Amazon Refurbished Is Closing – What Does It Mean for Buyers?

In a surprising turn of events, Amazon has announced the closure of its "Amazon Refurbished" program on March 7, 2025.

The company released a press filing on March 3, 2025, stating that Amazon India will shut down its refurbished product category across all product lines in India.

The same has been communicated to all sellers associated with Amazon Refurbished. 

With the program now set to close, customers and sellers are left wondering what this means for their options.

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A Little About Amazon Refurbished

Why Is Amazon Refurbished Closing?

What This Means for Consumers Moving Forward

What Is Mobilegoo?

Why Mobilegoo Could Be a Better Option for Buyers

A Little About Amazon Refurbished

Amazon Refurbished is an online shopping platform where different sellers could register themselves and sell pre-owned, refurbished, and open-box products. 

While these are technically second hand devices, experts inspect, test, and restore them to work like new devices. You also get a warranty on them. 

So, you basically get a device that functions like a new one but comes only at a fraction of the retail price.

Refurbished laptops, smartphones, and tablets are the most common devices sold on this platform. However, there are many other options available as well, like kitchen appliances, speakers, headphones, etc.

However, despite its appeal, the platform has faced its share of criticism. The products, although tested, did not always meet customer expectations in terms of quality. 

With the news about the closure of Amazon Refurbished, many buyers are now questioning their policies. Recent purchasers, in particular, are concerned about the availability of customer support and what will happen if issues arise with their products.

Why Is Amazon Refurbished Closing?

Amazon did not share any exact reasons why they are shutting down the business. However, there are many speculations circulating in the market. 

Some reports suggest that customers were dissatisfied with the quality of products sold on this platform. Many were facing recurring issues without any solution. Since any seller could sell on this platform and Amazon was not accountable, you never knew whom to trust.

You can also find many complaints online, stating dissatisfaction with the products. 

A Reddit user said, “I bought a 16-inch Macbook Pro 2019 edition laptop 2 years ago. The laptop works flawlessly, never had any problems until I had to do a simple harmless format... All nice and cool... Until it wasn't.

I got the very unpleasant surprise that Amazon Refurbished (where I got the laptop) didn't remove the damned Activation Lock, and I don't know who the real owner is. Amazing!...”

Another buyer gave a 1 star rating and said, “Please do not buy anything refurbished from usedyetnew, this is a scam. They send only the defective pieces of laptop and surprisingly Amazon also don't support. Laptops works only for few days till the Amazon return warranty gets over. I highly recommend do not buy anything...”

Some complained about the delivery as well. Even though there were significant delays, no solution was provided by Amazon or the seller. 

These factors led to a lot of frustration among the customers. People expect the products to meet certain standards when they are associated with a big name like Amazon. However, buyers had mixed experiences since the quality control varied depending on the supplier.

Also, Amazon’s increasing focus on newer areas, like its cloud services and streaming platforms, could be one of the reasons behind it. This business may not be in the company's best interest anymore. 

What This Means for Consumers Moving Forward

With the closure of Amazon Refurbished, customers who relied on the platform for discounted products will need to explore alternative options. 

While other platforms like Flipkart also offer refurbished products, buyers have to be vigilant because the same issues of inconsistent quality and warranty problems may arise. 

Mobilegoo stands out as a great alternative in this case. Unlike Amazon, we are not a mediator that facilitates the sale between the buyer and seller. Mobilegoo buys laptops and smartphones, refurbishes them, and then sells them to the customers. So, you get the guarantee of Mobilegoo with every device.

What Is Mobilegoo?

Mobilegoo is one of the leading names in the refurbished industry. You can buy refurbished smartphones of leading brands like Apple, Samsung, Google, etc. Additionally, you can buy refurbished laptops and accessories. 

You can find three different categories of refurbished devices here: Like-new, Superb, and Good. Like-new phones and laptops appear and function just like new devices. Superb devices are the ones with minor cosmetic imperfections. And, Good devices have prominent signs of wear but function just like new ones.

Since Mobilegoo takes complete responsibility for the refurbishment process, they ensure that every device meets high standards. Therefore, you do not have to worry about the reputation of the seller. 

Moreover, Mobilegoo offers warranties and easy return policies to give customers peace of mind.

You will also find a separate platform where you can sell your old and used phones and get the best value for those devices. It is a simple and convenient process that takes only 1 minute. You also get doorstep pickup and instant cash payment. 

Why Mobilegoo Could Be a Better Option for Buyers

Here are a few reasons why Mobilegoo could be a better option for you if you want to buy refurbished phones or laptops:

• Discounts: People buy refurbished devices mostly because of the high discounts. At Mobilegoo, you can find many devices with up to 70% discount. This ensures that you can buy high-end devices at affordable rates.

• Strict Quality Control: Every phone or laptop sold on Mobilegoo goes through proper testing and refurbishment. We have certified technicians who perform more than 55 quality checks to determine the quality of the device. Only when a device passes all these tests, we sell them to the customers. Only 1 out of 5 devices passes the test. Also, there are no third-party sellers on the platform.

• Warranties: Warranty is a sign that the refurbisher has faith in its product’s quality. We offer up to a 1 year warranty on our devices. This is because we have trust in the quality of our devices. Also, we have a 7 day replacement policy. If you find any issue with our device, we will replace it — no questions asked. 

• Sustainability: Buying from Mobilegoo is not only good for your wallet but also for the environment. By purchasing refurbished phones, you are reducing electronic waste and extending the life cycle of a product. Mobilegoo follows strict regulations to safely dispose of e-waste.

So, if you are planning to buy a refurbished device online, check out the collection of Mobilegoo today!