2. misc-audio
  3. 1037033279

"Refurbished"?

I guess we all know what a "new" component is, what a "demo" component is and what a "used" component is. We can quibble on the "box opened just for inspection" representation as somewhat fudging the concept of "new" and feel much better thinking that an unopened box really means it certifies the product within as really, really "new". My question then is : what is actually a "refurbished" product? Is it the same as a "B" product? Is there anything actually done to the unit to qualify it as "refurbished" aside from taking off the fingerprints and packing it neatly in the original shipping materials? Does a component returned by a consumer for some malfunction that is then repaired qualify as "refurbished". Is "refurbished" a cleaned up demo sent back to the manufacturer when a line or specific product in a line is passed over by the buying public or being replaced by a manufacturer to be liquidated by a central agent?. In short, are we, yet again, dealing with fuzzy definitions? Oh BTW what would the range of % discount be on demo units and refurbished units, if one accepts all the problems with generalizations?
pbb
gregm
3,405 posts
 
As above, OR: b) a used product, sent back to manufacturer for full "service" (cleaning, drying, ironing, checking out etc), so any failing parts are replaced, sometimes a component upgrade or two are included -- and the unit is expected to be... functionally, good as new.
Example: my "refurbished" speakers came with two remotes (for the active x/over), drivers had been checked, cables in three different lengths, etc. And they were polished.
I still had to mod them, but that's my story.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Avideo mentions one scenario. There are also B stock units that are new and have never been returned/repaired, etc. This other kind are new models that are either overstocks or discontinued models. All they do is reduce the warranty, which saves them money on possible repairs. They can then cut the price without cutting so much into their profits. Unfortunitely, unless you know an insider, you won't be able to know what kind of B stock they are.
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
But, beware of "open-box" items. I had an old Philips CD burner/player that I was using to burn only. It was in need of cleaning under the service agreement from Good Guys. They lost my unit in transit and said they would replace it with a newer model. The newer model SUCKED and when I took it in for a refund I saw my old unit (which had subsequently been "found") on the shelf marked "open-box" item. It was nearly two years old at the time. Know this may not relate to higher-end gear but, all the same, be sure to ask many questions and get answers to your satisfaction before buying.
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
My understanding is that a refurbished unit is one that had a defect, was sent back to the factory to restore it in working order and then returned to the dealer. On the other hand, I always thought B stock was a product that had a blemish or something similar that didn't affect the performance, but couldn't sold on the showroom floor. Or perhaps was damaged in shipping, but works alright. I would be afraid of buying B stock, but not afraid of buying a refurbished unit.
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