Is that a good deal, or should you stick to the new models? These are great questions, and I’m going to attempt to shed some light on them in this article.
I’ll just go ahead and let the cat out of the bag and let you know my general answer to this question. No! For what GPS receivers cost new and for the amount of money you’ll save, to me it doesn’t make sense for you to buy a reconditioned unit.
Let me explain my reasoning.
Right now, on Amazon, you can get a Tom Tom 3rd Edition, brand new!, for $119.49. If you want to buy a reconditioned unit, that will cost you $109. Personally, I just don’t see saving $10 as a reason to buy a used unit–even if it’s reconditioned by Tom Tom themselves.
Well, maybe I picked the wrong example. Maybe you can save some real money on other models. Let’s see…
A new Magellan Maestro 3100 will cost you $109. Used, you’re looking at $99! Again, a $10 difference.
Even in the higher prices, there’s not but about a $20 difference between a new unit and a refurbished unit. The Garmin nuvi 660 (a great GPS device, by the way!) is currently selling for $329. Refurbished it’s $309.
$10 to $20 seems to be all the difference there is currently between new and refurbished GPS receivers.
Maybe you think differently, but to me that’s not enough of a savings for the potential hassles of buying an older, used unit.
If you’ve been looking for a reconditioned GPS for sale and found price differences that are larger than what I’m quoting you, then I suspect I know what the issue is.
Prices for GPS recievers of all kinds have dropped a lot over the past two years. What cost $400 or so dollars a year or two ago, only costs $200 or so now.
I’ve seen price comparison websites where they show you the low, low reconditioned price compared with the price for a new unit. What they’re doing, though, is using prices for the new units that are at least a year old–sometime older.
They’re doing this to get you to think you’re saving $300 to $400 by buying a reconditioned GPS. You’re not, because the new GPS’s don’t sell for those higher prices any more.
Part of the issue is dealing with unscrupulous businesses and internet marketers who are willing to skew their prices in order to deceive you. This is why (at least to my mind) it’s so important to deal with really reputable companies like Amazon.
There are others, and I’m not trying to say Amazon is the only reputable company on the Web. They do enjoy a very good and very well deserved reputation for fair dealing, and because of that I’m using them in my example.
If you’re looking at someone’s website that’s selling other companies’ products (called affiliate marketing), make sure the company that you’re actually buying from is someone with a good, customer friendly reputation like Amazon.
Just as an example, I have a number of websites that sell other companies’ stuff. But the companies I work with are only the best ones–the ones you can trust to quote you fair prices on their merchandise.
So, with prices as low as they currently are, to my mind, a reconditioned GPS for sale just doesn’t make sense. Go ahead and spend the extra $10 to $20 and get a brand spanking new unit.
By: Rick Cole
Posts Tagged ‘Garmin Gps’
How About Buying a Reconditioned GPS For Sale?
January 16th, 2010Things You Should Consider When Selecting a GPS Device
January 15th, 2010
Most people become confused when trying to decide which GPS unit will fit their need and price range. One of the first things to decide is which brand to purchase? I recommend Garmin devices, because they are not only the most popular but generally are the most technologically advanced units on the market. For most applications Garmin offers the broadest range of available units and mapping available. Of course there can always be an exception with the many applications for GPS.
You should decide which application you will be using your GPS device for. If you will be using the GPS unit for finding directions in your car you should purchase a different unit than you would for Geocaching. If you are interested in a GPS unit primarily for boating, that will be a different GPS also.
Most GPS units are flexible in use but like airplanes, each model is more adapted to specific usage. It will be difficult, if not impossible to find a GPS unit that fits all of the different uses GPS is capable of.
Garmin manufactures and sells GPS units for airplanes, automotive use, motorcycles, boats, bicycles, runners, fishing, hunting, and the list goes on. Some of these units are very flexible and some are quite usage specific.
Garmin manufactures handheld GPS units that are very flexible in usage. Handheld units are great for carrying with you on outdoor activities. You can purchase handheld GPS units that have worldwide cities mapping included with other features. Some units come with preloaded mapping of USA inland lakes. Units are available with marine mapping preloaded and the list goes on.
Most Garmin handheld GPS units allow you to share data with other Garmin users wirelessly. Most Garmin units have the Tracback feature. Tracback shows with a line, your exact route and you can follow it back to where you began. Trackback is exclusive Garmin. Some of the Garmin units float in water and many are waterproof.
All of Garmin’s latest handheld GPS units can be connected to your PC to upload or download data. Most Garmin units are WAAS enabled giving you greater accuracy in the data you receive from GPS satellites.
Garmin manufactures handheld GPS units that are Geocaching friendly, allowing you to download and upload to and from the internet, or other users, GPX files that give the coordinates of the secret stash.
When purchasing a GPS unit you should consider all the elements I have given before deciding which GPS unit to purchase. Of course in the end you may purchase more than one unit for you different activities.
By: LaZinnia Manley
