If you like to read a lot of text-only fiction, non-fiction and longform web articles, but don’t want to break the bank on a brand new Kindle e-book reader, but you still like the idea of having a full warranty like a new condition product, we have three bang for the buck options for you. All three below are certified refurbished by Amazon, with the same 1-year warranty as new condition:
+ entry-level Kindle with Touch Screen for $40 in Black or White color scheme
+ no built-in light, so mayhaps good for daylight readers
+ Kindle Paperwhite for $80
+ with built-in light but no physical page-turn buttons; in black or white color scheme
+ Kindle Voyage for $120
+ with built-in light and physical page turn buttons
+ NOTE: you may be able to find the entry-level Kindle and Paperwhite as online or B&M doorbusters for similar prices in new condition during the holiday shopping season…
CRACKPOT THEORY SEGMENT
Some speculate some of these certified refurbished may be new products sold as refurbished so as not to impact the price range expectations for the new condition products. I have no way to prove or disprove this. The one certified refurbished Kindle I bought (Paperwhite) looked pristine as if it was never used or opened. But I did not bring in a CSI team to analyze 🙂
“Crackpot,” you say? Well, I never . . .
Think about it. How many of these electronic wonder are designed, manufactured and intended to be repaired if they fail or are flawed? How many digital cameras can be repaired out of warranty at a cost that makes doing so preferable to just buying a new one — probably a newer one with more and better features? Do manufacturers really have so many flawed products or ones people want to return because they’re too complex or because they decide they went overboard buying them? And, if you believe those things, do you believe manufacturers really have the setup and numbers of technicians to put so many of their “returned” products in like-new, pristine condition? I don’t; I can’t imagine it.
Economies of scale are such that manufactures gear up for huge production runs of new models on a schedule. And, that’s it for that model or set of models. As one set of models is shipping out to resellers, the manufacturers are putting the finishing touches on the next models. They must flush the supply lines to keep to the schedule. If they or resellers get clogged up with unsold products the system gets backed up. Resellers won’t order the latest and greatest, and the scedule breaks down. That could cost really big money and interfere with competitiveness.
Is that a crackpot theory? I grant you it could be overstated or mistaken, but I think it’s sensible and plausible enough that, more likely than not, it’s true.
great points! Especially for products that are difficult to impossible to repair quickly or easily.