Refurbished treadmills are big business. Because treadmills can
be so expensive there are many who can not afford to buy a new
one. That’s where refurbished treadmills come in. But what
exactly are refurbished treadmills?
It’s not just because treadmills are expensive that people are
looking to buy some form of second hand, used or refurbished
treadmill. It can also be because there is a huge range of
treadmills on the market. With a huge range of features.
The aspiring treadmill user is often aware that it is better to
start at the lower end of the treadmill market and spend some
time getting the feel for exercising on a treadmill.
Although treadmills are some of the most popular items of
fitness equipment in the US, they don’t appeal to everyone. Some
people can find that they use a treadmill for a while and decide
that they prefer some other form of exercise. Sometimes it not
another piece of indoor exercise equipment, it’s just that they
prefer to exercise outdoors.
So many people will spend a more limited amount of money on a
lower end machine and wait until they are happy to upgrade.
Others will buy a refurbished treadmill at a much lower price
and get a better machine than they would get buying new at the
cheapest end of the market.
Not only that, once you have spent some time using a treadmill
you will get some feel for the types of features you require in
a treadmill. There’s no point in rushing out and buying the most
expensive, top of the range model just to find that you don’t
use most of the features.
So it makes sense to spend less, get some basic treadmill
experience in, and then upgrade to get the exact model you want
with the features you need. So you may not need to buy new for
your first treadmill anyway, as you may only have it for a year
or two.
That’s where refurbished treadmills come in. There are risks in
just going out to look for ordinary used treadmills. You don’t
know what you are getting. If the motor breaks down the day
after you buy it then it may become an expensive treadmill.
A refurbished treadmill, although usually more expensive than a
similar second hand model, is a safer bet, especially in the
long term.
So, back to our question, what is a refurbished treadmill?
There is a whole range of “cheaper” treadmills. They can be
called refurbished treadmills, factory refurbished treadmills,
remanufactured treadmills or just used or second hand treadmills.
Lets dispose of the last two first. Used and second hand
treadmills are generally just treadmills that someone has used
and wants to sell. You buy them, you take all the risk. Unless
you know exactly what to look for when buying a treadmill like
this then stay clear. Cheap treadmills like this can certainly
be, well, cheap. But risky.
And the others? Generally all the terms mean that the treadmills
have been disassembled to some degree and rebuilt, usually with
new parts to relace broken or worn out parts. The frame sand
blasted, sometimes, and the treadmill resprayed, sometimes.
However there can be some differences.
Remanufactured treadmills or refurbished treadmills means just
that. Treadmills which have been remanufactured or refurbished
as we have described above. It doesn’t tell you WHO
remanufactured or refurbished them. Was it the local bicycle
mechanic who did it? Often you don’t know.
And what is the difference between refurbished and
remanufactured? Generally remanufactured will mean an older
machine which needs parts replacing because it is getting more
worn out. Refurbished usually means newer machines which may
even be only a year or two old and which do not have enough wear
to require serious rebuilding.
Better always to look for FACTORY refurbished or remanufactured
treadmills. Machines which have gone back to the original
factory and been refurbished by qualified technicians. Or else a
business which makes a living from remanufacturing or
refurbishing treadmills.
This process should involve taking the treadmill apart,
examining all the parts and replacing all broken, worn out or
old parts. Before it is reassembled it should be sand blasted
and repainted. It should look like a new treadmill, or at least
very close to it.
So, things to look for:
1.The age of the treadmill.
2.Who is refurbishing or remanufacturing it.
3.Most importantly, the warranty you get with it.
Why the warranty? Well if it’s a great refurbished treadmill
then they ought to recognise this with a great warranty.
No warranty? Stay clear. 60 or 90 days? Better but not perfect.
The longer the warranty, the more confidence you have in the
machine. So when you buy, make sure you check out the warranty.
I have just been looking on the net at some refurbished Precor
treadmills at my favourite refurbished treadmills merchant.
Certainly amongst the refurbished Precor treadmills there is a
lower range to choose from than new, but you’d expect that. But
there are still plenty of choices. And expect a substantial
saving off new price.
So if you’re new to treadmills and looking for refurbished
Precor treadmills, or any refurbished treadmills for that
matter, then there are some good choices available at some
substantial savings.
Refurbished treadmills, certainly something to think about for
the new treadmill user.
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