Hi Reader,
As a tech reviewer, I review tech from all sorts of big and small brands. Some of these brands are very popular and some are less known, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
That’s why, based on my experience with buying and getting items sent from less—known brands, I decided to share the things which I think you should know before buying…
Price vs. Value
In many cases, we choose to go with lesser-known brands because they offer considerably cheaper products compared to the big brands.
While the low prices can be tempting, it is essential to weigh the price against the value offered. A cheaper product may lack features, have poor build quality, or the brand may offer limited support. That is why it is important to consider the total cost of ownership, which should include any potential repairs or replacements.
You know that saying, buy cheap, buy twice?
Well, it doesn’t have to be like that at all, and just because a product is cheaper doesn’t mean it’s worse than more expensive options. As an example, I’ve tested many budget earbuds over the last couple of years, and I’ve had quite a few models surprise me with their quality.
Brand Reputation
It is essential that you look at the reputation of the brand before buying a product. But this may be difficult with lesser-known and entrant brands.
I recommend looking at customer reviews, and information about the brand as well as the brand's history, mission, and values.
Brands that prioritise customer satisfaction and have a track record of producing quality products are more likely to offer a positive experience.
Software Updates and Security
Software updates are crucial for maintaining the security and functionality of tech devices. Established brands usually tend to provide regular updates to fix bugs and enhance features.
Lesser-known brands may not have the same level of commitment, but sometimes you may be in for a surprise. That is why research is key, and you should look at the brand as well as the security risks of not having that type of device updated regularly.
Warranty and Returns
As with any tech item you buy, it is important that you check out the warranty and returns policy.
It’s no secret that sometimes tech items go wrong, or maybe your purchase wasn’t what you were expecting. But that could be with any brand, both big and small.
With smaller brands, it’s even more important to have a look at the warranty on offer and returns policy as due to the fact that it’s a small brand, they may have a more restrictive returns policy and warranty.
If It's Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is!
If you see a lot of positive reviews about a product, but the reviews seem a bit off, there’s a good chance that they are.
Don’t get me wrong, you can pick up some fantastic deals online on basic tech and accessories, but I’m seeing more and more of the too-good-to-be-true content on social media.
It’s sad to see, but some influencers even go as far as lying to their audience. As an example, I recently came across a TikTok where an influencer was saying that a £60 smartphone was better than her iPhone 15 Pro Max.
I mean, maybe it was for a particular reason such as price, but the influencer didn’t mention that and just said that it was better. To make things worse, there were thousands of bot-like comments saying how good the phone is.
Sadly, I am seeing more and more of this type of content on all social platforms.
Conclusion
To conclude this newsletter, I wanted to say that not all small or lesser-known brands are bad, they’re just small, and we all have to start from somewhere, right?
There are some great lesser-known brands out there that offer excellent products, but there are some brands that don’t, and it’s our job to be careful when we buy and do our research.
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Take care Reader,
