Circular Monday 2026: How to Compare Refurbished Deals Before Buying New
4 min read
Circular Monday 2026 falls on Monday, 23 November, according to circularmonday.com, and the organiser says it marks the campaign's tenth anniversary (checked 10 October 2026). Black Friday follows four days later, on 27 November. The idea for electronics: used instead of new, or at least check first. That only helps if the refurbished offer isn't measured against the wrong new price.
What is Circular Monday?
Per circularmonday.com, it's a global non-profit initiative and not a sale day. The campaign lists four routes, from buying better to borrowing, and discounts aren't among them. The first, "Buy Better", fits electronics: "Find resale, refurbished and pre-owned options before you buy new." The day used to be called White Monday (all checked 10 October 2026).
Circular Monday Germany: is there a 2026 programme?
Sort of. Germany is listed in Circular Monday's country database, with a local contact. No events are entered there (as of 10 October 2026).
Where does the comparison with the new price go wrong?
Where unequal offers sit side by side. Say a refurbished iPhone with 128 GB next to the new price of the 256 GB version. The price gap looks like a saving but partly just measures the gap between the devices.
A Bitkom survey from 17 March 2025 found that 18 percent of people in Germany have bought a professionally refurbished smartphone and 30 percent a used one without professional refurbishment. Among those who haven't bought a used one, 55 percent want a flawless device and 40 percent value the full manufacturer's warranty. Condition gets its own field below. The manufacturer's warranty doesn't, since it isn't the statutory warranty.
How do you compare refurbished, used and new fairly?
With the same eight fields for every offer, on Circular Monday 2026 or any other day. Only once model and storage match does the price deserve a look.
| Field | What you note |
|---|---|
| Model | Exact name and generation |
| Storage | Capacity, plus RAM on a laptop |
| Condition grade | The grade and the shop's own scale. "Very good" doesn't mean the same everywhere (condition grades compared) |
| Battery | Whatever the listing promises, if anything (what the percentage means) |
| Statutory warranty | 24 months, shortenable to 12 months for used goods under certain conditions (IT-Recht Kanzlei). A voluntary warranty is something else (warranty or statutory warranty) |
| Returns | 14-day withdrawal right online from a trader (Your Europe), not from a private seller. Return shipping: who pays? |
| Contract partner | The shop itself, or a single seller on a platform? Stiftung Warentest (22 February 2023) draws exactly that line (marketplace or direct sale) |
| Price date | The date of every price, shipping included |
Our post on the condition price premium covers whether the better grade is worth it. The legal notes are general information, not legal advice.
Circular Monday 2026 or Black Friday: when should you compare?
On the Monday.
The checklist won't tell you whether a discount on 27 November is real, though. Our Black Friday check for refurbished discounts covers that.
If you sort refurbished deals in November by the eight fields on the 23rd, you'll probably spot faster on Friday whether a deal is cheaper or just advertised louder. Even if the price never moves, you'll still have a clean comparison, and that's worth more than any strikethrough price.
Refurbito compares offers that shops publish. We don't sell anything and we haven't tested the devices ourselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Circular Monday 2026?
Per circularmonday.com, on Monday, 23 November 2026, four days before Black Friday on 27 November (checked 10 October 2026).
Is there an official Circular Monday in Germany?
Germany is listed in the organiser's country database, but no events are entered there (as of 10 October 2026). An official German programme isn't documented.
Is Circular Monday a discount day?
No. Discounts aren't among the campaign's four routes. It asks people to check used or refurbished first.
How long is the statutory warranty on used goods?
Generally 24 months from a trader in Germany. IT-Recht Kanzlei says the trader may shorten it to 12 months for used goods, but only after telling you specifically before you order and agreeing it expressly and separately. General information, not legal advice.
