Refurbished E-reader Experience

ElWorm · 11-20-2014, 09:07 AM

I just ordered my dad a Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon. Money being tight for me right now I opted for a refurbished unit.
I have purchased refurbished electronics in the past and have, for the most part, been happy.

If you've purchased a refurbished e-reader, what has been your experience, good or bad?

booklover6 · 11-20-2014, 09:12 AM

Refurbished Kindles are generally like new. In fact, I've bought a lot of different refurbished electronics, and they have all been like new.

rcentros · 11-20-2014, 10:25 AM

The only refurbished eReader I've bought was a Sony PRS-T2. It was like new -- still basically is. I've bought a lot of refurbished electronic products -- I can't remember ever having a problem. (And refurbished products usually have a warranty -- sometimes (as in the case of the Sony T2) the exact same warranty as the new product. I think Amazon gives the same warranty for refurbished Kindles as they do for new also (I may be wrong on this) but I'm pretty sure they do.

cromag · 11-20-2014, 08:59 PM

I tend to buy refurbished when possible and have almost never had a bad experience. Like, maybe once every few years.

That being said, I haven't bought any refurbished ereaders. I have, however, bought two used ereaders -- a Kobo Wifi and a Nook Simple Touch. I got them both from Goodwill, and they both function perfectly. I've had the Nook for a month or two and don't use it much; I've had the Kobo since last summer and it got a moderate workout on a vacation.

EDIT: My bad! I got my JetBook Mini as a "refurb" -- but my impression was that the retailer hadn't done much more than an exterior cleaning, since I found an unsupported micro-SD card and adapter still in the SD card slot. I've had it more than a year and it's working fine.

JSWolf · 11-20-2014, 09:15 PM

As long as you get a full warranty, you'll be good to go.

Ripplinger · 11-20-2014, 09:26 PM

I just purchased one of the Paperwhite 2 refurbished units and it's immaculate, as if it was new... no defects at all, no screen scratches, perfectly even screen coloring. And it comes with a 1 year warranty.

Just be aware that if you let it update to the newest firmware, you can no longer add any hacks to it in case you're interested at all in that, such as the ability to add your own fonts to it. Check the Kindle forum for more info about it.

I've also purchased a few used readers, Kobo Glo and Sony 350. Only 1 was absolutely horrid where it looked like someone used the top of the reader as a tray for keys and other heavy metal items, there were actually a few gouges in the screen, as well as scratches all over it. The others were immaculate and are still in use.

JSWolf · 11-20-2014, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

I just purchased one of the Paperwhite 2 refurbished units and it's immaculate, as if it was new... no defects at all, no screen scratches, perfectly even screen coloring. And it comes with a 1 year warranty.

Just be aware that if you let it update to the newest firmware, you can no longer add any hacks to it in case you're interested at all in that, such as the ability to add your own fonts to it. Check the Kindle forum for more info about it.

But you won't know what firmware version is on a refurbished Kindle until you get it. So (IMHO), don't buy a refurbished Kindle with the expectation of being able to jailbreak it as you might not be able to. So if you can live with a Kindle with stock firmware, buy one, but if not, don't buy one.

Ripplinger · 11-20-2014, 10:29 PM

True, but there's a good chance it will ship with original firmware, just so the OP is aware to check into it before doing an upgrade if he's at all interested in hacking it at all. Once it's done, there's no going back to downgrade the firmware like on other readers.

eschwartz · 11-21-2014, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But you won't know what firmware version is on a refurbished Kindle until you get it. So (IMHO), don't buy a refurbished Kindle with the expectation of being able to jailbreak it as you might not be able to. So if you can live with a Kindle with stock firmware, buy one, but if not, don't buy one.

That argument applies equally to brand-new Kindles, what is your point?

If you are saying a generic "don't buy a KV/PW2/KT2 if you expect to jailbreak", OK and I agree.
But why pick on refurbished Kindles???

Jessica Lares · 11-21-2014, 04:22 AM

In a lot of cases, the only refurbished bits is the hardware inside.

I have recently started buying stuff refurbished. Haven't tried an eReader yet, but bought my iPod Touch refurbished to save $100 on the bigger storage option. They specifically tell you that the shell and screen are new, but the inside bits aren't.

Antoinekamel · 11-21-2014, 07:37 PM

A refurbished e-reader is like a horse without a bycicle, isn't it?

jehane · 11-22-2014, 08:42 AM

I bought a refurbished Sony T2 and it's as good as the brand new one. I was once told that refurbished units are quite often those that people buy to try out, then send back when they decide on a different device. Since I also recall advice given here to buy all of the different devices under consideration, then send back those that weren't chosen, this seems like a reasonable theory.

JuniperPearl · 11-22-2014, 06:26 PM

I got a refurbished unit when my Sony PRS-505 broke, and you couldn't even tell it was a refurbished unit. I never had any issues with it. I haven't had a refurbished Kindle, but I'd imagine they have standards on what is acceptable as a refurb unit and that you won't have any issues with it.

Tarana · 11-24-2014, 08:51 PM

I received a refurbished kindle keyboard as a replacement when my new unit went bad less than 90 days after purchase. It worked perfectly fine until a couple of weeks ago when the WiFi failed. Finally did a factory reset, turned off wifi, and it's been working fine ever since with only sideloaded content. Bought it in 2010. So, from my single experience, refurbished is fine.

RHWright · 11-25-2014, 09:56 AM

I took me a moment to remember, but yeah, my NST is a refurb.

Guess that speaks volumes for the quality of the refurb, when I barely even remember that it was bought as a refurb.

View Poll Results: Your refurbished e-reader experience?
Good, I'm happy	31	96.88%
Bad, I regret going this route	1	3.13%
Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll

11-20-2014, 09:07 AM	#1
ElWorm Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 45000 Join Date: Nov 2014 Device: Kobo H2O, Paperwhite 3, Oasis 2, Pocketbook HD, Glowlight Plus	Refurbished E-reader Experience I just ordered my dad a Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon. Money being tight for me right now I opted for a refurbished unit. I have purchased refurbished electronics in the past and have, for the most part, been happy. If you've purchased a refurbished e-reader, what has been your experience, good or bad?

11-20-2014, 08:59 PM	#4
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 24,295 Karma: 459220161 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	I tend to buy refurbished when possible and have almost never had a bad experience. Like, maybe once every few years. That being said, I haven't bought any refurbished ereaders. I have, however, bought two used ereaders -- a Kobo Wifi and a Nook Simple Touch. I got them both from Goodwill, and they both function perfectly. I've had the Nook for a month or two and don't use it much; I've had the Kobo since last summer and it got a moderate workout on a vacation. EDIT: My bad! I got my JetBook Mini as a "refurb" -- but my impression was that the retailer hadn't done much more than an exterior cleaning, since I found an unsupported micro-SD card and adapter still in the SD card slot. I've had it more than a year and it's working fine. Last edited by cromag; 11-20-2014 at 09:01 PM.

11-20-2014, 09:26 PM	#6
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I just purchased one of the Paperwhite 2 refurbished units and it's immaculate, as if it was new... no defects at all, no screen scratches, perfectly even screen coloring. And it comes with a 1 year warranty. Just be aware that if you let it update to the newest firmware, you can no longer add any hacks to it in case you're interested at all in that, such as the ability to add your own fonts to it. Check the Kindle forum for more info about it. I've also purchased a few used readers, Kobo Glo and Sony 350. Only 1 was absolutely horrid where it looked like someone used the top of the reader as a tray for keys and other heavy metal items, there were actually a few gouges in the screen, as well as scratches all over it. The others were immaculate and are still in use. Last edited by Ripplinger; 11-20-2014 at 09:28 PM.

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11-20-2014, 09:12 AM	#2
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,533 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle	Refurbished Kindles are generally like new. In fact, I've bought a lot of different refurbished electronics, and they have all been like new.

11-20-2014, 10:25 AM	#3
rcentros eReader Wrangler Posts: 7,443 Karma: 48453105 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Boise, ID Device: PB HD3, GL3, Tolino Vision 4, Voyage, Clara HD	The only refurbished eReader I've bought was a Sony PRS-T2. It was like new -- still basically is. I've bought a lot of refurbished electronic products -- I can't remember ever having a problem. (And refurbished products usually have a warranty -- sometimes (as in the case of the Sony T2) the exact same warranty as the new product. I think Amazon gives the same warranty for refurbished Kindles as they do for new also (I may be wrong on this) but I'm pretty sure they do.

11-20-2014, 09:15 PM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,975 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	As long as you get a full warranty, you'll be good to go.

11-20-2014, 10:29 PM	#8
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	True, but there's a good chance it will ship with original firmware, just so the OP is aware to check into it before doing an upgrade if he's at all interested in hacking it at all. Once it's done, there's no going back to downgrade the firmware like on other readers.

11-21-2014, 04:22 AM	#10
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	In a lot of cases, the only refurbished bits is the hardware inside. I have recently started buying stuff refurbished. Haven't tried an eReader yet, but bought my iPod Touch refurbished to save $100 on the bigger storage option. They specifically tell you that the shell and screen are new, but the inside bits aren't.

11-21-2014, 07:37 PM	#11
Antoinekamel Addict Posts: 278 Karma: 2511467 Join Date: Feb 2012 Device: ABC W p2	A refurbished e-reader is like a horse without a bycicle, isn't it?

11-22-2014, 08:42 AM	#12
jehane Book addict Posts: 441 Karma: 2650464 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Antarctica/Australia/Ohio Device: Sony PRS-300/T1/Asus TF101	I bought a refurbished Sony T2 and it's as good as the brand new one. I was once told that refurbished units are quite often those that people buy to try out, then send back when they decide on a different device. Since I also recall advice given here to buy all of the different devices under consideration, then send back those that weren't chosen, this seems like a reasonable theory.

11-22-2014, 06:26 PM	#13
JuniperPearl Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York Device: Sony PRS-505, Kindle 2, Kindle Fire, iPhone 5, Kindle Voyage	I got a refurbished unit when my Sony PRS-505 broke, and you couldn't even tell it was a refurbished unit. I never had any issues with it. I haven't had a refurbished Kindle, but I'd imagine they have standards on what is acceptable as a refurb unit and that you won't have any issues with it.

11-24-2014, 08:51 PM	#14
Tarana Wizard Posts: 3,978 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I received a refurbished kindle keyboard as a replacement when my new unit went bad less than 90 days after purchase. It worked perfectly fine until a couple of weeks ago when the WiFi failed. Finally did a factory reset, turned off wifi, and it's been working fine ever since with only sideloaded content. Bought it in 2010. So, from my single experience, refurbished is fine.

11-25-2014, 09:56 AM	#15
RHWright Addict Posts: 219 Karma: 2617122 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: North Carolina Device: NOOK ST, Nexus 7	I took me a moment to remember, but yeah, my NST is a refurb. Guess that speaks volumes for the quality of the refurb, when I barely even remember that it *was* bought as a refurb.

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