If this guide was at all helpful, please take 2 seconds to vote on it: Thank you for reading.

Where "As Is" Items Come From

In the consumer electronics catagory, returned products are a $100 billion/year issue for big box stores. For companies like Best Buy, Target, and Circuit City, electronic items are returned everyday that have defects. These items are sold as a part of lage lots of working and non-working items.  Sellers looking to dispose of this inventory will market them "As Is":  While they may be at a steep discount to even the new versions on eBay, they are not for everybody. 

Buyers of As Is inventory typically should be professional buyers, or buyers who know how to repair the the as is item listed.  This typically requires some expertise in the area of small electronics repair.  However, if you are not a profesional buyer or repair person, and wish to bid on an "As IS" item, here are a few tips...

Tips on Buying "AS IS" Items

• Read the entire listing, as the item details can often be in the fine print
• "Powered up" does not indicate the item functions as designed. 
• Know your product! Check out the website of the item you wish to buy to learn more about it to know what the item should be capable of.
• Most As Is items do not include any form of warranty, or the ability to return it to the seller, so bid accordingly.

While As Is items offer a great discount over new and used, buyers should know what they are getting into.  Good luck, and happy bidding.