Whether you're a serious gamer or a parent looking for a good deal on an Xbox 360, consider buying a refurbished console. In some cases, a refurbished Xbox is a retired floor-model, or a faulty machine that's been repaired and re-certified by the manufacturer. In others, it only has a minor cosmetic defect, or was returned to the retailer because a shopper had changed their mind and chose a different system instead such as PS3. Most likely, you won't know exactly where a particular machine comes from or why it is being sold as a refurb. The key is make sure that you're covered: shop around for the best possible warranty, as well as the best price.

To learn more about how to buy a refurbished Xbox 360, check out the information below. You'll be glad you did when you find yourself blasting away on Halo 3 with a few extra bucks in your pocket.

• Many people may be put off when they hear the word refurbished. Truth be told, there are some risks when it comes to buying refurbished electronics. It is important to make sure you get a good deal on a warranty from the company you buy refurbished products from. And you will definitely want to research their return policy before handing over your hard earned cash.

Microsoft, the manufacturer of the Xbox 360, offers discount and special deals at their outlet stores and direct from their online store. Microsoft also guarantees that all of their refurbished electronics have been inspected and tested before repackaging for sale. Many times, refurbished goods may have minor cosmetic damage, like scratches and/or dings on the outside. Microsoft offers a 1 year warranty on refurbished Xbox consoles.http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/xbox360/hardware/warranty/warranty/ProductWarrantyRefurbished.aspx

A number of online electronics dealers offer hot deals on refurbished Xbox 360s. For example, you can buy a refurbished Xbox 360 from online sites like:

1. eBay.comhttp://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=refurbished+xbox+360&_sacat=See-All-Categories
2. Tigerdirect.comhttp://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=3264&srkey=xbox%20360
3. RefurbDepot.comhttp://www.refurbdepot.com/freetext2.cfm
4. Overstock.comhttp://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=refurbished%20xbox&SearchType=Header
5. GameStop.comhttp://www.gamestop.com/lxbox360
6. Shopping.comhttp://www.shopping.com/xFS?KW=refurbished+xbox&CLT=SCH

This list contains only a small fraction of the number online retailers who deal in refurbished electronics. Check out Microsoft's where to buy section located in their website to find a complete list of places that sell the Xbox 360.http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/

Buying refurbished products means that you take a risk with a product that may not work properly when it arrives. You want to make sure that you are able to return it to the seller if it is damaged or does not work properly. Before you buy anything, review warranty and return information. If the warranty on the product is not worthwhile, you may want to pass on that particular offer and look elsewhere.

It's important to shop around when it comes to buying refurbished products. You don't want to just dive on the first deal that you see, simply because it's low-priced. Some important things to consider when shopping refurbished include:

1. Price
2. Reputation
3. Can you check on the seller/company's sales history and customer feedback?
4. Warranties
5. Return polices

A good place to check out is local video game stores like Gamestop. http://www.gamestop.com/lxbox360 Chances are they have a large selection of used video game consoles to choose from. You may also find refurbished video games for a great price to go with your system.

• When money is tight, buying refurbished is a great way to get a quality product at a low cost. Refurbished goods are almost always repaired and reinspected before they are shipped out to a new buyer, and sometimes damages may be nothing more than cosmetic scratches. You can buy an Xbox 360 directly from Microsoft, or from a number of reputable online dealers. Before you commit to anything, be sure that you shop around and compare prices, reputations, the warranty each company is offering and whether or not they have a return policy. It is important to bear in mind, however, that buying refurbished has its risks. The product you receive may be damaged beyond repair, which is why it's important to make sure you can return it for a replacement or your money back.

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