Buying a Used Coffee Maker or Refurb Coffee Maker

Home coffee machines and coffee makers have long been one of the most popular modern-day appliances on the planet. Not a surprise. These appliances create a liquid fuel known as coffee that helps society function on sane levels 🙂

Those looking to invest in a quality home coffee machine or coffee maker most likely already appreciate the cost-savings of being able to brew your own coffee instead of paying premium prices for coffee at the local cafe. Being motivated to save money is always a good thing. What many buyers don't realize is that buying a used coffee maker or refurbished coffee maker can take their savings to new heights without compromising on quality.

Refurbished Jura ENA Micro 5	Refurbished Jura A9 P.E.P.	Refurbished Jura J6	Refurbished Jura J80 Matte Black
5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5
Unique rotating coffee spouts  Select from three programmed cup sizes and 2 strengths Powerful pump rated for 15 bars of pressure. 4 oz. Bean Hopper has air tight aroma preservation cover	Aroma+ Grinder  12 programmed specialty coffee drink selections. Available for the first time are Latte Macchiato Doppio & Cappuccino Doppio Fine Foam Technology	The Aroma G3 grinder preserves the aroma while grinding to optimal fineness. Pulse Extraction Process (PEP) that optimizes extraction time  An intelligent water system that uses RFID technology	Choose between multiple strengths and serving sizes Smart monitors show when water or beans need to be added A conical burr coffee grinder has variable fineness adjustment and the 15-bar power pump
Retail: $1,299	Retail: $1,999	Retail: $2,999	Retail: $2,599
$599	$1,299	$1,799	$1,499

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Why Buy Used Coffee Maker or Refurbished Coffee Maker?

Surprisingly, many often overlook the option of buying a refurb coffee maker. One thing to consider is that coffee machines in general are built to be durable. Unlike other appliances that can degrade quickly overtime through use, coffee machines tend to have a much longer shelf-life. The wear and tear from regular use tends to have little to no effect on that actual functionality of the machine. In many cases, a refurbished coffee machine will function just as well as when it was fresh out of the box. Because of this, buying refurbished coffee makers and used coffee makers are a low-risk item that confers many benefits.

I'd say the most important thing to remember when buying refurbished machines is making sure to ask questions. Peace of mind has no price tag so be sure you've done your research and don't be afraid to ask questions.

What to Consider When Buying a Used Coffee Maker or Refurbished Coffee Maker?

Used Coffee Maker

Some buyers don't realize that ‘used‘ and ‘refurbished‘ are very different things. A used coffee maker is sold “as is”. Used items compared to refurbished items will generally be of lower value and so priced lower. The condition of a used coffee maker is totally dependent on how well the original owner took care of the machine. Buying used coffee machines or refurb coffee maker is a great way to go, but it does require some extra research in order to make sure you're getting the most value for your investment. Please don't get me wrong. There are definitely a sea of high quality used coffee makers out there. It just takes a little treasure hunting to find the right one. When buying a used coffee machine, there are a number of pertinent questions to ask such as:

• How old is the used coffee machine?
• What condition is it in?
• What is the return policy?
• Is it still under warranty?

Refurbished Coffee Maker / Refurb Coffee Maker

On the other hand, refurbished items are in a completely different class. Refurbished coffee machines will have undergone a smattering of diagnostic tests to ensure the item works like it did originally. It may have have been returned due to a faulty part or just had general issues. Either way, a refurbished coffee machine is almost always going to be of higher value than a used coffee machine. If you've chosen to go with a refurbished coffee maker, then you'll want to also consider who refurbished it. Manufacturer refurbished machines versus sell-refurbished machines are not the same. If a manufacturer refurbishes the coffee machine, you can rest easy knowing that a certain professional standard was met in restoring this machine to its original working condition. As a reflection of their confidence in their process, these manufacturers will usually attach a warranty to their refurbished item. Warranties are especially important when buying refurbished coffee makers. In most cases, used coffee machines will not come with comparable warranties. Keep in mind every manufacturer has different standards so make sure to choose one that has a reputation for reliable customer support. Companies with sterling reputations such as Capresso and Jura are known for their quality refurbished coffee machines and confer invaluable peace of mind for their customers.

Questions to ask:

• Why was it returned?
• Who did the reconditioning or refurbishing? Was it the manufacturer or Joe Blow?
• Is it the coffee machine under warranty? If so, how long.
• Is there a returned policy?

If you're interested in learning about exactly how espresso machines are refurbished, check out this very helpful article.

Best Factory Refurbished Espresso and Coffee Machines

To be quite honest, I don't recommend going the used route unless you really know what the person selling it. I think they're just too many unknowns when going this route. Peace of mind is important to me which is why I'd suggest spending a little more and going the refurbished or recertified machines. Below we've outlined some excellent refurbished coffee maker options that will make you the perfect cup of coffee or espresso at the perfect price. These items fit our criteria for quality refurbished espresso and coffee makers. We'll be regularly updating this list of best refurbished coffee makers and used coffee makers.

Refurbished Capresso Ultima Pro Coffee and Espresso Machine

The refurbished Capresso Ultimate Pro is phenomenal value. For aspiring home-baristas out there, this is the perfect entry-level purchase. Originally priced at $200, you can get this quality coffee maker for $119 when you buy refurbished. Backed by a Capresso brand name, the Factory Refurbished Capresso Ultima Pro is a pump espresso machine with programmable cup size. The volume of both single and double shots can be set to your desired level.

Capresso EC100 Refurb Coffee Maker

The refurbished Capresso EC100 Espresso Machine represents an amazing entry-level machine value, perfect for a dorm room, for someone just starting out into the world of espresso, or maybe for the cabin. Don't let the price fool you. This pump espresso and cappuccino machine is a solid performer and features a Stainless-steel-lined thermoblock heating system and a powerful pump. For use with ground coffee or espresso pods. Save $80 and still have a one year warranty. For less than the cost of two months of coffee from a shop, you can have your own espresso and coffee machine.

Refurbished Jura Ena Micro 5 Coffee Machine

For the average coffee drinker, the thought of one day owning a Jura is a nothing short of a dream come true. When you buy refurbished, new possibilities become abound. Jura is a name that any true coffee lover will know. They are known for making some of the highest quality coffee machines on the planet. That phrase is to be taken literally. The Refurbished Jura ENA Micro 5 features an intelligent coffee spout where you select one or two spouts and the machine automatically prepares the corresponding volume of espresso or coffee. It is the first Jura machine that allows for the strength to be adjusted when preparing two drinks at the same time. Simple and very compact, the Micro 5 prepares coffee or espresso with wonderful crema.

Refurbished Jura Impressa C64 Coffee and Espresso Machine

Next on the list is another Jura machine that takes the art of making espresso and coffee to new levels. Jura Impressa C65 is simple and elegant. A rotary switch combined with a plain text display allows you to brew a perfect cup of coffee at the touch of a button. The C65 also features Jura's Fine Foam Frothing technology for delicious cappuccino and latte.

Overview: Used Coffee Makers and What to Know

One of the most common reasons why coffee and espresso machines are returned is not because of a lack of quality or performance, but rather because people do not know how to operate them properly. In these cases, many people have overlooked the operating manual or simply lack the ability to acquire the proper knowledge to learn how to operate the machine the correct way. Once a refurbished coffee maker is returned, for whatever reason, it can only be sold as a refurbished machine moving forward – even if the machine is in perfect working condition.

This is good news for those looking for both performance and cost-savings at the same time.

There are many high-quality refurbished coffee makers and espresso machines on the market. Even in the instance that the machine was damaged, the refurbished machine is fully repaired into full working order. This makes knowing who is doing the repairs vital to purchasing a fully functional refurbished machine. You want to evaluate who is doing the repairs and if they are espresso/coffee maker machine experts. If they are trusted repair people then you can have more faith when purchasing your refurbished machine.

There are a few things you will want to consider before making your refurbished coffee maker purchase. For starters, has the machine ever been rebuilt in the past? If so, you might want to avoid these machines and find one that is more reliable.

Furthermore, if the machine is being repaired, what type of parts are being used to complete the repair? To ensure you are getting a quality machine, you will need to buy from a Factory Authorized/Certified Center. This makes sure the people repairing your machine are properly trained by the original manufacturer. It also allows this repair center to use original parts supplied by the manufacturer that are sure to work on the machine itself.

If you have the budget and can find a “like new” or “open box” version of the refurbished coffee maker, be sure to make the decision quickly. Often times, these particular machines go quickly. A “like new” or “open box” means that the machine was taken out of the box and either not used or lightly used and returned. The product is almost identical to the new counterpart, except because it was taken out of the box, it can no longer be sold as a new machine. The plus side to these machines is that they did not require any repairs or have any damaged components. Although these are more expensive than an outright refurbished coffee maker, you are getting an almost brand-new machine and are still saving money from purchasing a new one.

You also want to take into effect any warranty that might be provided. If you are buying from a reputable vendor it's likely that they'll provide some type of warranty on the refurbished coffee maker. This warranty will not likely be as long as the original warranty on the new machine, but it will give you some insurance if the machine breaks within the first few weeks of buying it. We recommend going with machines that are backed by warranties of over a year. 1stinCoffee is an excellent resource for refurbished machines and meet our 1 year minimum for warranties.

Final Thoughts: Things to Know Before Making Your Purchase

• Be sure to thoroughly read the warranty information. This is one of those times when you should put you're lawyer hat on and read the fine print to make sure there are no surprises. Reputable companies such as refurbished coffee machine offer 1 year warranties with their refurbished coffee and espresso machines.
• Look for catch terms like “All Sales are Final” or “Sold as is”. If you see this, it's probably best to move on since there's no recourse should get a lemon.  Don't buy any refurbished or recertified coffee machines if they don't come with a warranty. Simple as that.

Related topic: Check out our full guide on refurbished Juras.