January 06, 2009, 2:25 PM — Looking for a good deal on an iPhone? You could try eBay but a safer bet might be Best Buy in the U.S., which announced on Tuesday that it has started selling refurbished iPhone 3Gs at a slightly discounted price.
The 8GB model costs US$149, instead of $199 for a new one. A refurbished 16GB model is going for $249 instead of $299 for the new model.
While the price of the iPhone has come down since the first version was introduced in 2006, the $50 discount on the refurbished models could prove attractive to some people, especially those who are more carefully watching spending during the economic downturn.
Like new iPhones, the refurbished models require a two-year contract with AT&T.
Buyers get a one-year warranty on the phones from Best Buy.
The secondhand devices aren't necessarily handsets that buyers replaced because of defects. The phones are those that were returned during a 30-day trial period that comes with the sale and then refurbished to their original condition, Best Buy said. People may return phones because of coverage issues where they live or other reasons unrelated to the quality of the device.
Initially, 350 Best Buy stores are selling the phones, but by the end of the month all stores are expected to have them, the retailer said.
