If you've been looking around for another printer and are thinking of getting a refurbished machine, keep your eyes out for two very important things. Good refurbished printers can be tricky to find because the old ink from when the last owner used it can tie up the inside of the printer, and you must be sure you're getting something that's clean. Good refurbished printers do exist, and they generally have a manufacturer's certification and an extended warranty. If you don't see those two, keep looking.
Low Cost but High Risk
Buying refurbished items can save you a lot of money, especially on computer equipment and peripherals that can easily run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars when new. But refurbished items can also be very questionable because you never really know what happened to them before or if the people who refurbished them knew what they were doing. Manufacturers have tried to solve this dilemma by offering machines that the manufacturers themselves refurbished. The manufacturers distinguish their refurbished items by issuing a certification or calling the item certified.
Risk Mitigation
Manufacturers know that if the refurbished items they sell do not work, that could adversely affect their (the manufacturers) reputations. So they are committed to making the items work like new and not give customers any trouble. If you get a refurbished printer that's been fixed up and certified by the manufacturer, chances are that you're getting a really good printer that works quite well.
But that's not all you need. Refurbished items, depending on the reason why they were refurbished, can hold unexpected problems that no one can find until something goes wrong. This is where the extended warranty comes in. A company that certifies a printer as being refurbished and working well should have no fears about the printer breaking down -- so if the company offers an extended warranty, that shows that the company is basically sure that the printer won't give you any trouble.
When you look for a refurbished printer, be it from a main manufacturer or a third-party seller, be sure the printer is certified by the manufacturer and that it has an optional extended warranty. Whether or not you actually buy the warranty depends on the value you think you will get out of it given the warranty's price and length.
If you want more information on manufacturer-certified refurbished printers and the extended warranty options on offer, contact printer companies (such as Midwest Laser Specialists Inc) in your area to see what they have. Test the printers if you can, and check out the paperwork for the warranty to see the actual details.
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