Refurbished items opinion

What are your thoughts on refurbished parts.... manufacturer refurbished to be specific

 

If it still has a warranty it's a solid way to get parts normally out of your budget

 

Depends what part it is. Auto parts for the engine, yeah I’d be cool with. Refurb parts for a computer or refurb electronics would be a pass for me

 

I’m talking about car stereo.... please elaborate for me if you don’t mind

 

Yeah I pass on refurb electronics. Just because it says refurbished doesn’t mean much. If they plug it in and it turns on, that can pass most “refurb” quality control checks. And even if an item is listed as “factory refurb” they don’t say what factory. Essentially no major manufacturer does in-house refurb because it takes too much time and money to take something apart, find the broken piece, and replace it and put it back together. Assembly lines and factories just aren’t set up that way.

the exception would be a “smaller” company like Kicker or AudioControl where EVERYTHING is in house. They build amps right there in the building by hand and do have people that refurb products sent in for warranty work.

 

what about JL audio?

 

I’m not entirely sure about JL. I would recommend calling their tech line and just asking if they refurb products and what dealers are authorized to sell their refurb.
If it’s someone like Crutchfield, it’s probably legit. If it’s Amazon, I might be cautious.
Calling and asking would be my personal preference

 

there’s too many variables IMO with refurb electronics. Mainly that someone else has either installed it, used it or tinkered with it then returned it. Something can be scuffed, cut or damaged and not be seen or picked up.

I also have a mental thing that bothers me with used electronic products that I can’t get over. To each their own though. Just my two cents.

the price difference is probably not a significant difference between new and refurb.

 

The dealer in question is Creative Audio which is an authorized online dealer

 

Legit JL dealer

 

Electronics are a tuff choice refurbished. A lot would depend on how much you are saving and if it comes with same warranty. JL Audio is usually a quality product.

 

Never the same warranty but a short warranty

 

What specifically are you trying to get?

 

A JL amplifier

 

Refurb Subs -as along as they were refurbed by the manufacturer, are perfectly ok. You get a brand new cone/voice coil, inside a used frame/magnet assembly.

 

I don't think Kicker makes anything in house anymore. They still do design there, but they farmed out production long ago to China and Korea. They used to make stuff in Stillwater, all of it IIRC, but you can't buy American-made car audio at their prices. American-made amps especially are EXPENSIVE! Pretty sure AC car stuff is produced overseas as well...hardly any car audio manufactured in the USA and if it is, you and I probably can't afford it. Pretty sure they do warranty work, testing, prototyping, etc there in Stillwater, but no production.

JL is the only large car audio company I can think of that still makes stuff in house, and it's a minority of their products. IIRC the W6 and W7 lines are made there now and that's it. Maybe the slash amps???

On the refurb thing, I'd buy refurb from either the manufacturer or a solid retailer like Crutchfield if it is priced accordingly and comes with a good warranty. I buy used stuff from folks all the time - why would I not buy refurb for the right price?

 

On the whole I’ve done well with refurbished products.

 

My knee works much better, less pain, after a laparoscopic procedure to remove a bone chip.

That's refurbished, right?

Not being an audiophile I don't seek high end stuff. But a couple of refurbished pieces I bought over the years, at about 70% of retail, worked out fine.

Making the choice depends on many factors that only you can decide on. Cheaper may be better. Or not. Your risk tolerance is the question.