Save Money on Reconditioned Items

You've got your eye on a pricey new Dyson vacuum cleaner, but the cost sends shock waves rippling through your budget. If you could snag that Dyson for a little more than half-price, would you go for it?

Sure you would. And if high-end vacuums aren't the only budget bombs on your list of wants, take heart and grab that debit card -- you can also purchase state-of-the-art televisions, MP3 players, computers, stand mixers and hundreds of other products at jaw-dropping discounts. What's the catch? Look for factory reconditioned or refurbished items, which offer deals at a fraction of retail value.

What's reconditioned or refurbished?
No matter what you call them, they're really the same thing. This merchandise -- we'll call it factory reconditioned to avoid confusion -- can be nearly anything that's available to consumers, from sewing machines to electric shavers to car stereo systems.

Factory reconditioned products have been previously sold and returned. The reason for the return varies -- wrong color or model, not working, missing a part or the customer simply changed his or her mind. Open-box returns are also sold by some companies under the factory reconditioned umbrella. The name says it all: The original box has been opened and the item returned, many times without use or noted defects.

Almost all reconditioned items, such as computers, go back through the quality control process. The item's inspected the same as a brand-new one, then reboxed and resold. But lest you worry unscrupulous manufacturers sell reconditioned merchandise as new, that's a legal no-no. Buy from a well-known manufacturer and you can score big on savings, while remaining confident that what you're getting is first-rate.

Jonni McCoy, author of the book "Miserly Moms" and founder of miserlymoms.com, says that worries about the economy are leading many to look for savings in new places. "More people than before are interested in learning frugal techniques," McCoy says.

Take that reconditioned Dyson vacuum, for example. It sold new at Target for $599 plus tax. The cheapest sale price we could find for that model was $479 -- a one-time offer on Amazon. One consumer bought the vacuum as a factory reconditioned item from Amazon.com for $299, with no sales tax and free shipping. That's a 50 percent discount from the everyday price.

Buyers pleased with purchases
Dyson isn't the only high-end vacuum cleaner maker that sells reconditioned models. James Savage, who runs a site that helps individuals sell their used cars, says he bought a reconditioned Oreck vacuum and air purifier two years ago and has been generally pleased with his experience.

"It looked new when I bought it, and still does," Savage says of the vacuum cleaner, adding that the only maintenance required so far has been belt replacement.

Although Savage says the purifier recently quit, he saved 50 percent by purchasing it reconditioned, and he says the machine ran nonstop 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"I think that is pretty good for a fan motor to run that long," says Savage.

San Antonio attorney Reba Kennedy says she successfully bought a washer and dryer set, a trash compactor and a desktop computer -- all reconditioned. Meanwhile Nevada-based spiritual life coach Stephanie Bell recently sprang for a reconditioned Wolfgang Puck Stick Blender/Food Processor, which she purchased from Overstock.com, and a TiVo box directly from the manufacturer.

Next: "I have saved just over $25,000 by not buying new." >

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