Our In-House iPod Refurbishment

ByMike Moffit

Written by Art, art@smalldog.com, posted by Ed

With limited staffing in the warehouse lately, it’s been up to me to try and test some of the used iPods we have on hand in order to make them available for resale. It’s easy to do, and I can squeeze in four or five between my daily routine of running around the warehouse.

Producing a functional unit that our company can describe as Small Dog Refurbished, list with a decent warranty, and be confident in its operation, is something I try to take pride in.

In giving the iPods a thorough once over, one must make sure that:

  • the iPod itself is clean and presentable (substantially marred units are considered B goods and sold at a lower price),
  • the iPod can be restored and updated using the latest version of iTunes,
  • the iPod can receive and retain music and other data,
  • all buttons function properly,
  • all ports function properly,
  • the iPod’s battery takes and holds a charge,
  • all accessories are present and functional (we include factory-sealed earbuds with every SDR iPod),
  • the packaging looks close to original and is not compromised,
  • the product is labeled properly for stocking/picking purposes, and
  • the experience for the customer is a satisfying one where the iPod just works like it should with no questions asked.

These important steps are something we train to all Small Dog employees tasked with restoring and refurbishing the pre-owned iPods that we sell. Here’s a list of all the iPods we are currently offering on our website. Click here to see New, Demo, Small Dog Refurbished, and maybe some just plain used iPods.

Different categories, condition codes, and warranty coverage for each are decoded by clicking here. (scroll down a few questions for the exact relative section on condition codes)

For anyone who buys and receives an iPod from Small Dog and isn’t fully satisfied, I want to know about it.

Please feel free to contact me directly: art@smalldog.com

Similar Posts

  • Top 4th of July iPhone Apps

    If you’re looking to make the most of the upcoming 4th of July weekend, you know it means breaking out the grill, cranking…

  • Cold Weather vs. Your iPhone: Some Tips to Keep It Safe

    There are two things that I am constantly interacting with every day: Vermont’s bitter cold and my iPhone. Apple officially states you can safely use your iPhone between the temperatures of 32 and 95 degrees (F), but if you are like me and live in the real world, you’re probably popping these guys out during times where the radio is trying to tell you to stay inside (yeah right; I’m from Vermont, after all).

    It’s no surprise that the past four years have put a smartphone into the pockets of most Vermonters, but as we drift through these gruesome winter months, a mystery still remains: What are we mountain folk actually subjecting these devices to?

    The first thing to consider — and most important to me — is the battery. The chemicals in the Lithium-Ion batteries totally hate extreme temperatures and will drain much faster than they should. In some cases, your battery will display a decent amount of a charge but in reality, will be on its final leg, and you will discover your phone dying out of nowhere.

    If this does happen, DO NOT TURN IT ON.

    Wait until you get inside and your phone warms up to room temp. Although the effect of cold weather draining your battery is temporary (phew!), you can permanently shorten your battery’s lifespan by trying to power it on immediately after it shuts down. Grandma’s Facebook comments on your pics aren’t going anywhere, so just wait until your phone warms up to check out what she said!

    The next thing the cold will try to kill is your screen! Cold temperatures tend to make your LCD screen way more sensitive then it usually is. Watch how you are applying pressure to your screen, especially if you have any pre-existing cracks and knicks! I had a customer come into the store last week and tell me about how she was talking on her iPhone outside and all of a sudden, heard this pop in her ear. When she looked, the pressure from her fingers mixed with the cold had cracked her screen in half! Definitely keep chats on your phone outside to a minimum!

    One final thing to look out for is condensation. Liquid is the number one enemy to your electronics. Much like your windows, condensation will form underneath your display as your phone travels from the cold to your warm houses. This will cause liquid to damage and corrode your internal parts! This will literally break your phone beyond repair, causing you to have to purchase a new one!

    There are some simple ways to avoid these catastrophes:

    # Keep your phone in a pocket close to your body — DO NOT leave your phone in a bag or in the car
    # Turn it off — your phone can endure a wider temperature range from -4 to 113 degrees (F) if it’s off
    # Purchase a case — not only do these guys provide physical protection, in some cases they provide insulation
    # Charge your iPhone before bringing it outside — this will give your battery the strength it needs to survive
    # Finally, do not get it wet in the snow — perhaps the most obvious one, but please watch where you are busting that phone out!

    So, as a reminder, keep it safe everyone — and be mindful about when you answer that text. Is it really worth replacing your iPhone because you had to check on that smiley emoticon text from mom?

  • Allen Approved v2.0!

    With school starting right around the corner I’ve found myself helping lots of friends by setting up their new Macs. One of the…

  • iPod Fakes: Followup

    I just wanted to make a followup post to Ed’s previous post. This poor customer had brought in a “iPod” and was wondering…