Amazon launches store selling cheaper, ‘like new’ tech products

Amazon has launched a store in the UK selling refurbished tech products at a huge discount, with some prices cut by 35 per cent.

The site is called Certified Refurbished store ( www. snipca.com/22322) and was already available in the US and Germany. It features items that have been re-made by other companies “to work and look like-new”. All products have a one-year warranty and are backed by Amazon’s normal Returns Policy ( www.snipca. com/22329).

Amazon addressed concerns about the quality of the items by claiming they have been “inspected and graded”. The company says they have “no visible cosmetic imperfections when held 12 inches away”.

It added: “The refurbishment process typically includes a full diagnostic test, replacement of any defective parts, a thorough cleaning and inspection process, and repackaging by the seller or vendor”. For more details click ‘Learn more’ on the store’s home page (see screenshot).

Your legal rights for refurbished goods vary little from brand-new products. The main difference is that the manufacturer may claim that they can reasonably be expected to work properly for a shorter time.

Products available include tablets, laptops, phones and ebook readers from leading manufacturers like Lenovo, Apple, Dell, HP and Samsung. In a 10-minute search we found some tempting deals, including an HP Elitebook laptop for £320 (down from £399: www.snipca.com/ 22330); and a Kindle Voyage ebook reader for £134 (was £169: www.snipca.com/22333).

However, prices for Apple’s ipads weren’t cheaper than we found on other sites selling refurbished items.