The question has been thrown around many, many times. Are reconditioned/refurbished better than buying a brand new? In order to answer that question you first need to understand what a reconditioned tool is.
A reconditioned power tool is simply a product that was sent back to the manufacturer for one of the following reasons:
Lithium Ion Power Tools
1. Cosmetic Defect
2. Client returns tool to store due to a tool operating defect
3. Client returns tool to Manufacturer for warranty repair
Now there may be a few more reasons why an item is reconditioned but these will cover 95% of your tools.
Now that we have covered what a reconditioned tool is, we will talk about the benefits for you and I.
This is the best part! Faulty tools are sent back to the factory to be fully repaired with brand new parts and then sold back to the public at a discount.
How much of a discount you might ask...
To find this out I did some comparisons of a Ridgid 18 V Cordless drill Lithium-Ion.
Refurbished Tool Site Price: 129.99
Comes with Drill, Bag, Battery Charger and 2 BATTERIES!!!
Brand New Site Price: 199.99
Comes with Drill, Bag, Battery Charger and 1 Battery.
That's a 35% savings!!!
It gets even better. Both of these drills are completely covered by a full manufacture warranty.
So to answer the original question: Are reconditioned tools better than buying a brand new tool?
Can you answer anything but YES?
I have had many people come up to me and ask about simply having an old tool fixed rather than fully replaced. With my experience this ends up costing more in the end and here is why:
1. Repairing power tools is not cheap and takes several days or even weeks if the parts have to be ordered.
2. There are many moving parts with each tool. Soon you will be going back for weekly repairs for each part that wears out. This now becomes even more costly and is holding up jobs as well as your pay check.
3. You generally have to go to a specific repair shop for your brand of tool. Quality repair shops are not easy to come by and don't usually guarantee their work since the part is designed to wear out.
I hope this has answered all of your questions on the differences between Factory Reconditioned and brand new tools as well as given you some insight on why I choose to only buy reconditioned tools.