Pennywise: Save money on 30-day return items

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Ever wonder what happens to stuff that’s returned to sites that have 30-day, no-questions-asked return policies? Sometimes, the sites give them a bit of refurbishing to make sure they’re OK and then sell them at nice discounts. The only major difference, often, is a shorter warranty period.

For example, Dell sells its Studio 15 laptop computer, with lots of add-on goodies such as Microsoft Office software, new for $1,097. But on its outlet website, Dell sells a returned Studio 15 with nearly the same add-ons (a bit smaller hard drive is the only difference) for $819. That’s a 25% savings. The new model gets a year warranty, the returned laptop gets six months.

At Wholelattelove, which specializes in high-end home espresso machines, a new Rancilio Silvia goes for $699 with two-year warranty. The returned model at its outlet is $599 with six months.

And at Crutchfield, which sells electronics, the Dash Express GPS unit for cars is $299.99 with a year warranty. At the company outlet, a returned unit is $269.99 also with a year warranty.

-- David Colker