Verkkokauppa.com removed underperforming computers from its selection – replaced with more efficient refurbished devices at the same price

Media release 6 September 2024

Verkkokauppa.com came up with a surprising solution in the name of customer orientation: The company removed Windows computers with underperforming processors from its selection and replaced them with higher-quality used computers. The act was made to live-up to the target of extending the life of electronics as well as to offer sustainable alternatives for those shopping on a student budget.

Verkkokauppa.com's FWD: products are computers, tablets and phones removed from business use, which have been emptied and refurbished to make them as good as new.

The beginning of school year is a significant season for computer sales, and many people are now looking for a laptop that fits the student budget for high school or university studies. However, one should be careful when shopping for computers, because the low-quality processors of the cheapest computers can surprise a consumer who is not familiar with the subject.

According to Verkkokauppa.com's experts, a computer purchased on the basis of a cheap price tag may contain significant flaws, e.g. in the device's performance, upgradeability and connections.

”We want to offer our customers long-lasting and high-quality solutions, and in our opinion, a computer that barely meets the minimum requirements of the Windows operating system are not of this type. The processor of the cheapest computers is often underperforming, so using basic functions is slow and the user experience itself remains poor. In the cheapest devices, even basic parts such as memory or storage media cannot be replaced, which is why their lifespan is actually quite short," says Verkkokauppa.com's long-term purchasing manager Antti Aulavuori.

New Windows PCs with Intel Celeron and N100 processors replaced with refurbished alternatives

According to the Electronics Sustainability barometer* carried out by Verkkokauppa.com, 41% of Finns expect electronics retailers to remove short-lived or otherwise sustainability-wise problematic products from their selections.

According to the same survey, more than half of Finns would choose a used device when replacing an old one.

"With this change, we took a conscious risk, because some of our customers are still avoiding used devices. However, the future of used electronics looks bright, because according to our latest responsibility barometer, 62% of Finns and as many as 75% of Verkkokauppa.com's current customers would be willing to buy used devices if they were better available," comments Suvituuli Tuukkanen, Verkkokauppa.com's director responsible for marketing, communication and sustainability.

The prices of laptops under the FWD: brand launched by Verkkokauppa.com two years ago start at 100 euros, and models from Apple, HP, Lenovo and Dell are currently available. Just like new ones, used laptops are also offered a three-year warranty.

"Our goal is to extend the life cycle of electronic devices and we are also ready for bold moves. The used device is not only ecological, but also a friendlier choice for the wallet", sums up Tuukkanen.

*Verkkokauppa.com carried out a survey to find out the thoughts of Finns regarding the responsible purchasing and consumption of electronics. The survey was conducted by Kantar in May 2024. 1,044 Finns between the ages of 18 and 79 answered the survey. The survey results will be published more widely in September.

Discover the FWD: products »

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Verkkokauppa.com is an e-commerce pioneer that stands passionately on the customer’s side. Verkkokauppa.com accelerates the transition of commerce to online with Finland’s fastest deliveries and ultimate convenience. The company leads the way by offering one-hour deliveries to almost 700,000 customers, a winning assortment and probably always cheaper prices. Every day, the company strives to find more streamlined ways to surpass its customers´ expectations and to create a new norm for buying and owning. Verkkokauppa.com was founded in 1992 and has been online since day one. The company’s revenue in 2023 was EUR 503 million and it employs around 700 people. Verkkokauppa.com is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange