Refurbished?

[Bg260]

Just looking for some opinions as to what "refurbished" actually means. In particular, electronics, computer parts and such, but this word can be applied to a wide variety of products so any opinions are welcome.
To me, I have always considered that refurbished means at least one new component.... from there it's a grey area.
I'd also like opinions from both a buyers and sellers prospective.
Thanks

 

[kate]

Factory Refurbished or Manufacturer Refurbished usually means it's been tested and restored to meet original device specifications, basically like new with any worn parts replaced.

A third party shop saying "refurbished" could mean anything.

 

[dan330]

from.. just repackaging it so it looks like a new box.. because someone returned it with no technical issues.

or there was a known recall.. fixed and repackaged.

fixed a simple issue and repackaged.

or just checked and sold with out repackaged... but with al parts.

it is a wide range... so you should be careful when considering this option.
for me I look at the savings.. it has to be enough of a discount for me to consider the risks.
10% discount is not enough for me to look at.
more than 25% before it becomes considerable.
at 50% it is hard to pass up.

 

[lvt]

Refurbished means that you don't need to care about the item's previous owner.

When it comes to electronic devices using rechargeable battery, the old battery is usually replaced with a new one.

But with the trend of using non replaceable battery on recent phones, I'm not sure if they replace the battery like before.

 

[Dngrsone]

I buy refurbs from Amazon, haven't had any issues yet, but like Dan says, I'm not going to pay 90% for a refurb with an extremely limited or non-existent warranty.

 

[The_Chief]

I have long bought refurbs of almost everything. No problems at all. Do NOT buy refurbished computer drives or flash memory! But just about everything else? No reason to pay full retail!

 

[tube517]

I buy only refurbs. I never buy new.

On Ebay or Amazon, I only buy from "Stores" with high ratings, not from individuals.

If I do buy from an individual, I use Swappa.

I have been doing this since 2011. None of my devices have been defective.

 

[Bg260]

This is great info. Thanks everyone. From what I've been looking into, RAM for one, I just don't know how that could be refurbished.
This all came about when I purchased a box of Misc. computer parts at a auction. There were several graphics cards included. Some decent ones, but the fans are full of dust (dead skin cells). I completely disassembled one and cleaned it with a toothbrush and tested all the ports.
I would like to build a reputation on E-Bay as a quality seller. Have I refurbished it? What value can I add with such a proclamation? I have moral issues and I want to do the right thing, as well as remaining in good standing on E-Bay.

 

[dan330]

to me personally... that does not = refurbished.
refurbished should be close to being new.
has some warranty.

this is used .. and reconditioned.
cleaned and lightly tested

 

[Bg260]

That's exactly what I went with. Priced with some comps. Hopefully mine will look better and sell faster.