One way to save a lot of money is to seek out refurbished tech items, electronics and electrical components when looking into making purchases. It is important to remember that there is a difference between buying a used product and one that is refurbished. Both can save you a lot of money however there are actually numerous differences that make refurbished better than used.
One of the first differences between used and refurbished items is the warranty. All components that have gone through the refurbishing process come with a limited warranty of some kind. When purchasing a used item however, it is rare for the item to be sold with any type of warranty. Used items are usually bought and sold as is.
When it comes to the physical condition between used and refurbished items there is also a huge difference. Refurbished items, especially electrical components, are supposed to look as close to the original as possible. When something is refurbished it has been taken apart, cleaned, parts replaced and put back together in like new condition whereas used items are sold as is and are potentially worn.
Vendors rarely sell used items. If you are purchasing an item from an OEM it is most often a true refurbished product. They will offer a full warranty on the item as if it was knew because essentially the process of refurbishing is making a like new product. Used items will often be sold through third party vendors who label them as refurbished. An item is unlikely to be a true refurbished product if being sold without a warranty or the description states the item is being sold as is.
When a product is refurbished or sold through an OEM is will come with customer service support. When you purchase a used item you are not guaranteed to have any support services. It is bought as is, buyer beware. There are more guarantees when it comes to purchasing components that are refurbished.
If you are looking for the best bang for your buck, especially when purchasing electrical components for manufacturing equipment or for your home then the way to go is refurbished. Another good thing about buying refurbished components is that you can usually find components for older machinery often even the most obsolete of machines. Where new components are no longer available and used components would be in like shape to what you are replacing, refurbishing gives you a like new way to keep your machines running properly.