Are refurbished electronics as good as new electronics?
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Looking for a great deal on a new cell phone, television, MP3 player or computer? Consumers looking to save cash on these and other purchases may have the option of buying a refurbished product for a fraction of the retail price. If you haven't already researched refurbished merchandise the following information may be beneficial in helping you determine if factory reconstructed products can save you money on your next purchase.
How Do Refurbished Products Differ From New Products?
The definition of refurbish is to rebuild or replenish with all new material or to restore to original (or better) working order and appearance. As a consumer when you purchase refurbished merchandise you are buying a product that has been previously sold and returned to the manufacturer for a variety of reasons. If applicable the product is fixed and then repackaged and resold at a deep discount. The following examples are just a few of the reasons products are returned.
Defective Devices- Electronic devices are usually tested before being sold however not all defects are caught in quality control. Or perhaps something goes wrong with the device shortly after it is received. In that case the consumer generally has the option to return the device at which point the manufacturer replaces the defective parts and resells the product.
Customer Returns- With many retailers offering a 30-day return policy consumers who are on the fence about trying a new product are more inclined to make the purchase knowing they have the option of returning the product if it doesn't meet their needs. Many refurbished items are simply customer returns that are reinspected and repackaged for resale.
Damaged Items- Some products arrive at the retail store with damage at which point they are returned to the manufacturer. This damage may have occurred during shipping (which may only involve the box or container the merchandise was shipped in) or actual cosmetic damage to the product itself. Cosmetic damage may be in the form of a scratch or dent in the merchandise that has no affect on the products function. These items are not easily sold by retailers and often end up being resold for a fraction of their original cost.
Before You Buy
There are a few things you should take into account before buying refurbished merchandise. Many products when bought new have a return policy or warranty in place. While you may not get the same policy for a refurbished product you should be looking for a manufacturer that offers some options if you find you are unhappy with your purchase. This may come in the form of a limited warranty or shorter return policy than if you had purchased the product new.
SOURCE:
http://www.helium.com/items/1414057-refurbished-electronics-quality
How Do Refurbished Products Differ From New Products?
The definition of refurbish is to rebuild or replenish with all new material or to restore to original (or better) working order and appearance. As a consumer when you purchase refurbished merchandise you are buying a product that has been previously sold and returned to the manufacturer for a variety of reasons. If applicable the product is fixed and then repackaged and resold at a deep discount. The following examples are just a few of the reasons products are returned.
Defective Devices- Electronic devices are usually tested before being sold however not all defects are caught in quality control. Or perhaps something goes wrong with the device shortly after it is received. In that case the consumer generally has the option to return the device at which point the manufacturer replaces the defective parts and resells the product.
Customer Returns- With many retailers offering a 30-day return policy consumers who are on the fence about trying a new product are more inclined to make the purchase knowing they have the option of returning the product if it doesn't meet their needs. Many refurbished items are simply customer returns that are reinspected and repackaged for resale.
Damaged Items- Some products arrive at the retail store with damage at which point they are returned to the manufacturer. This damage may have occurred during shipping (which may only involve the box or container the merchandise was shipped in) or actual cosmetic damage to the product itself. Cosmetic damage may be in the form of a scratch or dent in the merchandise that has no affect on the products function. These items are not easily sold by retailers and often end up being resold for a fraction of their original cost.
Before You Buy
There are a few things you should take into account before buying refurbished merchandise. Many products when bought new have a return policy or warranty in place. While you may not get the same policy for a refurbished product you should be looking for a manufacturer that offers some options if you find you are unhappy with your purchase. This may come in the form of a limited warranty or shorter return policy than if you had purchased the product new.
SOURCE:
http://www.helium.com/items/1414057-refurbished-electronics-quality