Factory second

Factory seconds, also known as refurbished goods or simply as seconds, are retail items which, through minor fault of manufacture, are sold to the public for a reduced rate, rather than being discarded. Such goods are often resold at this lower rate after having being returned to the manufacturer's factory by the original retailer or returned to the retailer or wholesaler by the customer.

The amount of damage or fault in the manufacture which may constitute an item being resold as a second varies widely; in clothing, for example, it may simply refer to a single pulled thread or mis-sewn seam, whereas in a set of items (such as crockery) it may mean there is one piece missing from the set. Discount stores frequently rely on the sale of factory seconds as a major part of their trade.

See also