Columbus Financial Coach's ways to save big with open boxes, refurbished, dent & scratched

Are you paying the premium to have a brand-new box and 5 seconds after you open it drops 20% what is the logic in that? Just because you want to feel all warm and fuzzy you are the first person that used the item. If you are open-minded enough to think that you can be saving the same major bucks buying an open box, refurbished, dent & scratched items.

Some great deals buy refurbished computers and electronics. What are open boxes, refurbished, dent & scratched anyway? An open box means that someone returned it to the store. refurbished means it could have been an open box, they tend to be items that have been returned for warranty and repaired, or off lease from a company. They are cleaned, and fully tested, and if they have an issue are repaired. Well, now dented & scratched items tend to be appliances like ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers & dryers, and even stuff like hot water tanks. So, does it really matter if there is a small scratch or dent on the side of your new washer and dryer that you going to place in the basement or hide in a closet? Why do you need to pay extra for something that no one will see or even care about? I refused to pay the full price for a new washer and dryer. So, I was able to find a local refurbished dealer that sold me a top-of-the-line washer and dryer for $300 with a 6-month warranty. 

If you buy a refurbished laptop, I will buy the 2-year warranty. That way you can keep replacing it. The only thing you're paying for it the new warranty each time you get a buyout. Laptop life is about 3-5 years, and if the notebook was used for about 2-3 years the life spent of a laptop will not last the whole 2 years in most cases. This way you keep getting a new laptop every 1.5 years. I know from experience that refurbished laptops have lasted less than 2 years. I had very good luck with new and refurbished desktops lasting about 7 years (that is also about the time you want to toss it out of the window because it becomes way too slow! That is even if they are working fine).

The same goes for tablets, TV, and electronic appliances, there is nothing wrong with these used units as long as it is cost-effective to buy the extra protection plan. Most refurbished units only have a 90-day warranty which is way too short, in my opinion. You can also buy the low-cost electronic item and buy a protection plan for it, that way if it dies after the warranty, you get a new model. I was at Best Buy and the representative never thought about that angle before.

If you like this article check out my website on more ways to save! 
http://www.columbusfinancialcoach.com/Cheap-City-Free-Guide.html

By Derek P. Bliedung

Columbus Financial & Sucess Coach

www.columbusfinancialcoach.com