In this scenario, the open box item might be a better deal because it comes with a full manufacturer warranty as opposed to the 90-day warranty given to refurbished products on TechForLess.

“Speaker returns have to be within 30 days to get full refund so they are likely barely used when they get back to manufacturers,” adds DellaSala.

Receivers
Refurbished A/V receivers are not as abundant online as speakers and TVs. However, I did find several open box items on WarehouseDeals.com.

CE Pro product guru Robert Archer has some tips for anyone considering a refurbished or open box A/V receiver: 

Check out the receiver’s different processing modes; Dolby, DTS, etc.

Check inputs and outputs - With the wealth of sources out there (iPods, satellite radio, Blu-ray and cable/satellite TV), it’s important to have as many working inputs as possible.

Make sure the speakers you are using are working properly before playing the amp/receiver so it doesn’t taint the performance of the component.

“Finally look over the chassis of the unit, no one wants to buy a piece of electronics that was kicked for a 30 yard field goal from the back of a delivery truck,” says Archer.

Blu-ray Players
Refurbished Blu-ray players made by Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp and Sony can be found on RefurbDepot.

Here are some of the models with pricing:

• Samsung BD-P1500 - $159 ($249 retail)
• Panasonic DMP-BD35K - $199 - ($479 retail)
• Sharp BD-HP21U - $199 ($249 retail)
• Sony BDP-S500 - $309 (($459 retail)

All players come in factory sealed boxes with manuals and 90-day warranty.

Philips also sells refurbished blu-ray players on its eBay outlet store.

Laptops
“Buying a refurbished laptop will often give you better value for money compared to buying a new budget laptop,” says Jesper Berg of LaptopLogic.com.

New low-cost laptops are often fitted with low-end components such as a slow processor or too little RAM. You can get a premium refurbished laptop in relatively good condition and with high-end components for the same price or even less, adds Berg.

Here are some additional tips:

When buying from a manufacturer or reliable vendor, you should get a warranty that will cover nearly any hardware problem. Usually the warranty is valid for 6-12 months. Don’t settle for less than 6 months.

Avoid older refurbished laptops. Laptop components – particularly hard drives – do not last forever. Make sure the model you’re buying is relatively recent, preferably less than two years.

Conclusion
You’ll find countless products that are refurbished and sold: digital cameras, GPS units, iPods, MP3 players, and cell phones. Be sure to read up on product reviews. Just because an item is refurbished, doesn’t mean all its shortcomings have been eliminated.

One other tip, courtesy of Consumer Reports: Don’t rely on your credit card for extra protection because many specifically exclude refurbished products.

Additional resources:
Practical-Home-Theater-Guide.com
eBay: Reconditioned or Refurbished
Consumer Reports

Have experience with buying refurbished electronics? Let us know in the comments below.

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