Refurbished Printers: Good Deal or Headache?

Types of "Refurbished" Printers

Not all refurbished printers are created equal.

1. Manufacturer Certified Refurbished

What it is: Printer was returned, inspected, repaired if needed, cleaned, and repackaged by the manufacturer (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother).

Condition: Usually like new or very close. Any defective parts are replaced with genuine parts.

Warranty: Typically 90 days to 1 year from the manufacturer.

Where to buy: Manufacturer's website, authorized resellers.

Worth it? YES. This is the safest way to buy refurbished. You get a near-new printer with warranty protection at 20-40% off.

2. Third-Party Refurbished

What it is: Random company bought used printers, cleaned them up, and resells them.

Condition: Varies wildly. Could be great, could be junk.

Warranty: Usually 30-90 days from the seller, not the manufacturer.

Where to buy: Amazon, eBay, small online retailers.

Worth it? RISKY. Quality is inconsistent. Only buy if there's a good return policy and you're willing to gamble.

3. "Used - Like New" / Open Box

What it is: Someone bought it, opened it, maybe used it once, returned it. Retailer can't sell it as new.

Condition: Often perfect, sometimes has minor cosmetic damage.

Warranty: Sometimes full manufacturer warranty if it was just returned quickly.

Where to buy: Amazon Warehouse, Best Buy Open Box, retailer clearance.

Worth it? USUALLY YES. Great deals if there's a good return policy. Just inspect it carefully when it arrives.

4. "As-Is" / No Warranty Used

What it is: Someone's old printer they're selling.

Condition: Who knows. Could work great or die tomorrow.

Warranty: None. You're on your own.

Where to buy: Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, eBay.

Worth it? ONLY IF IT'S FREE OR VERY CHEAP. Don't pay more than $20-30 for a used printer with no warranty.

When Refurbished Makes Sense

1. High-End or Business Printers

Expensive printers ($500-2,000) make great refurb candidates. Saving $200-400 on a manufacturer-certified refurb is significant, and these printers are built to last.

Examples:

• HP LaserJet Enterprise models
• Canon imageCLASS business printers
• Epson WorkForce Pro series
• Brother business all-in-ones

2. You Need a Specific Feature

If you need a specific feature (like large-format printing, high-speed color laser, or professional photo printing) and new models are too expensive, certified refurb can get you there.

3. Backup or Secondary Printer

If you need a spare printer for occasional use, a cheap refurb or used printer is fine. If it breaks, no big deal.

4. Temporary Solution

If you need something right now but plan to upgrade later, a refurb can bridge the gap cheaply.

When to Skip Refurbished

1. Budget Home Printers

A refurbished $80 printer selling for $60 isn't worth it. You save $20 but give up warranty and peace of mind. Just buy new.

2. Older Models (3+ Years Old)

Technology moves fast. A printer from 2021 is missing modern features:

• No ink tank options
• Worse wireless connectivity
• Higher ink costs per page
• May not support latest operating systems

Older refurbs are often a false economy.

3. No Warranty or Sketchy Seller

If there's no warranty and you can't return it easily, walk away. Printers are too unreliable to buy as-is.

4. Discontinued Models

If the model has been discontinued and ink/toner is hard to find or expensive, you're buying a problem.

What to Check Before Buying

Before You Buy:

1. Check warranty details. How long? Who honors it?
2. Check return policy. Can you return it if it doesn't work? How long?
3. Look up the model. Is it discontinued? Can you still get ink/toner?
4. Check reviews of the seller. Are they reputable?
5. Calculate savings. Is it worth the risk?

When It Arrives:

1. Inspect for damage. Cosmetic damage is fine, but broken parts are not.
2. Print a test page immediately. Make sure it actually works.
3. Check all functions. Print, scan, copy, wireless - test everything.
4. Look at the page counter. How many pages has it printed? High counts mean more wear.
5. Check for error messages. Any warnings or errors?

If anything is wrong, return it within the return window.

Red Flags to Avoid

• "Refurbished" with no details - Who refurbished it? What did they do?
• No warranty at all - Always risky with electronics
• Seller with bad reviews - Check ratings carefully
• Price is too good to be true - If a $400 printer is $100 refurb, why?
• Seller won't accept returns - You need an out if it doesn't work
• Very high page count - Over 50,000 pages means it's near end of life

Where to Buy Refurbished Safely

Best Options:

1. Manufacturer websites - HP, Canon, Epson, Brother all sell certified refurbs
2. Amazon Renewed - Good return policy, some protection
3. Best Buy Open Box - Inspect in person, easy returns
4. Newegg - Good return policy, clear refurb standards

Risky Options:

• eBay (unless manufacturer certified)
• Unknown third-party refurbishers
• Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace (only if free/very cheap)

The Honest Math

Example 1: Budget Inkjet

• New: $79
• Refurbished: $59
• Savings: $20
• Verdict: Not worth the risk. Buy new.

Example 2: Business Laser

• New: $499
• Manufacturer Certified Refurb: $299
• Savings: $200
• Warranty: 90 days
• Verdict: Great deal if you trust the seller.

Example 3: Used Craigslist

• New: $150
• Used, no warranty: $40
• Savings: $110
• Risk: High (might break immediately)
• Verdict: Only if you're okay with it potentially not working.

The Bottom Line

Manufacturer-certified refurbs on expensive printers: Usually a good deal.

Third-party refurbs on cheap printers: Usually not worth the risk.

Used printers from randos: Only if free or under $30.

The key is warranty and return policy. Without those protections, you're gambling.