Reconditioned Garden Tools

Both hand or power garden tools can be reconditioned.

Often the terms "refurbished" and "reconditioned" are used interchangeably, but generally, they are not the same thing. Refurbishing occurs when parts are replaced with those that aren't necessarily from the same brand. Reconditioning, on the other hand, is typically done by the original manufacturer with genuine parts. Reconditioned garden tools range from shovels to riding lawnmowers.

Basics

A garden tool, such as a spade or a power edger, may be labeled "reconditioned" for a variety of reasons. The customer could have bought the wrong model or was dissatisfied with the product and returned it to the store. The garden tool's box may have been damaged during delivery or shipping, or a curious customer may have opened and removed the tool from the box in the store. Because the box has been opened, the product must be labeled reconditioned. Upon inspection at the retailer or factory, the garden tool may have been declared a "second," meaning there is a cosmetic defect, such as a scratch in the paint, a ding in the metal or perhaps a single rake tine is misshapen. Sometimes a tool doesn't work properly, so it will be returned to the store or manufacturer, where it is reconditioned.

Certified Tools

Certified factory-reconditioned garden tools are often ones that the customer or retail establishment have returned to the factory. In essence, the tool has been repaired. The tool will be cleaned and, if needed, repainted, parts fixed or replaced and checked for quality and functionality. The manufacturer sometimes will repackage the tool or place it into a plain box. The garden tool will usually have some sort of paperwork declaring it reconditioned with a certificate that the parts or reconditioning is genuine and performed by the factory. Usually a limited warranty will accompany the product to bolster the consumer's confidence that the garden tool is in working order.

Reconditioned Lawnmowers

Many reconditioned lawnmowers are products without any defects that have simply been used or returned by the customer. Because of the price involved with a lawnmower, some customers suffer buyer's remorse or only needed the mower for one project and then unscrupulously return it to the store. Make sure that a more expensive item like a lawnmower is certified as factory reconditioned, to avoid future hassles.

Benefits

Purchasing reconditioned garden tools keeps perfectly good material out of landfills. In addition to the green aspect, often reconditioned garden tools are drastically reduced in price, especially if the tools are without their original packaging. Sometimes the tool will have the original paperwork taped to the tool, or the box taped shut so it is visible that tampering of some kind has occurred. Reconditioned tools are generally as good as if not better than "regular" new in the box garden tools. The savings incurred by the consumer often outweighs the repaint job or the lack of a box.

References

• Planet Green: Find, Buy Refurbished Tools
• Factory Reconditioned Power Tools: What are Factory Reconditioned Power Tools?
• Mowers Direct: Factory Reconditioned Lawnmowers