3 On Your Side: Refurbished And Refreshed Products
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Have you been to any electronics stores this holiday season? Chances are that you've seen at least a few items that are marked refurbished or refreshed. But what exactly does that mean?
These flat screen TV's are exactly alike --except for one thing -- the one on the left costs $20 less. So why the difference in price? The cheaper set was refreshed, meaning it was repackaged and put back on the stores shelf after being used, slightly.
Sometimes, not even used - just opened, examined items are brought back. Lance Ulanoff with PC Magazine says these days used doesn't necessarily mean abused. He says, "Returned, refurbished, remanufactured, open boxed, all kind of relate to the same thing, they've been owned for a short time. Just about every large retailer and manufacturer now sells refreshed or refurbished products that may have some damaged packaging--or have been used as floor models--but function the same as their brand new counterparts. Savings can be really significant, anywhere from $20 to hundreds of dollars depending on what you get."
Bryan Ledgister of Best Buy says, "It's checked out by a squad agent, its functional, has no scratches or dents, we put it back." Best Buy has what they call an open box program. A product that has been opened for any reason--or discontinued by the manufacturer- is sold for at least 10% less.
But Ulanoff says--if you shop with a reputable retailer--there's no risk involved. According to Ulanoff, "you actually get the same coverage that you would get with the new product." By the way, it isn't just refreshed or refurbished TVs that are sold at a discount. Movies, phones, CDs, digital cameras, printers, can also be found with discount pricing too.
Reported By Jim Donovan, CBS 3.
