section provides answers to some of the frequently asked questions about 2NDGEAR. If you still have questions after viewing that page, please contact our customer service at +1 (800) 506-6704 or visit our customer service portal.
Why 2NDGEAR?
Why shop with 2NDGEAR?
2NDGEAR is a leading supplier of Certified IT equipment including servers, networking equipment, laptops, desktops, computer monitors, data storage and accessories.
For over 30 years, we have helped many industries obtain affordable enterprise 2NDGEAR class technology, including medical and education, as well as small, medium, and large businesses such as, call centers, mortgage and real estate companies looking for cost-effective technology.
2NDGEAR offers off-lease, refurbished, but also factory recertified products that are fully tested at prices as low as 75% off the original retail price. We have a wide range of tier-1 equipment that can be customized and configured to your specific needs.
Interested in finding out why 97% of our customers keep buying from us? Contact us or call our toll-free number: +1 (888) 987-8699.
What is 2NDGEAR all about?
Our mission is to provide high-end technology at affordable prices while helping the environment and eliminating e-waste.
Do you buy, sell, trade and repair Apple computers?
Yes, we buy, sell and trade refurbished Apple computers. However we do not repair computers.
What makes 2NDGEAR different from its competitors?
- We are an American tax paying organization that employs over 250 people across the US.
- We have offices throughout the US, coast to coast.
- In addition to our full range of IT solutions, we also offer IT consulting services through our sister division, Red8, and leasing solutions through our Insight Financial Services arm.
- We also have an online customer service portal.
Where does 2NDGEAR operate?
2NDGEAR operates across the United States with offices on both coasts and personnel all over the country.
Does 2NDGEAR export?
Yes. 2NDGEAR has an Import/Export team dedicated to the international market. If you are interested in our products, please request a quote or contact +1 (888) 987-8699 as our site does not allow transactions from abroad.
What are the differences between Education and Business products?
The main difference comes down to the operating system loaded with the system. Equipment loaded with the Windows RRP license is dedicated to the Education market. Systems equipped with Windows MAR (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher) are for commercial use.
Warranty
What’s the warranty on your equipment?
2NDGEAR provides an advance replacement warranty at no cost to you for replacing parts and equipment covered under our warranty terms. 2NDGEAR offers a 3-year warranty on all Laptops, Desktops, Servers and LCD Monitors and a 2-year warranty on storage products.
In the event of a product defect, we will ship your replacement product before your return arrives at our Tech Center and within 48hrs of your request.
What does the warranty include?
Our warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship in your equipment when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s published specifications, user manuals or other manufacturer instructions (“Published Guidelines”). As part of this warranty, 2NDGEAR will also provide technical assistance via telephone to answer questions which you may have during your set-up of the Equipment. Learn more about our Advance Replacement Warranty terms.
Should you need to reach our Customer Service department, please call Toll Free: +1 (800) 506-6704
Do you have a Customer Service department?
We have trained and friendly professionals with over 50 years of combined experience here to help answer your technical questions regarding products, setup and warranty. Please call Toll Free: +1 (800) 506-6704
How much would it cost me to replace the initial product I purchased?
The 2NDGEAR Advance Replacement program means no cost to you for replacing parts and equipment.
Our Products
What comes with each computer?
Keyboard and mouse come with each desktop and an AC adapter ships with each system.
Can I purchase computers preloaded with our image?
Yes, we can assist with imaging devices.
Do manuals come with the computer?
No. Nevertheless our products come with a 3-year warranty which includes tech support via phone. If you have trouble setting up your computer, give us a call. Toll Free: +1 (800) 506-6704
The item I am looking at only says it has a DVD-ROM. Will I still be able to use regular CD’s with it?
Yes. However, any item including a DVD-ROM drive does not ship with software to play DVD movies because we do not have the license to load such software. Though, there are plenty of free programs that we would be happy to recommend.
Does my system come with wireless capability?
All our laptops come with Wi-Fi capability.
Can I customize / upgrade the system I am interested in?
Yes. The following is available for upgrade:
- RAM
- Hard drives (capacity upgrade, SSD…)
- Optical drives
- Video cards
- Software
- Keyboards, mice, and speakers
Just drop us an inquiry regarding the item you are interested in or give us a call at 1.888.987.8699. Our reps will be happy to help you build a system that matches your requirements.
Can I get pricing on Quantity Orders?
How often do you add new product to the 2NDGEAR site?
New laptop, desktop and monitor inventory is generally added at the beginning of each month. Server, Storage and Networking equipment are usually updated mid-month.
What does “No OS” mean?
“No OS” means that the computer does not contain an Operating System by default.
What does “MAR” mean?
MAR means Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher. What this means for our Commercial customers is that, as a MAR, we are able to offer systems at very competitive prices while following the most rigorous refurbishing standards.
What does “RRP” mean?
RRP means Registered Refurbisher Program. By being a member of the Microsoft RRP, we are able to offer our Education customers IT equipment at very competitive prices while following the most rigorous refurbishing standards.
What does refurbished, factory recertified, off-lease mean?
At 2NDGEAR, a product will fall under the “refurbished” umbrella if it matches one of the following criteria:
- The equipment comes from an OEM’s unsold inventory.
- The initial owner returned the item to the manufacturer without even opening the box or using it at all. Such items get labeled “factory recertified” on our site.
- In many case the product has been used and was acquired from a leasing reseller or from the Business sector at the end of its leasing cycle. Such item is considered “off-lease”.
Any system entering our tech center goes through a stringent inspection process. We begin with a thorough test of the device’s current functionality and ensure the unit functions as well as it did when new. After being cleaned, both inside and out, the product is restored to the original equipment manufacturer specifications or upgraded upon the customer’s request and tested one last time prior to shipping.
We are so confident about our refurbishing process that we will back up any laptop, desktop, server, network switch and monitor purchase with a 3-year advance cross-ship warranty. We also cover storage products for 2 years.
Buying refurbished with 2NDGEAR does not mean buying “used”. We stay behind our products while guaranteeing you low cost of ownership, peace of mind, responsive customer support and a wide range of IT services during the entire life cycle of your assets.
If you would like to speak with us today, please call 1.888.987.8699 to discuss your IT needs and how we can get you the right refurbished equipment at the affordable price you are looking to spend.
Does used equipment have a higher failure rate than new?
Actually the failure rate is slightly lower for the 2NDGEAR used equipment as the equipment has been operating flawlessly for a minimum of two years and is checked twice before leaving the prem2NDGEARs. Our dead on arrival rate is less than 3% which compares favorably to new which averages 5%.
If I buy an older machine, can I expect to have problems with my software / OS becoming obsolete?
No. We make sure that the software installed on our systems fully match today’s standards. We are currently loading PC’s with Windows 10 Professional upon request.
We also offer configuration upgrades based on your specific needs. Feel free to contact us or call 1.888.987.8699.
How come a lot of your items are tagged with a “back order” or “out of stock” label?
2NDGEAR is committed to provide our visitors with the most up-to-date information and the best shopping experience when visiting our website.
Out of stock items
Our inventory is usually updated on a monthly basis, sometimes more frequently. Should we temporarily run out of a given system, we will tag it as “out of stock” until we can get more supply.
Back order items
Thanks to our vast and solid network of vendors (computer manufacturers, leasing companies, resellers, and wholesalers), 2NDGEAR is able to get hands on large quantities of off-lease equipment that are often unavailable elsewhere. As a result if more supply is on its way for a product that is actually not physically at our warehouse yet, we will list it as “back order” until we can make it available for purchase.
If you are interested in a product that is either out of stock or back ordered, please leave us a quote request. We will be glad to help you. We constantly refresh our inventory to keep up with our customers’ needs and we have the resources to help you find and design custom configurations.
Services
In addition to providing equipment, do you handle IT services? What type of services can you provide with the purchase a system?
2NDGEAR offers services that a typical business or organization will require over time. To make your life easier, we offer the following services:
- Asset Monetization
- Data Sanitization
- Accidental Damage Protection
- Installations and Software loading
- Deployment
- Office Relocation
- Onsite Help Desk
- E-Waste Recycling
To get a quote on your next project or learn more about these services, simply Call 1-888-987-8699 to speak with a representative.
Can we test your products?
Our Demo Program provides you the opportunity to demo our laptop and desktop computer equipment for 14 days at your location before you purchase it. We are so confident about our products that we pay for shipping on the product both ways!
When it comes to your customer service what is the standard turnaround time for the replacement parts/machine?
In the event of a product defect, we will ship your replacement product before your return arrives at our Tech Center and within 48 hours of your request.
Can we trade IT Equipment with 2NDGEAR?
Yes. You can upgrade your existing IT equipment through a simple trade-in / trade-out.
We are always interested in purchasing retired IT assets – PC’s, LCD’s, Laptops, Storage, Networking, Servers – from private businesses, K-12 schools, and colleges. And in case you are worried about the proceeds of your IT sale not going back to your IT department, 2NDGEAR can actually credit the sale to a future purchase of new or used equipment.
Who can trade equipment with 2NDGEAR?
We trade large quantities with mid to large organizations, leasing resellers, recyclers, data destruction experts, and other used computer buyers.
How much do you offer to trade/buy computers?
It will depend on the year and make of the model. We will pay more for recent (2-5 years old) Dell and HP business computers than most other options from recyclers, data destruction experts, and other used computer buyers.
Do you offer financing services?
Yes. We can help you lease or finance IT equipment through our Insight Financial Services division.
Can you provide white glove service?
Absolutely. 2NDGEAR offers inside delivery, installation, configuration and eWaste services. We will set your product up in your environment, provide cable management solutions, integrate, configure and haul away trash or retired assets you have. We can even data sanitize those items for you.
Refurbishing process
Refurbished vs. used, what’s the difference?
“Used” refers to systems that were bought, used, and sold after usage without any warranty, certification, or reputable company to back up the purchase of such. These can be found being sold by individuals who might be selling their old product online on auction or classified ads websites.
Additional money may be spent as there is usually no prom2NDGEAR of how long the machine will work. Moreover, there is usually no connection between the buyer and the seller after the purchase has been made.
Although the words “refurbished” and “used” seem synonymous this is not always the case. The following reasons would make a product fall under the “refurbished” umbrella:
- The equipment comes from an OEM’s unsold inventory.
- The initial owner returned the item to the manufacturer without even opening the box or using it at all. Such items get labeled “factory recertified” on our site.
- The product has been used and was acquired from a leasing reseller or from the Business sector at the end of its leasing cycle. Such item is considered “off-lease”.
2NDGEAR specializes in refurbished systems that are not just used items. They come from reliable sources like computer manufacturers, leasing resellers, Fortune 500 companies, and wholesalers.
Any system entering our tech center goes through a stringent inspection process. We begin with a thorough test of the device’s current functionality and ensure the unit functions as well as it did when new. After being cleaned, both inside and out, the product is restored to the original equipment manufacturer specifications or upgraded upon the customer’s request and tested one last time prior to shipping.
We are so confident about our refurbishing process that we will back up any laptop, desktop, server, network switch and monitor purchase with a 3-year advance cross-ship warranty. We also cover storage products for 2 years.
Buying refurbished with 2NDGEAR does not mean buying “used”. We stay behind our products while guaranteeing you low cost of ownership, peace of mind, responsive customer support and a wide range of IT services during the entire life cycle of your assets.
If you would like to speak with us today, please call 1.888.987.8699 to discuss your IT needs and see how we can get you the right refurbished equipment at the affordable price you are looking to spend.
How reliable is your refurbishing process?
Our equipment is thoroughly inspected, cleaned, and restored to the original equipment manufacturer specifications by our technicians.
2NDGEAR also is a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR). We follow strict requirements established by Microsoft to ensure customers receive a high-quality, professionally refurbished device installed with genuine Microsoft Windows.
How can you provide a 3-Year on most equipment?
2NDGEAR has been in business for 30 years. Being on the field for that long helped us to build a dense network of reliable providers like computer manufacturers, leasing resellers, Fortune 500 companies, and wholesalers.
Furthermore any system entering our tech center goes through a stringent inspection process. We begin with a thorough test of the device’s current functionality and ensure the unit functions as well as it did when new. After being cleaned, both inside and out, the product is restored to the original equipment manufacturer specifications or upgraded upon the customer’s request and tested one last time prior to shipping.
Providing refurbished IT equipment for many years also helped us get a pretty deep understanding of our customers’ needs especially in the education sector where the refresh cycle is about 3 years.
Although we offer shorter terms and more flexible warranty options, we stay behind our products with our 3-Year advance replacement warranty by default.
Do you sell new computers?
Yes and no. Although we sell refurbished products, we sometimes receive items in pristine condition falling under the “factory sealed” or “factory recertified” category.
This equipment may come from a manufacturer’ unsold inventory. We may also receive a product that a customer returns to the OEM without even opening the box or using it at all. We will classify such equipment as “new / factory sealed”.
If I decide to make a bulk order, will all the items shipped be identical?
Yes. If that is a requirement on your order, we will ship identical items.
Shipping
What are the different options to receive my order?
We ship our packages via:
-
FedEx Ground (5-7 days)
- FedEx Standard Overnight
- FedEx 2 Day
- FedEx Express Saver
Local customers are welcome to pick up their equipment at our facility usually 2-3 days after ordering on Monday through Friday from 8 am-5:30am.
Our tech center is located at:
7501 Meridian PL NW, Suite B-3
Albuquerque, NM 87121
What is the lead time before the equipment ships?
The lead time is usually between 3 and 4 business days. Please make sure your billing and shipping information is accurate and matches your credit card. From time to time we may need to contact you for additional information if discrepancies are identified.
How long will it take to receive my order?
Once we receive your order, your items will usually ship in 5-7 business days. Please make sure your billing and shipping information is accurate and matches your credit card. From time to time we may need to contact you for additional information if discrepancies are identified.
Can I change the shipping method on my order after the order is placed?
What happens if the shipping address is incorrect or I refuse delivery?
If your order is delivered damaged or incorrect, we will make it right. We are liable for the equipment until it arrives safely at your dock.
Is there an option for same day shipping?
At this time 2NDGEAR does not offer same day shipping.
Are there any “ship to” address restrictions?
There are certain denied parties / countries to which we cannot ship. Let us know your shipping needs and we’ll work with you.
What are your opening hours?
We are open Monday through Friday 8am–5:30pm.
Tax
Do you accept tax exemptions and if so, how do I place an order to receive my exemption?
Yes and no. We currently do not accept tax exemptions on our site. However, for offline purchases, you can submit your tax exempt form along with your signed proposal to your representative.
Procurement
Where do you get your equipment from?
2NDGEAR get its supply straight from major manufacturers but also from mid to large organizations (Fortune 500 companies, universities) , leasing resellers, recyclers, data destruction experts, and other used computer buyers.
Can you provide the quantity that I need 3 to 6 months down the road of the same or similar product, if I buy this from you today?
How do you get products that are out of stock elsewhere?
2NDGEAR is backed by a vast network of vendors mostly composed of major manufacturers, mid to large organizations (Fortune 500 companies, universities), and leasing resellers like our sister company Insight Financial Services.