If you want the latest electronics but don't want to pay the current retail price, you can always check out your local dealer's list of refurbished products. Plasma TVs, for example, are not exactly known for being budget electronics but they can be had for as much as 70% less than their original price, provided you don't mind buying them refurbished. So what exactly makes refurbished plasma TVs a good buy and what makes them risky? What does 'refurbished' mean? Refurbished plasma TVs refer to units that have been returned and replaced or restored by either the manufacturer or by a third party. A large percentage of these TVs are brand new and have only had a few problems which made them undesirable as first-time buys. Essentially, if you buy a refurbished plasma TV, you're buying something 'like new'. Types of refurbished electronics To properly identify refurbished plasma TVs from the more risky reconditioned units, here are some of the types of electronics that qualify as refurbished: Exterior and/or shipping damages Plasma TVs that have been shipped can sometimes be damaged. However, damages are usually minor and involve only the exterior of the product or the packaging itself. So if the plasma TV unit suffers from a few scratches, dents or packaging tears, most retailers will return them to the source †the manufacturer. The manufacturer then checks the product and replaces any of the exterior parts that have obvious damages. The TV is then repackaged and labeled as 'refurbished' but sold as a new unit. Overstock Overstock plasma TVs are simply models that have not been sold even after new models have come out. As a result, they are often labeled as overstock by the retailers who then sell them at discounted prices during clearance sales. Sometimes, they are considered refurbished plasma TVs with prices slashed at significant discounts. There simply is nothing wrong with the items because they're essentially brand new. They're merely being sold cheaper and labeled refurbished just to make way for new ones. Demo TVs Ever wondered what happens to all those plasma TVs being made to run several hours at the shop or trade shows for the customers to view and appreciate? They are considered as demo units, short for demonstration units. Some of these are sent back to the manufacturer who checks the TVs, makes the necessary repairs and then repackages them as refurbished plasma TVs. Production defects Sometimes, a defective part or component may be discovered on a batch of plasma TVs. Should this happen, the manufacturer may issue a recall of the products, check the units and replace the parts. In some cases, they replace the defective parts, distribute the units to retailers who then sell them as refurbished plasma TVs. Customer return There are customers who buy plasma TVs and for some reason or another, decide to return the unit. This usually happens for a full refund within the limited period of the manufacturer's money-back guarantee. The manufacturer then checks and tests the TV to determine if there are any damages or malfunctioning parts. If there's nothing, they will simply resell the TV at a reduced price. This is when you get the unit at an 'open box' discount. So should you buy refurbished? As you can see, it's quite difficult to determine for sure why a plasma TV unit was considered refurbished. More often than not, the retailer or manufacturer won't tell you the real reason why. To find out if a refurbished plasma TV is a good buy, ask if the unit was refurbished by the manufacturer/factory or by a third party. Third party repackaging are significantly cheaper but may not offer the same warranty as the manufacturer. Ask about parts and labor warranty as well, along with the return policy. You might also want to know if the retailer offers an extended warranty policy. You really don't need to buy †it's simply an indication that the retailer is willing to stand by his product and that's usually a good assurance for you.
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