I don't know why other companies don't do this, but Target has just become the first major retailer to offer "refurbished" electronics. Instead of just sending the (mostly perfectly good) electronics to be recycled, Target is fixing them up, and then selling them at reduced rates.

From my perspective, the hope is that electronics will become more like cars, having multiple owners throughout their lifespan and staying in use for up to 10 years (instead of the more normal [and dismal] three). It's just a test program, but Target's website is offering a variety of refurbished electronics, including iPods, camcorders, and a ton of flat screen televisions.

The site says that all refurbished items are "essentially as good as new" and that they've all be certified and guaranteed to be so.

Unfortunately, you won't find any refurbished items at brick and mortar stores, but quality pre-owned items at a big retailer like Target is definitely a good start.

Via TreeHugger and Reuters

Comments (13)

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On Target - recycling
written by weee , November 28, 2007

I hope the test program works from their perspective and they roll it out as a permanent deal.
It's madness that electronics that can be useful for 10 years is thrown in landfill after 3.

@ brick and mortar stores
written by dave , November 28, 2007

some of these are showing up the North Carolina Target stores.

President
written by JohnnyGreen , November 28, 2007

Besides Target, companies like Apple, Bose, HP and on-line retailers like Tiger Direct offer refurbished/ re-certified electronics as well. Many if not most of these products are brand new, returned to stores due to buyers remorse.

Its a step forward
written by Eze , November 28, 2007

I wouldn't be surprised if target starts making some decent money with this. Like ^^johnnygreen said^^ most of the items get returned with little use, or even still in the box. And who knows how much they make on the turn around for the second sale.

great idea
written by Marisa , November 28, 2007

This is a brilliant move on Target's part. I know that plenty of other companies offer refurb services/products, but that such a big retailer like Target is starting this is a wonderful idea. I hope it takes off, because as has been mentioned, it's really good to try to get the 10 years out of a product rather than a lousy 3.

Good thing, but what's up with the title
written by Daniel , November 28, 2007

I think this is a great move on Target's part, and I'll probably peruse their offerings when in the market for some additional electronics. But, what's up with the title of the article here? Target is reselling used electronics. The title would have you believe that Target is selling items that have been used multiple times, and I don't think that's the case at all. I could be mistaken, but, just wanted to offer my comment.

Reduce, RE-USE, Recycle
written by Marla , November 29, 2007

Daniel, I think the title of the article is incorporating the well known waste management phrase: reduce, RE-USE, recycle. Though I agree, it does sound misleading as to just how used the refurbished electronics are. Perhaps a better title would be "Target facilitates re-use of electronics"

Nothing New
written by mydogholly , November 29, 2007

This appears to be nothing new. Almost every store does this when people return electronics. If the box has been opened the store must either return the item to the manufacturer for "certification" or just sell the item as "like new" with a slight discount. That is the reason Best Buy and others charge a restocking fee for opened electronics.

Yes, the three Rs
written by zupakomputer , November 29, 2007

Small businesses of course always fixed-up electronic and electrical items, whether they'd originally sold them or not. They still do - but the manufacturers tend to be the problem, as anyone who's ever taken various items for repair can no doubt attest to. They don't provide spare parts, and expect the product buyer to just buy a whole new item instead.

It's the same for the larger retail stores - the products they sell don't tend to be supported for repairs.

The other problem being - the type of person that actually throws such things as electronics into bins (or can't even manage to properly use a bin and just dumps them any old place)..

This is a good thing
written by Butch , December 01, 2007

And can be made even better with the offering of factory warranties on these items. I don't know what people are doing replacing their electronics after only 3 years, but my newest gadgets are a year old.

What a great idea
written by Target coupon , January 10, 2008

My experience with refurbished electronics, is that it's just as good... at least I've had positive experiences at Dell with their refurbished items. It's a great idea and definitely other retailers should follow suit. Perhaps the reason that major retailers don't sell refurbished stuff is that they may sell it to other internet retailers such as geeks.com that sell refurbished items as their main business.

Great thing!
written by Ada , March 19, 2008

Hooray!! a national chain taking point on this!! I'm in the market for a new TV and I'm going to check their site. I was looking before finding this site for appliance parts to repair my old one. Dell does this with refurbished computers and Fry's Electronic does also. It's about time that we take this step. I mean, how may of us go to the thrift store and then show off the great jacket or dress we got at a great bargain? It should be the same with electronics; especially i-pods, which don't have a user-replaceable battery.appliance parts

how do you do this?
written by jonathan , March 27, 2008

how is target doing this? Are they buting these from anyone and fixing them up and selling them? or are they getting them for free? like goodwill.

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