Hi, I’m a Mac.

Those of you who know me and my love of digital items also know that I love REFURBISHED items. At stores such as the Apple Online Store, you get the same 1 year warranty and usually about $200-$400 off items. Refurbished items go through a strict inspection process as detailed by Apple below:

Each Apple Certified Refurbished Product:

• is fully tested (including full burn-in testing).
• is refurbished with replacement parts for any defective modules identified in testing.
• is put through a thorough cleaning process and inspection.
• is repackaged (including appropriate manuals, cables, new boxes, etc.).
• includes the operating software originally shipped with the unit and the custom software offered with that system. See each products “Learn More” for more details.
• is given a new refurbished part number and serial number.
• is placed into a Final QA inspection prior to being added to sellable refurbished stock.

Refurbishment procedures follow the same basic technical guidelines as Apple’s Finished Goods testing procedures.

(2) What should I expect when I purchase an Apple Certified Refurbished Product?

• Substantial savings
• A fully functional unit with complete documentation
• The assurance that the unit meets Apple’s premiere quality standards, and that its defective components have been replaced by genuine Apple components

I was able to purchase my Macbook Pro about a year ago, for over $500 off, which was pretty amazing. They usually have refurbished items regularly, but a good time to look is usually right after they have launched a new line of products or a few months afterwards, depending on what you want. If you think you want one of the newest macs, give it a few months and refurbished items will soon pop up. If you want a good deal on a mac from the previous generation, you’ll usually find them discounted right before the launch and even afterwards until they run out.

All of my Macs have been bought refurbished. I have a Macbook, which my brother is using at the moment and a Macbook Pro that I bought last year. I’ve also bought quite a few ipods refurbished; a few for presents and a few for myself, and they’ve all worked great, and you can get quite a hefty discount at usually $50 off ..which is about 25% off the original price.

Hi, I’m a PC.

For PC users, Dell has an Outlet shop online where you can get refurbished items. I have a tiny 9″ Dell Mini 9 which I bought for about $270 that I will often take on business trips instead of my 15″ Macbook Pro since it weighs next to nothing, but still has great wireless functionality, let’s me surf the internet, type emails, and has a webcam and a good mic/speakers that allow me to dial into conference calls through Skype. Like Apple, their refurb items also come with the same warranty as new items.

DIGITAL CAMERAS

If you’re looking for a digital camera, refurb is also the way to go in my opinion. Of course, you have to pick the right refurbished retailer. I’ve bought two Canon cameras from refurbdepot.com and have been very satisfied. My refurbished items came in the same retail box, and have been fully functional and work flawlessly. You can end up saving close to 50% on them.

I’ve got a few more money saving tips for tech-y items up my sleeve, but I’m going to save them for a later post.

I’ll leave you with this though….

When buying through a major company such as Apple or Dell, check eBay and see if you can score a gift card for less than the gift card is worth. For example, when I bought my Dell Mini, I found a $100 Dell gift certificate on eBay for $70, which saved me $30! Usually people can email gift card codes so you can also get it right away without needing the physical card. Be careful though and make sure that the person you’re buying from has had good reviews for similar products. If you pay by Paypal though, they usually cover you when it comes to seller fraud so you can breathe a little easier.