Buying a new TV can be a significant investment, especially if you're looking at premium technologies like OLED TVs, QLED TVs, or larger screen sizes. Unsurprisingly, many shoppers want the best picture quality possible but are forced to reconsider when they’re faced with premium price tags.
Shopping for a graded TV, however, is a smart way for you to enjoy high-end performance for a fraction of the standard retail price. After all, they’re not the risky purchase that some people assume they are. In fact, graded TVs are one of the best-kept secrets for savvy TV buyers.
What Are Graded TVs?
A graded TV is a brand-new or lightly used television that can no longer be sold by traditional retailers. This is because they are often customer returns, ex-display models, end-of-line models or have damaged packaging.
Although many people mistakenly assume that ‘graded’ means a TV is damaged or faulty, this is rarely the case. Graded TVs are fully tested, restored to working order and sold at a significantly lower price.
Even though they can’t be advertised as ‘brand new’, these TVs still deliver the full performance you’d expect from the manufacturer.
A TV may be graded because:
-
The original packaging was damaged during transit
-
The box was opened and resealed
-
The product was part of surplus or overstock inventory
-
It was returned within a cooling-off period
-
It has minor cosmetic imperfections that do not affect viewing performance
How Are Graded TVs Graded?
Graded TVs are assigned a letter or ‘grade’ to make it easier for customers to know whether a TV is in pristine condition or whether it’s been heavily used. This is because graded TVs can’t be marketed as brand new. Assigning them a grade (either A, B or C) based on their cosmetic condition and the reason for their return gives customers confidence in what they are purchasing.
All TVs are thoroughly inspected and tested before being assigned a grade.
The Graded TVs Grading System
Grade A (Like New/Pristine):
Usually, Grade A TVs are unwanted gifts or cancelled orders where the box has been opened, but the screen and casing remain pristine. A Grade A TV is effectively in as-new condition with no visible signs of wear.
Grade B (Good/Light Wear):
There may be a few minor cosmetic blemishes on a Grade B TV, such as very faint scratches, scuffs, or marks on the bezel or stand. That said, the screen is typically clear when turned on.
Grade C (Fair/Heavily Used):
Grade C listed televisions will be the most heavily discounted among graded TVs as they have noticeable cosmetic wear such as deeper scratches on the casing or a small scuff on the screen. However, Grade C TVs are still thoroughly tested and in perfect working order.
At Electronic World, we assign all of our TVs a grade so that you can be confident that you know what condition the TV you’re purchasing is in.
Why Do Graded TVs Cost Less?
Retailers can only sell products as ‘brand new’ if they meet strict packaging and presentation standards, so if there is damage to the box or it has been returned, it can prevent a TV from being sold at full retail price.
This means that the price is reduced significantly despite the TV itself being in perfect working order.
Examples include the outer box having dents and tears despite the TV inside remaining fully functional, TVs being returned after a customer changes their mind, or leftover stock needing to be sold at a cheaper price to make room for newer models. Occasionally, a TV may have small cosmetic marks that are difficult to notice during normal use and so would be rated either B or C.
Importantly, none of these reasons affect picture quality, sound quality, or reliability.
Are Graded TVs Faulty?
In short, no, graded TVs are not automatically faulty. This is perhaps the biggest myth surrounding graded TVs.
At Electronic World TV, every graded television undergoes a comprehensive testing process before it reaches a customer.
This process includes checks for:
-
Screen performance
-
Pixel quality
-
Sound functionality
-
Connectivity ports
-
Smart TV features
-
Remote control operation
-
General functionality
Only products that meet strict quality standards are approved for sale.
This means you can enjoy the same stunning picture quality, gaming performance, streaming capabilities, and smart features you'd expect from a brand-new model.
Why Are More Buyers Choosing Graded TVs?
Customers are becoming more value-conscious, and are increasingly realising that lower prices do not always mean lower quality. In fact, choosing a graded TV means that you can save a significant amount of money off the retail price when you understand that packaging imperfections do not necessarily mean lower quality.
At Electronic World, we work with trusted suppliers and industry channels to stock retail returns, surplus TVs, or open-box products, and pass on the substantial savings directly to our customers.
Not only that, but we offer:
-
Rigorous testing to ensure that each TV performs as expected
-
Warranty protection for additional peace of mind
-
Secure delivery to ensure that TVs aren’t damaged in transit
-
As well as transparent product information, so you know what grade of TV you're purchasing.
This combination of savings and protection is what makes graded TVs an increasingly popular option for customers.
So, next time you’re shopping for a TV, don’t overlook graded TV deals. It could just be the smartest TV upgrade you make.
