Selling ‘like new’ products.

Soon after announcing its new Garden Store, Amazon Australia has started selling refurbished mobile phones, computers, tablets, headphones and wireless speakers, from the likes of Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Lenovo, HP and Dell, as part of its Renewed program.

The program provides customers with refurbished products up to 60% cheaper than brand new counterparts, with a six-month warranty from the selling partner. More categories are expected to be available soon.

Amazon claims that the refurbishment process includes a full diagnostic test, replacement of any defective parts, a thorough cleaning and inspection process, and repackaging of the product.

Amazon Australia country manager, Matt Furlong said, “Renewed provides Australian customers with great discounts on good as new products, paired with the reassurance of a six-month warranty and the convenience of having it delivered to their door.”

According to the 2019 Gumtree Second-Hand Economy report, the second hand economy is now valued at $43 billion. Almost 95 million used goods were sold in the last 12 months, with a growing number of people selling second hand for the first time in the last year.

Electronics such as phones and PCs are the second largest unwanted items behind clothing, shoes and accessories with 85% of Australians selling these items to offload them. Of those selling second hand, 78% were sold online, compared to only 14% at garage sales and 10% at markets.

On average, second-hand buyers estimate they have saved almost half the cost (43%) of what they would have paid brand new.