You can buy electronics on Amazon with discounts of up to 80% – but there’s a catch
The goods are fully inspected and tested to make sure they are in full working order, and each item is sold with a one-year warranty
THERE'S a simple way you can buy electronics at a 80 per cent discount on Amazon - but there's a catch.
, meaning they have previously been returned by another buyer.
This could be because they no longer wanted the item, it had damaged packaging or the gadget had a technical problem.
But the goods are fully inspected and tested to make sure they are in full working order, and each item is sold with a one-year warranty - so if there are any issues you can return the item and get a full refund within the first 12 months.
It means that shoppers can save potentially hundreds of pounds on top gadgets, including tablets, cameras, mobile phones and TVs, across brands such as Apple, HP and Samsung.
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For example, you can pick up a 16GB silver Apple iPhone 5S for £149, while the same phone from Carphone Warehouse will cost £269 - a difference of £120, or 80 per cent more.
The phones are identical apart from the fact that one has been returned so isn't technically brand new, but products listed by Amazon as "certified refurbished" have been inspected and graded to "Like New" condition.
The refurbishment process usually includes a diagnostic test, replacement of any defective parts, cleaning and an inspection process, and repackaging by the seller.
Amazon says the products are as good as new, with no visible cosmetic imperfections when held 12 inches away.
The products may be packaged in a generic box and come with accessories as expected for a new product, with any exceptions mentioned on the product page.
Shoppers looking for a cut-price coffee machine can pick up a refurbished black DeLonghi ECP31.21 espresso coffee maker from Amazon for just under £78, while a brand new version from Argos costs almost double the price, at £140.
The savings that can be made by buying a refurbished gadget can be huge, but it doesn't always save to buy second-hand, so it pays to do your research.
Take this LG 43LH5100 43 inch LED TV from Amazon, which has been refurbished and costs just under £280.
The same TV from Tesco costs exactly the same, and Tesco's version is brand new.
Amazon isn't the only retailer to flog refurbished goods at a discount.
, offering reductions on iPhones, iPods, iPads and Macbooks, with all products coming with a one-year warranty.
And Overstock.com has a dedicated channel offering refurbished electronics, including on computers, computer software and TVs.
For example, for £221, while a costs £299 - a difference of £78, or 35 per cent more.
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