Refurbished TVs are quickly becoming a trend because it allows people with a limited budget to get their hands on sweet deals. But the question is: what are the things you need to know when buying a refurbished TV? Or better yet, should you even consider buying one?
Buying a refurbished TV is OK, as long as you’re getting it from a reliable, reputable seller. It allows you to have the best TV you can buy for a much lower price. However, there’s a catch; refurbished TVs are defective, but instead of trashing, manufacturers repair them, then sell for a discount.
We’ll cover everything that you need to know about refurbished TVs, including tips on how you can get great deals. Once you’re through with this article, you’ll never look at refurbished TVs the same way.
What Is a Refurbished TV?
Have you ever experienced buying something from a retailer, then found out, on day one, that it’s defective? Of course, the first thing you’d do is send it back for a replacement or refund. However, this faulty TV still works fine, except for the one problem you saw. So, instead of trashing it, the manufacturers repair the issue and then send it back to retailers to sell at a much lower price.
It’s not the brand new TV that you’d get from a retailer at its SRP, but it’s still the same TV nonetheless. So, if you decide to buy a refurbished TV, you’re saying that you’re willing to take the risk of using a repaired, almost new TV, in exchange for a steep discount. However, many people think it’s an insignificant, almost negligible risk because refurbished TVs go through a stricter testing procedure.
The reason why the first owner sent it back to them is because of an issue. They repaired it to sell cheaper, but manufacturers want to make sure that the next buyer won’t send it again. It’s the reason why people who aren’t picky with the hardware they’re getting prefer refurbished TVs.
Why Do You Even Need a Refurbished TV?
TVs can cost a fortune, especially if you’re looking for top-of-the-line hardware that can take your home entertainment to the next level. Simply put, whatever budget you have for your home entertainment, you’ll find one for sale. You can get a nice 4K TV, but if that’s not enough to keep you entertained, you can take it to the next level with 8K TV.
Unfortunately, we mortals only have two options: settle for a lesser TV or get a refurbished one. Many people are trying to have the best home entertainment setup they can have without spending as much as they should. If you know that you can get the same TV, one that went through stricter testing procedures, at a much lower price, will you still opt for the brand new and pay for its full price?
Are Refurbished TVs Worth Buying?
Since refurbished TVs aren’t new, and there’s always a risk in buying them, many people wonder if it’s even worth buying. After all, buying a brand new TV gives you all the perks, and you’re sure that no one has opened it yet, right? Plus, brand new TVs don’t have underlying issues, and even if they do, it’s easy to send it back for a replacement.
That’s true, and it has valid points; nothing beats buying a brand new TV, as long as you can afford one. Remember, we’re talking about high-end 4K or 8K TVs. Buying these at their regular prices will cost a fortune because it has all the best and most remarkable features you’ll ever see. However, many people don’t realize that refurbished TVs are also brand new—or at least most parts.
Most refurbished TVs had a factory defect when the first owner opened it. So, most of them won’t even use it for a day; they’ll just put it back in the box, then send it back to the retailer. It’s still new when this TV gets back to the manufacturer, and they’ll fix the issue that the first owner saw.
After that, it’ll go through quality assurance to ensure there are no underlying issues before putting it back to the market for sale.
Refurbished TVs Come With Original Warranty
Some refurbished TVs also come with their original warranty. You can also opt for extended warranties in case you want better coverage for your hardware.
I have a friend who bought a refurbished 70″ Vizio 4K TV and opted for their extended warranty. 4 months after the purchase, the TV developed a black line dashing at the bottom part of the screen. The only way to fix it is to replace the panel, so he contacted Vizio for a replacement.
After the assessment, Vizio decided to give him a full refund, instead of repairing the unit. In the end, he got to keep the faulty TV because it was more expensive to have it sent back and repaired than to refund. So, what he ended up having is a defective 4K TV—that still works fine except for that black line—plus the money he paid for it.
Of course, not everyone gets a happy ending with their refurbished TVs. Some would go bad just after the warranty ends, which leaves you without a choice. Paying for the extended warranty is also not an option for many buyers, so there’s still a risk when buying refurbished TVs.
The failure rate you’d get from these products is comparable to what you’d get from brand new. Sure, it went through repairs and stricter testing procedures, but it doesn’t guarantee anything. The only way to minimize such risks is to familiarize yourself with some questions you need to ask before buying one.
Questions to Ask Before Buying a Refurbished TV
There’s no guarantee when buying a refurbished TV; the one that gets sent to you may be faulty or not. However, asking the right questions can help you get the best deal while minimizing the risks. Below are 4 things that you should always ask before paying for a TV:
Who Refurbished the TV?
There are three kinds of refurbished TVs that you can get: manufacturer certified, certified, and refurbished. All three aim to repair a defective unit to make it work as good as new. However, the processes that they take vary, affecting the quality of the TV you’re getting.
- Manufacturer Certified Refurbished is an item that was repaired and tested by the original manufacturer. It may or may not be in its original retail packaging, but you’re getting the original accessories that come with the purchase. It also includes a warranty that comes directly from the manufacturer.
- Certified Refurbished is an item that was repaired and tested by the seller. The manufacturer certifies these sellers, and their repairs intend to make the faulty unit work as good as new. It may or may not come with the original retail packaging, but you’re still getting the original accessories. The only difference is that the parts they used to repair the TV may or may not be OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).
- Refurbished is a faulty product repaired by a 3rd-party, and often comes in a range of conditions. It’s cheaper than the other two, but it’s where you’re taking risks. Most of these units only come with at least a 90-day warranty, while others don’t even come with any form of warranty.
What Kind of Warranty Are You Getting?
Warranty is the only form of protection you’re getting when buying a refurbished TV, so you have to be careful when looking for one. The minimum I’d recommend for a warranty is at least 90 days just to give you some time to test the product and see if there are other underlying issues.
Where Are You Buying the TV?
Getting a refurbished TV doesn’t mean that you have to cheap out on everything. It would be best if you can still get it from a reliable, reputable retailer because they can provide you with a better service. Although you’re getting these at a steep discount, you’re still paying for it, so make sure you’re getting the excellent service for your purchase.
Is the Original Product Getting Good Reviews?
Finally, you have to look at the reviews that the product gets from its buyers. Even if you’re buying a refurbished TV, you’re still getting the same product with the same features and possible issues. Being refurbished doesn’t change anything with the unit; if it’s an overall lousy model, getting it repaired won’t fix the problem.
Conclusion
Buying a refurbished TV is fun; imagine getting the TV of your dreams at a steep discount. There’s nothing wrong with buying one, as long as you know what you’re getting. If you aren’t picky with the hardware you’re getting, and it comes with the original warranty, it’s probably one of the best deals you can get.
Always ask the right questions before paying for a refurbished or used TV. Remember, trying to get a better deal doesn’t mean that you’ll settle for less when it comes to the perks you’re getting.
