Save Money: Buy Refurbished

For many of us, the idea of buying a used product means getting something that looks banged-up, may not work properly, and will not last long. However, something buying a used printer is a smart idea -- as long as it's refurbished.

Refurbished printers, scanners, and all-in-ones -- also known as refurbs -- are machines that have been either returned by a purchaser because of a problem, or that was leased and then traded in. Since the devices can no longer be sold as new, they are inspected, fixed, repackaged, and then sold as refurbs for considerable discounts.

There are advantages and disadvantages to buying a refurb. The disadvantage is that you are not getting a brand new product -- there may be a couple of nicks or scratches on the body of the printer, for example. In addition, while you do get a manufacturer's warranty with the product, it is often less than the warranty you'd get with a new product -- for example, you may only have two weeks rather than a month to return it, and the parts/labor warranty may be for 90 days rather than a full year.

On the other hand, buying a refurbished printer can save you a bit of money, which can be important if you're on a budget, or if you need to buy several printers for a small business. For example, the HP LaserJet 3015 All-In-One Printer is, as of this writing, available for prices starting at $235 -- new. If you're willing to buy it refurbished, you can find it for $155, an $80 savings. The Samsung CLP-500 color laser printer can be found for $599 new -- or $238 refurbished.

And if you're buying the refurbished machine directly from the manufacturer, or from a vendor whom you trust, then you get a solid working printer that is as reliable as its newer versions. (While I've never actually purchased a refurbished printer, this article is being written using a refurbished PC which I bought two years ago for a very large discount and which is still purring away without any problems.)

So, if you want to save some money, and don't care about getting an absolutely scratch-free device, check out refurbished models. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Do the same research you would for a new printer. Look for reviews, check out the specs.

2. Read the small print carefully. Make sure you understand all the terms of the warranty. Make sure there is at least a one or two week window in which you can return the product without penalty.

3. The best place to buy a refurbished printer or scanner is directly from the manufacturer. If you buy it from a third-party store or online vendor, make sure that it was refurbished by the manufacturer, and that it comes with a manufacturer's warranty.

4. Inspect the printer/scanner/all-in-one as soon as you get it home. Note any dings or scratches. Give it a thorough try out -- install it, print out some documents, print in color and mono, print from several different applications. If there are any problems, call the manufacturer immediately.