Resale

Criteria: I can resell the product to someone and it will still work.

See this test in action:

• Smart lock
• Smart pressure cooker
• Smart baby monitor

Methodology for Assessing Each Indicator

1) If a consumer sells the product on the private market, the new owner has access to the full functionality of the original product.

• Read the product’s legal documents, particularly the terms of service.
• Search the manufacturer’s website for terms such as “sale” or “transfer.”
• Search the manufacturer’s help documentation or “frequently asked questions” for instructions on how to “wipe” or “factory reset” the product.
• Look for language describing the purchaser’s ability to reassign or sell the product, the software that runs on the product, or software which is required in order to use the product.
• Look for information about how to activate the product and set up a new account after a second-hand purchase.
• If there is any indication that second-hand purchasers can take the same or similar steps to activate the product as a new purchaser would, mark PASS.
• If the legal documents or other language indicates that resale is prohibited, or if there is no indication that second-hand purchasers can take the same or similar steps to activate the product as a new purchaser would, mark FAIL.

2) The company does not restrict the transfer of ownership.

• Read the product’s legal documents, particularly the terms of service.
• Search the manufacturer’s website for terms such as “sale” or “transfer.”
• Search the manufacturer’s help documentation or “frequently asked questions” for instructions on how to “wipe” or “factory reset” the product.
• Look for language describing the purchaser’s ability to reassign or sell the product, the software that runs on the product, or software which is required in order to use the product.
• Look for information about what happens to a purchaser’s associated account if they sell the product, or how a second-hand purchaser can reset or “wipe” the product after buying it.
• If there is an affirmative statement of the purchaser’s right to sell the product, or if the documents describe what happens in the case of sale of the product, mark PASS.
• If there is no such affirmative statement but there are also no limitations on the sale of the product, mark PARTIAL PASS.
• If the legal documents explicitly prohibit the sale or transfer of the product, mark FAIL.