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Opinions Vary On Quality Of Refurbished Items
Carl Deveraux
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It’s a simple process, really when a person returns at item to the retailer because it wasn’t what they were looking for, or it didn’t work they way they thought it should. Sometimes it doesn’t work at all and they take it back for another one. The retailer then sends it back to the manufacturer to get their money back and everyone is happy.
Everyone, that is except the manufacturer, which now has a used item in its inventory. Instead of throwing it away, they take it, refurbish it, put it into a new package and sell it again. Under federal law, the item must be clearly marked as having been refurbished before it enters the retail chain for the second time and in many cases, the item will carry a similar manufacturer’s warrant than a brand new, never used item.
The difference in quality, according to many folks is the definition of refurbished. To most, it means the item has been thoroughly inspected, any loose or possibly damaged parts have been replaced with new ones and it has undergone an inspection procedure to insure it will function in the same way as a new item. Others believe that it is plugged in, turned on and if it works, is repackaged and resold.
Unfortunately, some manufacturers contract out their refurbishing jobs and those companies may simply take the item, wipe off the dust and put it in a new box. In all cases, though it is supposed to be marked as refurbished and if it is done properly, will often exceed the original manufacturer’s warranted life. Provided it is accompanied by the manufacturer’s warranty, the only thing the consumer is gaining, is the lower price typically charged for refurbished merchandise.
Buyers of refurbished items should be wary of warranty details, as they may not be the same as what is offered on new merchandise from the same company. Some refurbished items may be sold at a ridiculously low price, but will exclude any warranty. These are the items that are usually wiped clean and repackaged. Essentially it is the same as buying it from a garage sale or flea market or out of someone’s truck in a parking lot.
Most major retailers shy away from selling refurbished merchandise due to the inconsistency of the quality of the products and the way some manufacturers perform the inspections. Not everything that is tagged as factory refurbished ever make it to the actual factory. By outsourcing the clean-up process, the tag can still be used if the company doing the repackaged is authorized by the factory.
Some of the major manufacturers, wanting to keep their integrity undamaged, will have the items completely inspected to guarantee they work just as the new ones, and package the items into boxes that do not carry the same graphics as the new ones, bearing distinct notice that the item was refurbished in the factory. A lower price, often as much as 50 percent off, accompanies the item along with a limited warranty.
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| Opinions Vary On Quality Of Refurbished Items |
| It’s a simple process, really when a person returns at item to the retailer because it wasn’t what they were looking for, or it didn’t work they way they thought it should. Sometimes it doesn’t work at all and they take it back for another one. The retailer then sends it back to the manufacturer to get their money back and everyone is happy. more |
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| Buy Refurbished Merchandise With Eyes Wide Open |
| The prospect of getting a brand name product at half price or less can be very appealing, especially for high-end products, and buying factory reconditioned merchandise can often save big bucks. However, when considering the purchase of refurbished merchandise, buyers need to look past the price tag and completely understand what it is they are getting for their money. more |
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| Refurbished Electronics Can Save Tons Of Cash |
| Most everyone would like to own the latest technological gizmos but lack the financial resources to buy the newest electronics. One way around the high price tag is buying refurbished, or factory reconditioned, merchandise when it finds it way back to a retailer’s shelves. more |
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| Understanding What Factory Refurbished Really Means |
| Before making the decision to totally ignore the lower prices that accompany factory refurbished merchandise, it may pay to take a look at what exactly the term means. Many believe that reconditioned merchandise is substandard and if it had a problem to begin with, it will probably be a lemon forever. However, it most cases a factory refurbished merchandise exceeds the manufacturer’s specifications for the same it when it was new. more |
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