It’s normal to think that a product that’s deemed refurbished is somehow lesser than what it was when it was first new. It means someone’s bought the item, taken it out of the box, used it, and returned it for reasons unknown. Then there’s the further perception that some unknown third party takes the item, fixes it up, and returns it to the floor for sale. While it’s true that someone bought the product and returned it, what’s not true is how the item was handled between the time it was returned to the store and then put back on the shelf.
Electronics and appliances are held to a higher operational standard than the average consumer good. Manufacturers don’t want to spend their time dealing with returns because they didn’t put enough effort into the design and construction processes in the first place. Putting out a quality product from the start results in less returns, but it also means the product can be returned to like-new condition.
When a manufacturer receives its merchandise for refurbishment, it’s goal is to make the item as good as new. Parts are replaced with the same or superior components, software gets updated, and blemishes are minimized or removed entirely. But because the product has already been sold once, returned, opened up and worked on, the premium that comes with buying new is gone. That means you, the buyer, get the product returned to like-new condition and at a much lower price. You won’t notice a difference in quality or performance in the unit because it’s been restored by the manufacturer even though you’re paying less for it.
Don’t be afraid of refurbished goods. Go in person to the store and see for yourself why you can’t go wrong buying merchandise that’s been restored to like-new condition by its manufacturer.
