What is quality "reconditioned" merchandise? Factory-reconditioned merchandise refers to products that have been returned to the manufacturer for any of a number of reasons. Anytime a retail store or consumer opens a product in a box and it is not purchased, it cannot be sold as new. The item is then shipped back to the manufacturer to be "reconditioned." An item purchased by a consumer and returned for any reason--perhaps the product didn't work or the consumer simply didn't want it--whether it's the very next day or a month later, is sent back to the manufacturer to be "reconditioned." Some items, called "scratch and dents" have been returned to the manufacturer with visible wear and tear. I make every effort to ensure that our "factory reconditioned" merchandise does not include "scratch and dents." What does a manufacturer do to recondition products? Once returned to the manufacturer, the entire item is completely checked to assure it meets ALL factory specifications, then is quality tested AGAIN! Each manufacturer has its own procedures; items that didn't work are repaired, items that were returned after minimal use are cleaned and sanitized, items that were opened may be repackaged. All items are returned to like-new condition. I've also seen the terms "refurbished" or "factory serviced" in some item descriptions. What's the difference? Various manufacturers use these slightly different terms, but any item listed on my site as "refurbished" or "factory serviced" meets the same factory-reconditioned standards listed above. Rest assured that all factory-reconditioned products have gone through two, or even three, quality checks to ensure that they are as good as new. Do reconditioned products come in different packaging? By law, manufacturers are required to state on the packaging that an item has been factory reconditioned. Packaging and terminology differs slightly with each manufacturer. All items will arrive in a regular retail box with a sticker indicating that it has been reconditioned, refurbished, or factory serviced. What makes a reconditioned item such an excellent purchase? Factory reconditioned means high quality. In fact, factory-reconditioned goods have a very low return rate (2%) because they have been checked at least twice for proper working condition and quality. The price you pay for a factory-reconditioned item is much lower than at retail.