Foo - Low Down on Refurbished Electronics

I really want to get a canon powershot, either sd1400 or sd1300 or sd780..

They are all in the 200 dollar range, but I can find them all factory refurbished for closer to a hundred which is more what I want to spend.

I'm just wondering in comparison to a brand new product what is the comparison? Is it virtually brand new with only the small cosmetic defects? Anyone have experience with buying a refurbished camera and it not working close to after buying it?

Maybe even no defects - just a prior opened package, and returned. Factory refurb is usually as good as brand spankin new.

Haven't bought a refurbished camera, but have a few refurbished GPS units. Mine showed no sign of ever having been used and worked fine.

I bought a refurb Sony stereo in '01 that has only recently started acting funny, and a refurb Apple G4 PB in 2005 that only had to go in for service once (display), it's been flawless otherwise, and it's still chugging along. So I guess I've had pretty good experiences with refurbished stuff.

Pretty much everything I own is refurbished, used or donated. Even my Hyundai's "new" shiny axle... Typing this message on a refurbished Dell Dimension computer that has been up 24/7 for 5 years with 99.9% availability, I fully support refurbisation. :thumb:

I fully support refurbisation.

And I fully support the increased usage of the word 'refurbisation'! :thumb:

I'm a fan of re-furbished electronics but my wife isn't. If I'm buying for me, it's re-furbished...if it's for my wife, it's new and usually with an extended warranty.

Maybe even no defects - just a prior opened package, and returned. Factory refurb is usually as good as brand spankin new.

It depends on the company and sometimes on the retailer. Refurbs often don't have the same warranty, and sometimes they may have minor defects (scratches, etc from prior use) or not include all parts.

Still, they're usually a pretty good deal.

Even if they have only a very limited warranty, it should still cover dead on arrival, etc.

I can't speak to the accuracy of this, but some time ago I read that refurbished items are generally all tested before packaging. If that's true, you may have less of a chance of getting a DOA. It's probably inconsequential though.

I can't speak to the accuracy of this, but some time ago I read that refurbished items are generally all tested before packaging. If that's true, you may have less of a chance of getting a DOA. It's probably inconsequential though.

Again, it's going to depend on the company, but any truly reputable company will do this.

Fry's is an example of a retailer with a good return policy but mediocre performance in that regards. It goes full circle because you can return the refurbished or restocked item if it's defective, but it's annoying when you have to go back to the store.