A Practical Guide to Selling Refurbished Products
Selling used, refurbished or open-box products alongside or instead of new ones.
Marcus Adeyemi
At a glance
- Condition grading consistent grades set expectations
- Disclosure used and refurbished status must be clear
- Warranty refurbished goods may carry different warranty terms
- Data returned devices must be wiped before resale
Why it matters
Why it matters: Condition claims must be accurate and consistent, and warranty expectations differ from new goods.
Best practice
- Publish a clear condition grading scale
- Photograph the actual item where grades vary
- State warranty terms for refurbished goods
- Wipe data from returned devices
- Track defect rates by grade
Common pitfalls
Watch out for:
- Vague terms such as like new with no definition
- Stock photos for graded used items
- Refurbished status buried in descriptions
- Devices resold with previous owner data
When to call in a specialist
Bottom line Bring in help when launching a refurbished range.
Where this comes from
- Federal Trade Commission — Advertising FAQs: A guide for small business
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Media sanitization
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
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