Buying new electronics and appliances can be expensive. If you’re open to second-hand, Amazon Renewed is an option to consider. It sells pre-owned electronics, appliances and more at second-hand prices, with none of the risk of a backyard garage sale.
What makes Amazon Renewed an enticing choice for shoppers is that its products are professionally tested and refurbished. They must also pass a series of quality checks before they’re sold on Amazon, so you know you’re not buying a dud. But are the savings really worth it, or are you better off shopping brand new?
We looked at three Amazon Renewed products and compared them to the same products sold brand new at competitor retailers to see how much you could save.
Amazon Renewed | iphone 15 128GB – $821
Harvey Norman | iphone 15 128GB – $1,097
Price difference – $276
Amazon Renewed | Nintendo Switch OLED Model 64GB – $449
JB HI FI | Nintendo Switch OLED Model 64GB – $539
Price difference – $90
Amazon Renewed | Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC 13 – $1,409
Officeworks | Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC 13 – $1,697
Price difference – $288
The products on Amazon Renewed are sold by either the manufacturer or a specialised third-party refurbisher, and could come from a number of potential sources, such as:
For repaired products, all components must be Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. However, accessories that come with the product, like charging cables, may be generic.
Before they can be sold, Amazon Renewed products are tested, cleaned, repaired if necessary and repackaged. All items must meet a strict criteria to be listed on the Amazon store, which will vary between product types. Here are some of the product quality requirements that may apply:
Separate to the product quality standards, Amazon categorises its refurbished products into cosmetic grades based on their appearance. While the standards vary between product types, here are the three grades and what they typically look like:
When you buy an Amazon Renewed product, you’ll be given a 12-month warranty as a minimum, which is separate to the rights you hold under Australian Consumer Law. This means you will receive a replacement product or refund for any defective product within 12 months of your purchase.
To apply for a refund or replacement for an Amazon Renewed product, simply navigate to the ‘Your Orders’ page, click the ‘Problem with your order’ button, and then request a refund or replacement.
This article was reviewed by our Consumer Editor Meagan Lawrence before it was updated, as part of our fact-checking process.
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