5 Ways to Find Good Refurbished Power Tools For Your Workshop or Business

By: Alphonso Sirtle..


Power tools can be very expensive, and one of the ways that you can cut down on expenses for your home workshop or building business is by buying refurbished power tools. Refurbished tools, if they have been serviced properly, can be a bargain, and there can be several ways to get good ones if you know where to look, and what to look for. Here are some of the ways that you can procure some good refurbished tools for your home workshop or business.

1.Going out of business sales - Businesses that use power tools on a regular basis will often want to get some kind of a return on their tool investment when they go out of business. For this reason, they may go over all of their power tools and give them any servicing that is needed, including replacing any worn or broken parts, and then sell them. Refurbished tools sell for more than used tools do, so some businesses may make a small investment in refurbishing their power tools so that they can see a better profit when they sell them. Some businesses have in-house tool repair personnel, and that makes it easier for them to refurbish their used power tools. The one drawback to buying refurbished power tools from a company that is going out of business is that they will probably not be around if you find that there is a problem with the power tool that you bought, so you have no recourse if you are not satisfied. If the business is one that you have worked with before, and you have a good relationship with them, then you may feel that the risk of buying refurbished tools from them is worth it. You might want to ask, however, if there is someone that you can call if your tool does not seem to work properly. You may be able to get it repaired for free even if the company is no longer in business.

2.Retail stores - Many stores will send returned products back to the manufacturer for repair or inspection, and then will turn around and sell these products as refurbished after the manufacturer sends them back. This is one of the best way to get good deals on power tools, as they usually will still carry a warranty. Even if they are warrantied, most stores will have to sell them for a lower price simply because they had been faulty at one time. Stores will clearly mark products as refurbished when they have been serviced after being returned, and this is what you want to look for. If you do not see a warranty that goes along with the refurbished power tool that you are considering buying, ask about one. The warranty on a refurbished tool will usually not be for as long as the warranty for a new tool, but it should still be long enough so that you will be able to tell if the tool is going to work properly for a reasonable length of time. If the retailer does not offer any kind of warranty on a refurbished tool, it is best to shop elsewhere.

3.Internet auction sites - Although people used to be leery of buying products, including power tools, from Internet auction sites, ideas about these sites are changing. Internet auction sites, most notably Ebay.com, have saved consumers a great deal of money over the years. With seller feedback comments and ratings that you can read before buying, as well as other ways that the auctions sites use to help maintain customer satisfaction, buyers are coming back time and time again to Internet auction sites to purchase products that they need and want. Instead of wading through all of the products that are for sale on auction sites, you can do a search specifically for "refurbished power tools", and that will usually bring up just the results that you are looking for. You can even trade messages with sellers so that you can ask any questions before you bid on an item.

4.Estate Sales, Yard Sales, Garage Sales - Though most of these types of sales will offer used items only, there will be some homeowners who will be selling refurbished power tools simply because they have always treated their power tools well. Some people will be selling power tools that they no longer plan on using in their business or at home due to retirement, illness, etc, but they have taken very good care of these power tools while they did use them. Although with these types of sales you aren't going to get any warranties on power tools, if you have a good eye for quality tools and good maintenance, you could still get a good tool at a great bargain. Although these might not necessarily count as "refurbished" tools, they will probably be just as good.

5.Newspaper ads - Look in the "tool" section of your local newspaper, and you may be able to find several people or businesses that sell refurbished tools. Some people buy used tools, inspect them and replace any parts that are worn or broken, and then turn around and sell them as refurbished tools. You may be taking a little more of a risk here than if you buy refurbished tools through a retail store, but it may be worth it if you find a good supplier who sells tools continuously through newspaper ads. Start out buying only one refurbished tool, and see how well you think it works. If you like the quality of the tool, you can probably feel more confident buying more refurbished tools from this person or business.


Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on power tools at his website at www.improve-home.com